Hello All,
Can anyone please advise on heights of call points (the break
glass box) needed to initiate a fire alarm evacuation, in a public
building of higher education.
The usual height is around 1300 to 1400 mm from ground which
is not ideal for wheel-chair users.
BS 5588-8:1999 (18.2) only refers back to BS 5839-1.
The CAE design guide and the new BS 8300:2001 refers to
a preferred height of about 1000mm to 1200mm for light
switches etc but alarm call box's not specified.
To generally specify for the usual height (BS 5839-1) means
that everyone in the building in a smoky atmosphere in panic
who would be looking/feeling at the usual height would be
satisfied, so if placed in the usual position would benefit most.
Even if it would not benefit a wheel-chair user. No wheel-chair users
if any are known to frequent this building, but one can not be sure.
The internal phone system has an emergency dial number
to 'control' where the alarm might be raised, rather than having
to break the glass.
Has anyone gone against the usual British Standard height for such
box's to favour a lower level?...except of course in junior schools.
I appreciate that BS 5588-8:1999 suggests a pull cord in some
circumstances, but I would be loath to recommend this for a
public building and invite abuse causing fire alarms to be ignored!
I look forward to any informed responses!
Glynn Williams.
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