Disabled Refuge Systems
Disabled refuge alarm systems and disabled toilet alarm systems play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of individuals in various locations throughout your site.
Suitable for all commercial premises – including offices, retail spaces, educational buildings and recreational environments – our disabled refuge systems enable clear two-way communication between refuge points and the central control panel during an incident.
At Octopus Safeguard, we supply and install British designed and manufactured technologies from Baldwin Boxall, which lead the way in safety, innovation, and reliability. Our engineers service locations in Essex, Suffolk, and the surrounding areas.
Speak to us today to find out more and to discuss and obtain a quotation for your disabled refuge system requirements.
Product sourcing
Supply and design
Full installation
Testing & commissioning
Ongoing maintenance
Emergency repairs
Why do you need a refuge alarm system and/or disabled toilet alarm system?
All non-domestic buildings with disabled toilets and those with more than one storey must provide safe evacuation procedures for all occupants.
A disabled refuge system is a crucial part of this responsibility. It provides a designated safe area (typically a fire-resistant space near escape routes) where individuals who cannot use stairs during an emergency can wait for assistance. These areas are equipped with a two-way communication system that allows building management or emergency services to stay in contact with those inside, offering reassurance while they wait for a coordinated rescue.
Installing a compliant disabled refuge system will ensure your building meets the requirements of UK fire safety and building regulations, including the Equality Act 2010, BS 5839-9, and Building Regulations Approved Document B. Compliance demonstrates that your business has made reasonable provisions for all individuals’ safety, reducing liability and ensuring inclusivity within the workplace.
If you don’t install or maintain a compliant system, the consequences can be serious. In the event of a fire or emergency, people with mobility impairments may be left without a safe means of communication or evacuation, which will put their lives at risk. In addition, non-compliance can lead to enforcement action by local authorities or the Fire and Rescue Service, resulting in fines, prosecution, or closure of the premises.
Baldwin Boxall’s Disabled Toilet and Emergency Assistance Alarm systems are designed to enhance safety and accessibility. They are a vital addition to disabled toilet, offering the communication means for rapid assistance during emergencies.
When someone using a disabled toilet requires emergency assistance, such as after a fall, they can activate the alarm, which is instantly relayed to a monitored designated central control unit, typically located in a reception or security control office. The appropriate personnel can then be directed to assist the individual.
Why choose Octopus Safeguard?
Specialist expertise
Rely on us to produce bespoke systems that meet all your compliance requirements.
Integrated solutions
Link your refuge alarm system to your wider security network for maximum effectiveness.
Compliant installations
Systems adhere to the Equality Act 2010 & BS 5839-9 and are Building Regulations approved.
Refuge Systems FAQs
A disabled refuge system provides a safe, two-way communication point for individuals who cannot easily use the stairs during an emergency evacuation. It allows people with mobility challenges to wait safely in a designated refuge area while maintaining direct contact with emergency personnel. This system is essential for ensuring compliance with building safety regulations and providing a genuinely inclusive evacuation plan.
A disabled toilet and emergency assistance alarm system provides a safe and if required a two-way communication point for individuals requiring emergency assistance whilst using a disabled toilet.
Under UK fire safety and building regulations, any non-domestic building with multiple storeys, such as offices, schools, hospitals, and commercial premises, must provide safe refuge areas and an effective communication system for people with disabilities. Installing a compliant system helps your business meet its legal responsibilities under the Equality Act and Fire Safety Order.
Each refuge point includes a wall-mounted intercom unit that connects directly to a central control panel, typically located at the main reception or security control office. In an emergency, someone in the refuge area can press a button to instantly speak with emergency staff, ensuring they receive updates and reassurance while awaiting evacuation assistance.
Similarly, someone using a disabled toilet who requires assistance can alert emergency staff by pulling a pull cord which connects directly to a central control panel, typically located at the main reception or security control office.
Our refuge systems can typically integrate seamlessly with your existing fire alarm, public address, and emergency lighting systems. This ensures clear coordination during evacuations and enhances overall building safety management.
Absolutely. Regular maintenance is vital to ensure your system works correctly in an emergency. We offer scheduled inspections, testing, and certification services to keep your refuge system fully operational and compliant with British Standards (BS 5839-9), which governs guidance for emergency voice communication (EVC) systems for buildings.
Installation times will vary depending on your building’s layout and system size. We will discuss and agree an installation and commissioning timetable with you and will always endeavour to work around your schedule to minimise disruption to your organisation.
Contact us now
Learn more about our refuge alarm and disabled WC alarm systems and get tailored advice from our team.