Emergency voice communication (EVC) systems are designed to ensure clear and reliable communication during emergencies, particularly in buildings or areas where people might be isolated or unable to evacuate without assistance.
These systems typically include components such as fire telephone systems, which allow direct communication between key locations within a building and emergency control points, and disabled refuge systems. Overall, EVC systems play a vital role in the safety management of buildings, facilitating effective communication and coordination in crisis situations.
Disabled Refuge
Disabled refuge systems provide a means for people who cannot easily use standard escape routes to call for help from designated safe areas. Disabled Refuge points are typically equipped with communication systems that connect directly to a building’s control point, ensuring that those in the refuge can communicate with emergency responders or building management. These systems are crucial in multi-storey buildings, ensuring that, during an evacuation, communication remains possible with those who may be awaiting assistance.
In the UK, the installation of disabled refuge systems is mandated by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and BS 9999:2017. These regulations require that disabled refuges be provided in all new buildings with more than one storey where the evacuation strategy involves the use of phased or delayed evacuation. This ensures that individuals who need assistance are not left without a means of communication or safe haven during emergencies. These systems are critical for compliance with accessibility and safety standards.
Typical Applications
Disabled refuge systems are commonly found in a variety of commercial and public buildings where safety and accessibility are paramount. Some typical applications include:
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Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities
These locations are critical for refuge systems given the high likelihood of occupants who are disabled, elderly, or otherwise mobility-impaired.
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Educational Institutions
Schools, colleges, and universities with multi-storey buildings provide refuge areas to ensure the safety of all students, including those with disabilities.
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Hotels
Large hotels with multiple floors incorporate refuge areas to cater to guests who may need evacuation assistance.
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Office Buildings
Multi-storey office buildings often have refuge areas on each floor to accommodate employees and visitors who might need assistance during evacuations.
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Shopping Centres
Large shopping centres and malls install refuge systems to assist shoppers with mobility impairments during emergencies.
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Sports Arenas and Theatres
These venues often have extensive seating areas and multiple levels, making refuge systems essential for the safety of attendees with mobility issues.
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Transport Terminals
Airports, train stations, and bus terminals, where there are significant levels of foot traffic and large, complex building layouts, typically include disabled refuge areas to enhance safety.
Crisis Disabled Refuge Systems
The Crisis EVC system incorporates all aspects of emergency voice communication into one complete system. This includes master stations, fire telephones, disabled refuge and emergency assistance alarms.
Crisis EVC supports up to 64 panels and each panel provides up to eight lines of communication. This means a Crisis EVC system can support a total of 512 lines of communication. This makes it suitable for even the largest of applications, allowing multiple disabled refuges, emergency assistance alarms and fire telephones to all operate on, and be managed by, the same system.
Crisis EVC is easy to install and provides an easy-to-use, stylish and cost-effective solution.
Disabled Refuge Outstation Placement
Type B (Disabled Refuge) Outstations in the UK are mounted in compliance with BS 8300 and BS 9999 standards, ensuring accessibility for all users. They are typically installed at heights between 900mm to 1200mm above the floor level to accommodate both standing and wheelchair users. Outstations must be located in designated refuge areas near stairwells or exit routes, clearly signposted and visible, and the environment around them should be well-lit, free from obstructions, and covered. This setup ensures that, during emergencies, the refuge areas are accessible, functional, and directly linked to a central control point for effective communication.
Crisis Type B Refuge Outstations
The Crisis Green Type B Refuge Outstation is constructed from injection-moulded green polycarbonate and features a green flashing button to aid location. Operation is via a single call/cancel button, pressing it once activates the call, a second press cancels the call.
The Crisis Type B Outstation is designed to be used by the public as a disabled refuge call point. Type B outstations should be installed in disabled refuge locations to provide two-way communication between the master station and disabled refuge point.
Crisis Combined Type A & B Outstations can be used as a fire telephone or a disabled refuge call point. Crisis outstations are designed for use by multi-disability users, having high contrast signage in line with RNIB guidelines and an induction loop coil in the handset.
The Crisis Type B Refuge Induction Loop Outstation combines all the features of the Crisis Type B Refuge Outstation but with the addition of an induction loop to aid those that use a hearing aid or loop listener.
The Crisis Type B Weatherproof Outstation is designed for use in outdoor or exposed areas and is compatible with the Crisis standalone and network EVC systems. The outstation is supplied within a compact IP65 enclosure which is externally signed and is opened by operation of a lever lock, exposing the hands-free unit and operating instructions.
Why Choose Eurofyre?
- Complete System Supplier
- Eurofyre manufactures and supplies all aspects of fire detection and associated safety products and can provide expert advice and consultation.
- Demonstration and Training
- We offer demonstrations and expert training on a range of systems, including the Crisis range of EVC systems, in our very own sophisticated training facility.
- After-Sales Support
- Eurofyre offers both on-site and telephone support to assist you in ensuring that your system is fully functional and operating at maximum efficiency. Our after-sales care and support are second-to-none.
For more information about Crisis EVC, or to discuss any of the other products that Eurofyre have to offer, please feel free to get in touch either by phone on +44 (0) 1329 835 024, by email to [email protected] or via the online enquiry form situated on our contact page.
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