Area of Refuge

Its 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
How does Area of Refuge
Help?
 What is an Area of
Refuge?
A safe, out of the Websters dictionary defines Refuge as:
way area where a shelter or protection from danger or
distress
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
 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)
Instructions on
The Remote Call use, and location of
Box provides two- the area and
way Remote Call Box
communications must be posted
between with raised, braille
occupants and lettering
building
emergency
personnel. When
activated,
additional outside
lines will be dialed
to notify 911 or a
call center via pre-
recorded message
 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
A large floor decal is
typically not
required, but it
makes locating an
Area of Refuge much
easier, especially for
people with impaired
17 diameter Self-
Stick Floor Decal 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.

1007.6.3Two-Way Communication.Areas of Refuge shall be provided with a two-way communication system complying with Sections 1007.8.1 and 1007.8.2.

1007.8Two-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)

1007.8.1System 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.

1007.8.2Directions.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.

1007.9Signage.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)

1007.11Instructions.Inareas of refugeand 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
Its 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