• E-mail
• Print
• RSS

Keyes Q&A: Areas of refuge, vision panels, and locked suite doors

Healthcare Life Safety Compliance, May 1, 2019

This is an excerpt from a member only article. To read the article in its entirety, please login or subscribe to Healthcare Life Safety Compliance.

Editor’s note: Each month, Brad Keyes, CHSP, owner of Keyes Life Safety Compliance, answers your questions about life safety compliance. Our editorial advisory board also reviews the Q&A column. Follow Keyes’ blog on life safety at www.keyeslifesafety.com for up-to-date information.  

Areas of refuge

Q: I have been asked to install "AREA OF REFUGE" signs on top of both sides of the doorframe in several areas of the hospital. Is there a specific per-code required installation location of where exactly the sign needs to be installed, and is it required to have Braille?

A Section 19.2.2.10 of the 2012 Life Safety Code® (LSC) says where areas of refuge are used as part of a required means of egress, then it must comply with 7.2.12. Section 7.2.12 requires the following:

• Each elevator landing must have a two-way communication system between the elevator landing and the fire command center
• There must be directions for the use of the two-way communication system
• There must be instructions for summoning assistance via the two-way communication system
• There must be written identification of the location posted adjacent to the two-way communication system
• The two-way communication system must include both audible and visible signals

This is an excerpt from a member only article. To read the article in its entirety, please login or subscribe to Healthcare Life Safety Compliance.

• E-mail to a Colleague
• Print
• RSS
• Archive