Current Building Regulations require all new non-domestic buildings with more than one storey to provide ‘refuge’ areas – safe places where people who cannot easily use fire escapes and evacuation lifts can call for assistance and wait until help arrives.

An Emergency Voice Communication System (EVCS) provides reliable two-way communication between one or more permanently manned control rooms and refuge areas on the site in a fire emergency.

The EVCS comprises fire telephone and disabled refuge systems. Whereas a fire telephone system is for use by trained personnel as part of the fire safety procedures at the site, a Disabled Refuge System is used by anyone requiring assistance from a trained operator during an emergency.

A Disabled Refuge System differs from a standard telephone or intercom system in that a call point will connect automatically upon either lifting a handset or pressing a call/answer button. The system also benefits from battery backup power in case of mains failure to ensure reliable access to help.

Disabled Refuge Systems are required in order to comply with various fire safety and escape precautions stated in The Building Regulations Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2, section 3 and their installation, commisioning and maintenance is governed by BS 5839 Part 9.

As part of a ‘life safety’ system, the correct design and maintenance of a Disabled Refuge System is essential. If you need any advice, please get in touch.