Current Building Regulations insist that all new non-domestic buildings with more than one storey provide ‘refuge’ areas – relatively safe places where people who cannot easily use fire escapes and evacuation lifts can call for assistance and wait until help arrives.

Simple, effective two-way communication in these areas is essential, firstly to assist rescue teams in determining where assistance is required and secondly to reassure people help is on the way.

Disabled Refuge Systems are called for by:

Building regulations approved document B (Fire Safety) volume 2, section 4: Design for vertical escapes

BS5588 Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings: part 8: code of practice for for means of escape for disabled people

Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety Order) Oct 2005 risk assessments undertaken by the responsible person must make provision for means of escape for disabled people. supplementary guide: means of escape for disabled people, written in association with the disability rights commission.