Why do I need a fire alarm for Deaf people?
What legislation concerns fire alarms for Deaf people?
Why do Deaf Alerter install and maintain the system?
Why do I need a maintenance/support agreement?
I use an Alerter but work in two different buildings. Will it work in both?
I am responsible for building maintenance. What do I need to do with the Deaf Alerter system?
We intend to change the structure of our building? Will the Deaf Alerter be affected?
Deaf Alerter is a radio-based system that uses a transmitter connected to a building’s fire alarm panel. When the fire alarm is activated, the Deaf Alerter system broadcasts a signal to a portable hand held unit called an Alerter. The Alerter vibrates, beeps and displays an emergency message on its screen. The system can also be used for standard non-emergency messaging via a networked PC, or various push-button devices.
Why do I need a fire alarm for Deaf people?
Simply put, in any building consisting of more than just a few rooms, things that a hearing person often takes for granted (such as being made aware of a building evacuation) become more complicated. Traditional solutions, such as the Buddy system or having a single warning light on a Deaf person’s work desk simply are not acceptable solutions under current legislation. The potential for failure in these unmonitored systems is simply too great to ever consider them workable or acceptable.
What legislation concerns fire alarms for Deaf people?
There is a variety of legislation and various standards, both British and European, concerning fire alarms for disabled people. For more detailed information, please consult the Legislation section of our website.Why do Deaf Alerter install and maintain the system?
The Deaf Alerter system is a specialist piece of equipment – it is not the same as an off-the-shelf paging system. As such, only our engineers (or those of our certified partners) have the skills and knowledge required to install and commission the system. Again, because the system is bespoke, only Deaf Alerter plc can maintain it and provide the necessary parts in the event of system failure.
Why do I need a maintenance/support agreement?
Just like any other equipment, the Deaf Alerter system will deteriorate without effective preventative maintenance visits, which are a requirement for compliance with Health and Safety and Fire Safety legislation and also the British Standard BS5839 - Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Buildings, Part 1 Code of Practice for System Design, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance.
Deaf Alerter plc provides a comprehensive support package which protects the investment made when purchasing a Deaf Alerter system. The main components of this support package are:
• On-site preventative inspection
• Fault repair with a guaranteed response time
• Radio licence renewal
For more detailed information about our support options, please refer to the Support section of the web site.
Message Manager is the software package that is provided free of charge with a Deaf Alerter installation. It enables any networked PC to send messages to Alerter users via our Ethernet-enabled DA2000 transmitter.
The Night Cradle is a bedside unit that connects to the Alerter unit. It features a strobe light and vibrating pillow pad for night time use, in order to wake a sleeping Deaf person.
The Alerter is the handheld unit carried by the Deaf user in order to inform them of a fire alarm (or any other emergency message). It can also be used for non-emergency messaging.
I use an Alerter but work in two different buildings. Will it work in both?
Alerters use the National Roaming standard so will work in all buildings that have a Deaf Alerter system installed (usually indicated by signs on the entrance). The building name will appear on the Alerter when the fire alarm is activated to avoid any confusion.
I am responsible for building maintenance. What do I need to do with the Deaf Alerter system?
Whoever conducts the weekly manual call point test of the fire alarm should carry an Alerter for the test. Ensuring the Alerter is on, test the fire alarm from the call point as usual, but also ensure the Alerter activates and the correct message is displayed.
We intend to change the structure of our building? Will the Deaf Alerter be affected?
When the Deaf Alerter system was installed, it was designed to cover a specific area or building. By informing us of any intended changes our staff can ensure that as the building changes the coverage is not compromised. This can generally be done without major changes to the system.
When we had the Deaf Alerter installed we only used it for fire alarm notification. We now have new Deaf staff with more requirements so can we add on features to help?
Features such as messaging and other alerts can be added on at anytime. If we can tie in upgrades with routine maintenance the cost is minimal.
I have just taken over responsibility for all health and safety matters for our building but I don't fully understand how the Deaf Alerter system operates?
As the responsible person for a building it is important you understand the system well. Training sessions can be done at any time during our routine maintenance visits by our engineers or quality inspectors. If a more detailed training session is required these can be booked additionally. To gain an overview of the system or to clarify any point we can be telephoned on 01332 363981.
I think there is a fault with the Deaf Alerter system. How can I be sure the fault lies with Deaf Alerter?
If the Deaf Alerter transmitter is displaying a fault then we should be contacted. If not, then it is probably an issue with the fire alarm or method of testing and therefore the fire alarm maintainer should be able to assist. For any queries Deaf Alerter plc can be contacted.
