Disabled Refuge System – Emergency Voice Communication
Refuge Alerter
BS5839-9 compliant
Flexible system
Perfect for retrofitting
Building managers have a duty of care to provide everyone in their building with a safe means of escape.
Disabled people’s safety in the event of a building’s emergency evacuation should be paramount. Many disabled people or people with reduced mobility use passenger lifts to access various floors in multi-storey buildings. However, non-fire rated lifts should not be used in an emergency, potentially leaving people stranded on upper floors.
In this situation, building management or fire marshalls will need to know when and where people need assistance.
This is where Emergency Voice Communication systems (EVC systems) such as Refuge Alerter become important.
What is Refuge Alerter?
Refuge Alerter® is our digital, radio-based emergency voice communication system (EVC system).
Refuge Alerter is designed to be installed in building refuge areas to support safe evacuation of people from these areas in the event of an emergency.
The system enables people requiring help evacuating to call from ‘Outstations’ (located in building refuge areas) to ‘Master Stations’ (located at response points), in order to communicate their needs.
Video transcript: If there was a fire in your building, how would you communicate remotely with people who need help evacuating… such as wheelchair users or people with reduced mobility?
At Alerter Group, we provide lifesaving technology for use during emergencies. Such as our radio-based Refuge Alerter system, which can be used to speak with people in emergency refuge areas – helping fulfil legal safety requirements.
Refuge Alerter’s radio-based, meaning installation is really easy…. even in old or listed buildings.
The system can even be used across large sites.
Plus, it’s compliant with BS5839-9.
Want to know more?
Get in touch for a free consultation.
Benefits of a radio-based disabled refuge system
Installing a radio-based disabled refuge system (EVC system) as opposed to a hardwired system means:
- RNo need for costly cabling to be run through buildings
- RQuicker and less disruptive to install in working buildings
- RIdeal for retrofitting (perfect for new, historic and listed buildings)
Each Refuge Alerter system uses a unique, licensed radio frequency. This means that hand-held, portable radio devices (known as Portable Refuge Communicators’ or ‘PRCs’) can be included in Refuge Alerter systems.
PRCs enable responders to communicate ‘on the move’ with people at refuge-based Outstations. PRCs can take over communication from theBuilding Base station should that location become compromised.
Cost-effective | Fast installation | Minimal disruption
Refuge Alerter system
- Refuge Outstation
- Master Station
- Portable Refuge Communicator
- Alternative Outstations
- PC Master Station
- Disabled Toilet alarms
- Additional alarms
Easy to press 'Push-button'
Braille identification
Induction loop installed (for hearing aid users)
Visual light indication of call answered
Photoluminescent front panel
Ringing tone while call waiting
Refuge Outstation
Refuge communication point
User-friendly outstations from which people requiring assistance can communicate by voice with respondents at Master Stations.
User friendly
Designed to be used by people with physical and sensory disabilities.
High quality audio
Our digital radio technology allows high-quality audio to and from the Outstation.
Cost-effective
No expensive cabling means our Outstations are a great solution, especially for retrofits.
Easy to install
Our radio-based Outstation installations keep disruption and mess to a minimum.
Fully monitored
Fully monitored (mains, 24-hour battery backup, radio link)
Weather-resistant options
For outdoor refuge and help point locations
Easy to use, intuitive, touchscreen interface
'Quick access', sytem control row, with light indicators
Handset can be used as an alternative to in-built microphone
Built-in microphone activated by the touchscreen
Master Station
Central communication point
For showing and controlling communications with refuge Outstations.
Communication can be with an individual Outstation, an instantly-created group. or all Outstations.
Our touchscreen Master Station allows up to 999 outstations to be managed from one unit. The touchscreen interface allows easy management of all outstations.
Reliable
Our Master Station is mains-powered with a battery backup.
Voice communication
You can communicate to an individual, a combination of, or all Outstations via the in-built microphone/handset.
Flexible system
Allows for easy expansion to future areas or buildings - with up to 999 outstations able to be added to the system.
Total system control
Provides full control over the system, with call answering, remote listening and more.
Remote listening to an Outstation can be carried out even if that Outstation hasn't been activated manually.
Portable Refuge Communicator
Communication on the move
Our Portable Refuge Communicators (PRCs) provides fire marshals and building managers with two-way voice communication between Refuge Outstations or Master Stations - even from outside the building.
This feature would be extremely important if the Master Station location became compromised with smoke or fire.
System Communication
Allows communication with one or multiple Outstations, as well as the Master Station – either individually or all at once.
Multiple handsets can be used with the Refuge Alerter system.
Easy to use
Easy to use, intuitive system allows a quick selection or change of Outstation.
Rechargeable Battery
The Portable Refuge Communicator has a strong battery life and is rechargeable, with a docking station provided.
Multi-channel optional
Multi-channel to enable (UHF/VHF) estates/security radio channels to be used on the same radio (subject to compatibility).
Alternative Outstations
Our user-friendly Outstations are also available in alternative colours and styles. These alternative Outstations can be used to add more functionality to a system, form their own standalone system or allow installation in listed or historic buildings.
Emergency (Red)
Usually installed in high-risk locations where emergencies may occur, like Laboratories.
Help Point (Blue)
Placed around a building to add additional comms points, commonly found in disabled toilets.
Bespoke (Wooden)
Perfect for listed or historic buildings where regulations impact installation finishes.
Same functionality
All alternatives have the same functionality and integration as our fire refuge Outstations.
PC Master Station (PCMS)
Our PCMS software provides a full system overview and gives total control of a Master Station or multiple Master Stations. This is ideal for a security control room overseeing a campus of buildings.
Two-way Communication
Allows two-way voice communication via a desk microphone and speaker.
Intuitive Software
The software is simple to use with an intuitive pop-up system giving full control.
Additional Integration
Additional alert inputs can be used on the software, e.g disabled toilet alarms.
Additional Information
'More info' button can be used to load campus or building maps with refuge locations.
Disabled Toilet Alarms
The system runs as a self-contained alarm system within a WC but also connects to the Refuge Alerter system to allow a central notification of activation. The connection to the Refuge Alerter system can be via cable or our self-contained radio links.
BS8300 Compliant
The ‘Call Accept’ function complies with BS8300:2018.
Central Notification
Receive a central notification of alarm activation on a Master Station or PCMS.
Quick Installation
We can install toilet alarms using a radio link, making installation quick & easy.
Full System
The full disabled toilet alarm system includes; pull cord, buzzer, reset & call controller.
Additional Alarm Integration
Refuge Alerter® is an extremely versatile radio-based emergency communication system. The fact that it is radio-based enables fast and easy integration with many different systems, allowing notifications to be received via the Master Station or Portable Communicator.
Fire Alarms
Push Button Panic Alarms
Room Temperature Sensors
Older Refuge Systems
Success stories:
Frequently asked questions:
Why should I use a radio-based system?
Our radio-based solutions have a few great advantages that make them perfect for nearly all scenarios. Radio-based means we can be on-site (and back off!) very quickly, at any stage of a project, causing minimum disruption. We have no need for expensive cabling, and can also cover multiple building sites very easily.
Can I add to the system at a later date?
Yes! A wireless EVC system is ideal for future flexibility. Being radio-based, Refuge Alerter has the ability to be positioned in practical locations, with no disruption to the established network. Our Master Station allows integration of up to 999 refuge locations or Wireless Toilet Alarms, meaning you can conveniently add to your project at any time.
Can the system be moved if we move buildings?
Yes! Without the need for hard wiring, Refuge Alerter can be relocated without disturbing the structural composition of any current or future building.
What building regulations are covered?
Refuge Alerter is fully compliant with a number of British Standards, these include: BS5839-9, BS9999, BS8300 and Building Regulations Part B.
Is this the same as a hard-wired solution?
Overall, Refuge Alerter provides the same service and protection as a traditional hard-wired system, however, installing our radio-based solution eliminates all of the disruptive, lengthy, and costly pitfalls of installing hard-wired systems.
What is a disabled refuge and do I need one?
Building managers have a duty of care to provide everyone in the building with a means of escape. With varying levels of mobility, some people may not be able to use the building’s emergency staircase. Therefore, a refuge (temporary waiting area) is recommended under BS9999 and Building Regulations Part B.
Do you offer bespoke systems?
YES. We offer systems tailored to your specific needs and our bespoke solutions make Refuge Alerter perfect for a range of locations – from new builds to listed and historic venues.
Can this system be installed by anyone?
All of our installations are carried out by our radio-expert engineers. We have a dedicated team of specialists across the UK, who can have your systems up and running as quickly as possible.
Customers include:
Resource Zone
For disability awareness, building regulation information and specific product knowledge, visit our Resource Zone.
Schedule an appointment
Our specialist consultants are on hand to help you with any project requirements or questions. Our team are available to visit your site / organisation in-house to discuss your project plans, or via video & phone appointments, pricing projects from specification or building plans.
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