EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS ALERT TO ACTION
The introduction of BS 8629 has transformed how evacuation alert systems are viewed within high-rise residential buildings. Once considered a specialist requirement, they are now a key element of life safety design, with Building Regulations requiring evacuation alert systems in new residential developments over 18 metres in England and Scotland.
Evacuation alert systems are designed specifically to support fire and rescue services operating within buildings that follow a stay-put strategy. Unlike traditional fire alarm systems, they are not intended for routine use by occupants or building managers. Instead, they provide attending firefighters with a dedicated means of alerting residents should a partial or wider evacuation become necessary during an incident.
A recent example of this approach can be seen at John Street in Newham, a high-rise residential development comprising two buildings of differing heights. As part of a wider life safety installation delivered by Simple Life Safety Systems Limited, an EvacGo evacuation alert system was installed in each building to provide a compliant method of managing evacuation alerts when required.
Designed specifically to meet the recommendations of BS 8629, EvacGo gives fire and rescue services direct control over evacuation alert zones. The system enables alerts to be initiated to individual floors, multiple floors or wider areas of a building, allowing emergency responders to tailor their response to the developing situation.
At John Street, this flexibility was particularly important. The development comprises both a 14-storey and a four- storey residential block, each with its own evacuation alert requirements. Installing dedicated EvacGo panels in both buildings ensured the fire and rescue service would have immediate access to a reliable evacuation alert solution, while maintaining the stay-put strategy that underpins the building’s fire design.
John Newton, Director of Life Safety at Simple Group, commented: “John Street was a complex residential project that required careful coordination between smoke control and evacuation alert systems. Using EvacGo allowed us to deliver a fully compliant solution that aligns with the fire strategy while giving the fire and rescue service the tools they need to manage incidents safely and effectively.”
A key principle of BS 8629 is that evacuation alert systems should remain independent from fire detection and alarm systems. This helps prevent confusion during emergency situations and ensures evacuation decisions remain firmly under the control of attending firefighters. To support this requirement, EvacGo is housed within a robust, security- rated enclosure that can only be accessed by authorised personnel using a restricted key system.
Ease of operation is equally important. During an incident, firefighters need to be able to identify and activate evacuation alert zones quickly, often while wearing personal protective equipment. EvacGo’s simple controls, clear LED indication and zone-based operation have been
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Shaun Scott, Applications Engineer Emergency Evacuation Systems at Advanced, looks at the options for supporting safer high-rise residential buildings.
designed with this in mind, providing immediate visibility of system status and allowing evacuation strategies to be implemented with confidence.
The system also offers significant flexibility for designers and installers. Wired, wireless and hybrid configurations are available, and compatibility with leading device protocols enables solutions to be tailored to the specific requirements of a building. This flexibility can be particularly valuable on complex residential developments where installation constraints or operational considerations vary between projects.
As the residential sector continues to evolve, evacuation alert systems are becoming an increasingly important component of modern life safety strategies. Projects such as John Street demonstrate how compliant evacuation alert solutions can support both resident safety and operational effectiveness, providing fire and rescue services with the tools they need to make informed decisions when every second counts.
To learn more about EvacGo and how it can help support compliance with BS 8629 in high-rise residential buildings visit the website below.
The page includes technical information, case studies, CPD resources and guidance on evacuation alert system design and specification.
www.advancedco.com
https://www.advancedco.com/product/evacgo-evacuation-alert-system
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