Designing life safety systems with inclusion at the heart is paramount. This ensures everyone, regardless of ability, has an equal chance of evacuating safely. This is especially crucial in schools and hospitals, where vulnerable individuals are often present – it is also imperative in dangerous working environments where people might be working in noisy environments such as factories. Visual fire alarms alongside audible ones can be lifesavers in these scenarios, while lowered fire call points and clear signage in multiple formats – like Braille or audio recordings – empower everyone to raise the alarm and understand evacuation routes. By prioritising accessibility, we can create a truly inclusive environment that protects everyone in an emergency.
Why accessibility and inclusivity matter
Fire can strike anywhere, and everyone deserves to feel safe and have a clear path to escape in an emergency. Accessible fire detection systems are crucial for achieving equity and fairness in fire safety. Imagine someone with limited mobility trapped on an upper floor without access to an elevator or consider someone deaf or hard of hearing unaware of a fire due to the lack of visual alarms. By ensuring all fire detection systems are inclusive, we guarantee everyone has an equal chance to escape a fire and reach safety.
Across the UK and Europe, we have regulations in place that mandate accessible life safety features in public buildings.
For example, Visual Alarm Devices (VADs) are an essential component to most fire alarm systems, providing a visual indication of an alarm condition to those people who wouldn’t normally be alerted to a fire by standard audible-only devices such as sounders and bells. The Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 made the inclusion of VADs mandatory in all public buildings, and BS EN 54-23 has been in force since 2014 here in the UK, standardising the requirements, test methods and performance of VADs, and ensuring their light output is measured in a uniform manner.
It’s important to also note that these regulations not only cover those who might have a disability, but it is essential in areas where people might be working in noisy environment where there is the need to wear ear defenders such as factories, foundries etc.
These regulations aren’t just a formality; they are vital to protecting lives. Inclusive fire detection systems must meet legal requirements and reduce the risk of fatalities and injuries during a fire. In an emergency, it can be difficult to stay calm, often feeling chaotic, so people rely on others for assistance. Accessible features like lowered fire alarms and clear signage, a diverse range of alarm devices, empower individuals to navigate independently, minimising confusion and panic, ultimately leading to a smoother and safer evacuation for everyone.
Solutions for diverse needs
Fire safety solutions should cater to diverse needs, ensuring everyone has equal access to escape routes and awareness of danger. The fire regulations in the UK for ensuring accessibility during a fire in a public building or workplace are primarily covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO). This applies to England and Wales.
The FSO places the responsibility for fire safety on the “responsible person”. This could be the owner, occupier, or anyone with control of the premises for example facilities manager.
The responsible person must conduct a fire risk assessment which identifies potential fire hazards and assess the risks posed to everyone in the building, including those with disabilities.
Based on the fire risk assessment, the responsible person must make “reasonable adjustments” to ensure the safety of people with disabilities. This can include a variety of measures to enhance accessibility during a fire.
For example, there are several challenges that must be considered in the layout, design and installation of Visual Alarm Devices. One challenge is the illumination of the entire open space where the alarm must be visible. The devices must produce sufficiently intense light so that an individual located anywhere in the space, looking either towards or away from the alarm, would be alerted in the event of an emergency.
Here are some examples of how accessibility can be addressed:
Physical Accessibility: Ramp access and elevators: Ensure all floors are accessible for those who have difficulty with stairs.
Wide doorways: Allow for easy passage of wheelchairs, walkers, and stretchers.
Lowered fire alarms and call points: Enable access for people with limited reach.
Visual fire alarms: Strobing lights alongside audible alarms for the deaf or hard of hearing.
Tactile signage and braille: Guide visually impaired individuals during evacuation.
Audio recordings of evacuation instructions: Provide clear instructions in a calm voice for those with difficulty reading. There are also devices which provide amplified voice messages to assist those with hearing difficulties during emergency announcements.
Clear pathways: Keep hallways and exits free from clutter for smooth movement.
Vibrating notification systems: Alert individuals with hearing impairments of an emergency.
High-contrast signage: Improve visibility for people with low vision.
Hochiki Europe offers several fire detection devices that can contribute to an accessible fire safety system in your building, specifically catering to those with visual or hearing impairments.
VADs (Visual Alarm Devices) can offer a powerful solution to alert everyone during a fire emergency. Here’s a breakdown of some of Hochiki Europe’s VAD range:
Hochiki EN54-23 Certified VADs: These VADs comply with the stringent EN54-23 European standard, guaranteeing their reliability and performance in fire emergencies.
High-Intensity Strobing Lights: Featuring bright, high-intensity strobing lights that can be easily seen from long distances, even in smoky conditions. This ensures a clear visual signal for those who may not hear the audible fire alarm.
Self-Contained Operation: Hochiki’s VADs are designed for loop-powered operation on compatible fire alarm systems. This eliminates the need for separate power supplies, simplifying installation and maintenance – helping to keep budgets under control.
Wide Range of Applications: Hochiki VADs are suitable for a variety of applications, including office buildings, schools, hospitals, and multi occupancy residential dwellings. The discreet design blends seamlessly with almost any environment from buildings of architectural importance to the latest in modern design.
In the UK, fire safety regulations emphasise the importance of accessibility in fire safety systems. Hochiki Europe’s VAD range provides a reliable and effective solution to ensure everyone in a building, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, or working in noisy environments are alerted during a fire. By incorporating VADs alongside traditional audible alarms, you can create a more inclusive environment and give everyone the best chance of evacuating safely in a fire emergency. Remember, for expert advice on fire safety systems and ensuring compliance with regulations, always consult a registered fire safety professional.
To learn more about visual added fire safety devices please visit the Hochiki website.
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