Home - Disabled Refuge

Disabled refuge systems are designed for use in buildings that contain refuge areas. This type of intercom system allows emergency services to be in constant contact with the people in the refuge areas who seek assistance. The Disability Discrimination Act made it the responsibility of all companies, nationwide, to ensure that access to buildings and services is available to everyone – there must be no discrimination.

With access provided for all, provision must be made for safe evacuation in the event of an emergency. In some circumstances, those with physical impairments can be assisted by others – but in many situations this is not suitable or safe.

A solution comes in the form of temporary areas of safety – ‘refuge areas’. The person in need of assistance is helped to the closest refuge area and awaits safe evacuation. Refuge areas must meet certain criteria, these are covered in BS9999:2008. As well as describing suitable areas for refuge and the type of construction, the Standard specifies the need for two way communication.

An EVC (emergency voice communication) or Disabled Refuge System allows firefighters and others to communicate with one another during emergency situations.

The system also allows communication with disabled persons.It is a “system that allows voice communication in either direction between a central control point and a number of other points throughout a building or building complex, particularly under the direction of management of firefighters.” (BS5839-9:2003 3.3).