1. Area of Refuge It’s the Law!
42 Central Drive
Farmingdale NY
Toll-Free Phone:

2. 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).

3. Why is Area of Refuge Needed?
Dangerous Egress Area
No waiting area away from main walking path
No communication devices for communication with emergency personnel
No Instructions or Directional Signage

4. How does Area of Refuge Help?

5. 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”

6. 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.

7. The Remote Call Box(es)
Instructions on use, and location of the area and Remote Call Box must be posted with raised, braille lettering
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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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).
is the section of the code that requires this.

14. 17” diameter Self-Stick Floor Decal
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 vision, or in limited-sight situations.
17” diameter Self-Stick Floor Decal

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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: 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) The remote Area of Refuge stations and the central control point (AlphaRefuge™ Base Stations) shall communicate with each other 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 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 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 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.

18. IBC Requirements
IBC 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 Two-Way Communication. Areas of Refuge shall be provided with a two-way communication system complying with Sections and 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 and 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 (Stairwell Areas of Refuges) 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 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 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 , 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) 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.

19. Area of Refuge It’s the Law!
THANK YOU for your interest
42 Central Drive
Farmingdale NY
Toll-Free Phone: