The second alternative is for the initial alert
signal to be given to certain staff, who then
carry out pre-arranged actions to help others
to evacuate more easily. It requires able, fullytrained
staff to be available at all times and should
not be seen as a simple means of reducing
disruption to working practices. Where staged
alarms are being used, disabled people should
be alerted on the first stage to give them the
maximum time to escape.
These arrangements both require fire-warning
systems capable of giving staged alarms, including
an ‘alert signal’ and a different ‘evacuate signal’
and should only be considered after consultation
with specialist installers and, if necessary, the
relevant enforcing authority.
Such systems also require a greater degree
of management input to ensure that staff
and others are familiar with the system and
action required.