In publicly accessible buildings, during a fire alarm emergency, elevators are inaccessible. The “Area of Refuge” or “Area of Rescue Assistance” concept was established to provide a safe location for building occupants, who cannot traverse the stairs without assistance, to assemble and await help or instruction from first responders. This designated space requires a \u200btwo-way communication system for assisted rescue during an emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An Emergency Communication System for Rescue Assistance is required, by industry standards NFPA, IBC and ADA, at each elevator or bank of elevators, on each accessible floor above\/below exit discharge, so the trapped parties can call for rescue assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the function of the area doesn\u2019t change, the location and terminology used sometimes does. The safe location, in interior stairwells, elevator landings, or building exteriors, can be referred to as an ‘Area of Refuge<\/strong>‘, ‘Area of Rescue Assistance<\/strong>‘ or ‘Elevator Landing Two-Way Emergency Communication<\/strong>‘<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Area of Refuge<\/strong> (Interior Stairwells<\/strong>) ![]() Required signs state ‘Area of Refuge’<\/strong> ![]() <\/td> | Elevator Landings<\/strong> (Emergency Communication<\/strong>)![]() Required signs state ‘Emergency Communication’<\/strong> ![]()
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