A direct line between an area of refuge and emergency personnel.
Real-time, two-way voice communication systems that meet ADA and fire code requirements — so anyone waiting in an area of refuge can reach help immediately.
What goes into a compliant area of refuge system
Building codes require an area of refuge, sometimes called an area of rescue assistance, on multi-story buildings where an elevator can't be relied on for evacuation during a fire, most often for occupants who use wheelchairs or otherwise can't use stairs. Simply designating that space isn't enough. The ADA and IBC also require a two-way emergency communication system inside every area of refuge, so anyone waiting there can call for help and be heard by emergency personnel, and so responders can confirm someone is still waiting and coming to get them.
That communication link has to work under real emergency conditions: it has to be reachable at the correct mounting height for wheelchair users, it has to be clearly marked with compliant signage, and in most jurisdictions it has to connect either directly to the fire command center, to a constantly staffed location in the building, or to a central monitoring station. Getting any of those wrong can mean a failed inspection or, worse, a system nobody can actually use in a real emergency.
We design every area of refuge system around the specific code cycle and AHJ requirements your building falls under, since ADA and IBC requirements have been revised across multiple code cycles and local jurisdictions layer their own amendments on top. That includes correct panel placement and mounting height, audible and visible annunciation at the receiving end, and backup power so the system keeps working through a power outage, which is exactly when it's most likely to be needed.
Area of refuge systems also require periodic testing under fire code, and the documentation has to be available for fire inspections. We handle both the installation and the ongoing testing and certification, so building owners and property managers aren't left tracking code requirements or renewal schedules on their own.
We've installed and maintained area of refuge systems across office towers, parking structures, hospitals, and mixed-use developments throughout the region, and we treat every one of these systems as life-safety equipment, not a code checkbox. If your building has an area of refuge with no working communication system, an outdated panel, or a system that's never been tested, we can survey it and bring it up to current code.