Area of Refuge
It’s the Law!
www.AlphaRefuge.com
42 Central Drive
Farmingdale NY 11735-1202
Toll-Free Phone: 1-800-666-4800
www.AlphaCommunications.com
What is the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA)?
• On July 26, 1990 the Americans with Disabilities Act (also know as the
ADA) was signed into U.S. Federal law, and it includes a requirement for
Area of Refuge communication system(s).
– In an Emergency, stairways become the primary means of exit, making
building egress for the disabled a difficult task. This puts their safety and the
safety of others at risk.
– These residents / visitors need to alert emergency personnel as to their
location for the most effective rescue possible.
– The ADA requires 2-way voice communications at each “Area of Refuge” (a.k.a.
Area of Rescue Assistance), and proper signage to guide people to those
designated areas.
– An Area of Refuge system is required in any new Commercial Building with
more than one floor (above or below the main floor).
Why is Area of Refuge Needed?
Dangerous Egress Area
1. No waiting area away
from main walking
path
2. No communication
devices for
communication with
emergency personnel
3. No Instructions or
Directional Signage
How does Area of Refuge Help?
What is an “Area of Refuge”?
A safe, out of the way
area where voice
communication can be
established. This area
must provide the same
protection and fire
rating as the stairwell
Occupants that require
assistance are not in
the way of the main
walk-path. They are
safely out of the way
until help arrives,
while allowing others
to safely evacuate
Webster’s dictionary defines Refuge as:
“a shelter or protection from danger or distress”
Directional Signage
Signage (with arrows
when needed) directing
those who need
assistance to the Remote
Call Box. Must display
“Area of Refuge” with
raised lettering and
braille. Many of these
signs are available in
lighted and/or
photoluminescent
versions as well.
The Remote Call Box(es)
The Remote Call Box
provides two-way
communications
between occupants
and building
emergency personnel.
When activated,
additional outside lines
will be dialed to notify
911 or a call center via
pre-recorded message
Instructions on use, and
location of the area and
Remote Call Box must
be posted with raised,
braille lettering
AlphaRefuge™ Systems
• Can dial up to 5 Outside Lines for emergency
notification (depending on models chosen)
• Meet all requirements of ADA, ASME, IBC and NFPA
• Standard Battery Backup (up to 4 hours of
operation)
• Master phone can call into all or individual call
box(es) as needed
• Can join in existing conversations between call
box(es) and outside world
• Can hang-up and original conversation will continue
AlphaRefuge™ 2100 Series
• Up to 10 Remote Call Boxes
• Stainless Steel Panel or
Cabinet Mounted Command
Centers (Flush or Surface)
• Various Remote Call Box
types including, Stainless
Steel, Powder Coated, and
NEMA outdoor stations
• Full line of signage also
available to meet all signage
requirements from the AHJ
AlphaRefuge™ 2400 Series
• Up to 112 (or more) Remote
Call Boxes
• PBX – Based Technology
– All Required Hardware Included
• Cabinet Mounted Command
Centers (Flush or Surface)
• Various Remote Call Box types
including, Stainless Steel,
Powder Coated, and NEMA
outdoor stations
• Full line of signage also
available to meet all signage
requirements from the AHJ
Directional Signage
Depending on the size of
the building, directional
signage may be required
to get the occupants to
the nearest Area of
Refuge location.
Area of Refuge Signage
• Tactile Signage or Raised-Letter
and Braille signage is required at
the entrance of the Area of
Refuge to designate the area as
such.
• If Exit sign illumination is required
(by the local AHJ), Area of Refuge
signs must be illuminated as well.
Signs shall be mounted at
Entrance of Area of Refuge usually
under 80” to comply with
character and proportion sizes.
Location Signage
• Braille/Raised-Letter
Instructions on the use of
the area during an
emergency are required in
the actual Area of Refuge
location (we recommend
next to the call box).
• 1007.11 is the section of the
code that requires this.
Floor Signage
17” diameter Self-Stick
Floor Decal
• A large floor decal is
typically not required, but
it makes locating an Area
of Refuge much easier,
especially for people with
impaired vision, or in
limited-sight situations.
Who Specifies Area of Refuge
System Requirements?
• ADAAG
Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibilities Guidelines
• NFPA
National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
• IBC
International Building Codes
Specific requirements listed at the end of the slideshow
ADAAG Requirements
101 Section 7.2:
The Area of Refuge must be equipped with a two-way communication system with
both visual and audible signals provided in each Area of Refuge assistance. The Area of
Refuge must have adequate signage that directs the occupants to the area. The ADA
guidelines apply to new buildings and significant remodels for public accommodations
and commercial facilities with stories above or below the main ground floor.
ADAAG 3.5 Defines the Area of Rescue Assistance as an area which has direct access
to an exit, where people who are unable to use stairs may remain temporarily in safety
to await further instructions or assistance during emergency evacuation.
Audible signals can include voice output or recorded messages. A button that lights to
indicate that help is on its way is an acceptable visual signal.
NFPA Requirements
101 section 7.2:
Each Area of Refuge must be provided with a two-way communication system between the Area of Refuge and a central control point (AlphaRefuge™
Command Centers).
Each Area of Refuge must be identified by a sign stating “AREA OF REFUGE” and displaying the international symbol of accessibility.
Signs must be installed at all exits not providing accessible means of egress and where otherwise necessary to clearly indicate the direction of the Area of
Refuge.
72 section 24:
24.5.3.2 The Area of Refuge (rescue assistance) emergency communications system shall be comprised of remotely located Area of Refuge stations and a
central control point. (AlphaRefuge™ Command Centers)
24.5.3.3 The remote Area of Refuge stations and the central control point (AlphaRefuge™ Base Stations) shall communicate with each other.
24.5.3.4 If the central control point is not constantly attended, it shall have a timed automatic communications capability to connect with a constantly
attended monitoring location acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction where responsible personnel can initiate the appropriate response.
24.5.3.5 The physical location of the central control point (AlphaRefuge™ Base Stations) shall be as designated by the building code in force or the
Authority Having Jurisdiction.
24.5.3.6 The Area of Refuge station shall provide for hands-free, two-way communication, provide an audible and visible signal to indicate communication
has occurred and indicate to the receiver the location sending the signal.
24.5.3.7 Instructions for the use of the two-way communications system and for summoning assistance via the two-way communications system and
written identification, including Braille, of the location shall be posted adjacent to the two-way communications system.
IBC Requirements
IBC-1007.9 Two Way Communications:
The 2009 International Building Code (IBC) now requires a two-way communication system on ALL NEW CONSTRUCTION for all Areas of Refuge regardless if they have a sprinkler system or not.
Also significant remodels or change of use of a building may require Areas of Refuge.
1007.6.3 Two-Way Communication. Areas of Refuge shall be provided with a two-way communication system complying with Sections 1007.8.1 and 1007.8.2.
1007.8 Two-Way Communication. A two-way communication system shall be provided at the elevator landing on each accessible floor that is one or more stories above or below the story of exit
discharge complying with Sections 1007.8.1 and 1007.8.2.
Exceptions:
1.) Two-way communication systems are not required at the elevator landing where the two-way communication system is provided within areas of refuge in accordance with section 1007.6.3
(Stairwell Areas of Refuges)
1007.8.1 System Requirements. Two-way communications shall provide communication between each required location (AlphaRefgue™ Call Boxes) and the fire command center or central
control point location
(AlphaRefgue™ Call Centers) approved by the fire department. Where the central control point is not constantly attended, a two-way communication system shall have a timed automatic
telephone dial-out capability to a monitoring location or 911. The two-way communication system shall include both audible and visible signals.
Note: Most local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) require two way off-site person to person voice communications.
1007.8.2 Directions. Directions for the use of the two-way communication system, instructions for summoning assistance via the two-way communication system and written identification of the
location shall be posted adjacent to the two-way communication system.
1007.9 Signage. Signage indicating special accessibility provisions shall be provided as shown:
1) Each door providing access to an area of refuge from the adjacent floor shall be identified by a sign stating: AREA OF REFUGE (Part #RSN7040)
Signage shall comply with the ICC A117.1 requirements for visual characters and include the International Symbol of Accessibility. Where exit sign illumination is required by Section 1011.2, the
signs shall be illuminated. (Part #RSN7050) Additionally, tactile signage complying with ICC A117.1 shall be located at each door to an Area of Refuge. (Part #RSN7044)
1007.11 Instructions. In areas of refuge and exterior areas for assisted rescue, instructions on the use of the area under emergency conditions shall be posted. The instructions shall include all of
the following:(Part #RSN7049)
1) Persons able to use the exit stairway do so as soon as possible, unless they are assisting others.
2) Information on planned availability of assistance in the use of stairs or supervised operation of elevators and how to summon such assistance.
3) Directions for use of the two-way communications system where provided.
Area of Refuge
It’s the Law!
THANK YOU for your interest
www.AlphaRefuge.com
42 Central Drive
Farmingdale NY 11735-1202
Toll-Free Phone: 1-800-666-4800
www.AlphaCommunications.com