Owais Crawford
An area of refuge is a designated location within a building designed to temporarily hold people who cannot use stairways during an emergency evacuation. These areas are typically fire-resistant and smoke-protected, equipped with communication systems to contact emergency personnel, and may also be referred to as areas of rescue assistance. Local building codes often require that public buildings and high-rises have an area of refuge on every floor above ground level, and the size of these areas may be regulated by local or state building codes. In the context of an airport, an area of refuge could serve as a safe waiting space for individuals with mobility challenges or those unable to use stairways during an emergency evacuation.
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What You'll Learn
Area of Refuge vs. Area of Rescue
An area of refuge is an interior safe waiting space for people during an emergency evacuation. It is a designated location within a building designed to hold people safely when evacuation may not be possible or is unsafe. For instance, patients in a hospital may be unable to use a stairwell to exit the building during a fire. People can wait in the area of refuge until rescued by firefighters or emergency teams.
The International Building Code (IBC) defines an area of refuge as:
> "an area where persons unable to use stairways can remain temporarily to await instructions or assistance during an emergency evacuation."
Areas of refuge must be fire-resistant and protected from smoke, and should be equipped with a form of communication to allow people to get in touch with emergency personnel. The size of an area of refuge determines how many wheelchair spaces a building requires.
An area of rescue, also known as an Exterior Area for Assisted Rescue, is outside a building. It should be open to the outside air, with open sides that minimise the accumulation of smoke or toxic gases. Stairways that are a means of egress for the Exterior Area of Assisted Rescue should provide a clear minimum width of 48 inches between handrails. This minimum width is not required when protected by a sprinkler system.
Single-story buildings that are level with the ground do not need refuge areas because everyone can exit the building unaided. However, an Exterior Area of Assisted Rescue should be provided when the exit route does not include an accessible route to a public way.
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Requirements for Areas of Refuge
An area of refuge is a designated location within a building designed to temporarily hold people who cannot use stairways during an emergency evacuation. These areas are typically fire-resistant and protected from smoke, allowing people to safely wait for emergency responders. Here are the key requirements for areas of refuge:
Location and Accessibility
Areas of refuge are typically located inside buildings to provide a safe waiting space during emergency evacuations. They are designed for individuals who cannot use stairways and need to await instructions or assistance. These areas should be easily accessible to those with disabilities, such as wheelchair users, and be located near a means of egress, such as an elevator, platform lift, ramp, or exterior area of rescue.
Fire Resistance and Smoke Protection
Areas of refuge must be constructed with fire-resistant materials to withstand fire and minimize the spread of flames. Additionally, these areas should be protected from smoke infiltration to ensure that occupants can breathe safely while waiting for emergency responders.
Communication Systems
Areas of refuge should be equipped with reliable communication systems, such as intercoms or two-way communication devices. These systems enable individuals to contact emergency personnel, notify them of their presence in the area of refuge, and request assistance. The communication systems should be regularly maintained and tested to ensure proper functioning during emergencies.
Wheelchair Accessibility
The size of the area of refuge determines the number of wheelchair spaces required. Each wheelchair space should have a minimum dimension of 30" x 48". The means of egress, such as doorways and hallways leading to the area of refuge, should also be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs. This ensures that individuals with mobility disabilities can safely access and utilize the area of refuge.
Compliance with Building Codes
Public buildings and high-rises are typically required by local building codes to have areas of refuge on every floor above ground level. New construction must comply with the most current regulations, such as the International Building Code (IBC), which mandates the inclusion of areas of refuge. However, existing buildings may be exempt from making alterations to meet these requirements.
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Who Uses Areas of Refuge
An area of refuge is a designated location within a building designed to temporarily hold people during an emergency when evacuation may not be safe or possible. These spaces are typically used by those who cannot use the stairs, such as patients in a hospital with a fire on the lower floors. These individuals can wait in the area of refuge until they are rescued or relieved by firefighters or emergency rescue teams. Areas of refuge must contain instructional signage that shows individuals how to use emergency communication systems to notify a building administrator that help is needed.
According to the International Building Code (IBC) Section 1007.3 Stairways, areas of refuge are required if the building does not meet certain exceptions, such as being equipped with an automatic sprinkler system or an ADA-compliant wheelchair-accessible route to exit the building. Local and state building codes may also have specific requirements for areas of refuge, such as the size of the space.
In the context of climate change, refuge spaces are also discussed as providing communal areas in multi-unit buildings when temperature and air quality are unsafe or uncomfortable in individual units. Additionally, areas of refuge can be found in critical facilities, such as military bases, power stations, and prisons, where operators cannot leave their stations during an emergency.
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Location of Areas of Refuge
An area of refuge is a designated location within a building designed to temporarily hold people who cannot use stairways during an emergency evacuation. These areas are typically fire-resistant and protected from smoke, allowing individuals to safely wait for emergency responders. They are also equipped with a form of communication, such as an intercom or a two-way device, enabling individuals to notify emergency personnel of their presence and request assistance.
In the context of airports, areas of refuge are essential for ensuring the safety of passengers and staff during emergency situations. Airports are vast and complex structures, with multiple levels and long concourses, which can pose challenges for evacuation, especially for individuals with mobility issues.
The specific locations of areas of refuge in an airport can vary depending on the airport's layout and design. However, they are typically strategically placed to provide easy access and accommodate individuals with mobility challenges. Here are some potential locations for areas of refuge in an airport:
- Near Exit Points: Areas of refuge are often located close to exit points, such as emergency exit doors or horizontal exits. This allows individuals to quickly reach a safe area and evacuate the building if necessary.
- Concourses and Gate Areas: Due to the high volume of passenger traffic and the potential for long distances between gates, areas of refuge may be designated along concourses or near gate areas. These locations provide a safe space for passengers who may need assistance while waiting for their flight or during an emergency evacuation.
- Near Elevators and Stairwells: In multi-level airports, areas of refuge may be located near elevators and stairwells, providing a safe gathering point for individuals who cannot use the stairs and need assistance to reach a different level.
- Central Areas: Some airports may designate central areas, such as large open spaces or lounges, as areas of refuge. These locations offer a gathering point that is easily accessible from various parts of the airport.
- Remote Areas: In some cases, areas of refuge may be located in more remote areas of the airport, such as near the ends of concourses or in maintenance areas. These locations can provide a safe haven for staff working in these areas during an emergency.
It is important to note that areas of refuge are not just for passengers but also for airport staff, including those who may be working in critical facilities and cannot leave their stations during an emergency. Airports must follow local and state building codes, ensuring that areas of refuge are properly signed, accessible, and equipped with the necessary communication systems to summon assistance. Regular testing and maintenance of these areas are crucial to ensure their effectiveness during emergency situations.
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Communication Systems in Areas of Refuge
An area of refuge is a designated location within a building designed to temporarily hold people who cannot use stairways during an emergency evacuation. These areas are typically fire-resistant and smoke-protected, allowing individuals to safely wait for emergency responders. These areas are particularly important for people with disabilities or mobility challenges, providing a safe space to call for help and await assistance.
The communication system in an area of refuge typically consists of a two-way communication device, such as an intercom, phone, or emergency call box. These devices allow individuals to contact a central control point or base station, where their call for help can be answered. In the event that the onsite base station does not answer, the call is forwarded to a third-party monitoring station or emergency services, ensuring a prompt response.
Some companies, such as Kings III, offer advanced emergency monitoring solutions for areas of refuge. Their system includes 24/7/365 emergency monitoring, with operators who are Advanced Emergency Medical Dispatcher (AEMD) certified and Red Cross CPR trained. This ensures that individuals in the area of refuge receive pre-arrival medical instruction and assistance while awaiting rescue.
Additionally, it is essential to have reliable two-way communication systems outside of the refuge areas within the building. This allows for effective communication and incident response throughout the entire property. Regular testing and maintenance of these communication systems are crucial to ensure their reliability in emergency situations.
In the context of airports, disabled refuge systems are essential to assist individuals with disabilities or those using wheelchairs during an emergency evacuation. Crisis EVC systems combine disabled refuge with other outstations, such as fire telephones and emergency assistance alarms, into one integrated network. This provides a reliable and cost-effective two-way communication system, ensuring that individuals with disabilities can safely evacuate and receive the assistance they need.
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Frequently asked questions
A refuge area is a designated location within a building designed to hold people safely during an emergency evacuation. It is an interior safe waiting space for people who cannot use stairways and need to await further instructions or assistance.
A refuge area is an interior safe space, whereas a rescue area is exterior. Rescue areas are also known as Exterior Areas for Assisted Rescue and should be at least 50% open to the outside air to minimise smoke and toxic gas accumulation.
Refuge areas should be equipped with a form of communication, such as an intercom or a two-way communication device, to allow individuals to notify emergency personnel of their presence and request assistance. They should also have instructional signage to inform people of how to use the emergency communication systems.
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