ECVS

A fire alarm initiates an evacuation. What happens next depends on how well your building and your systems support the people inside it. For most occupants, following an illuminated exit route is straightforward. For those with mobility impairments, or anyone who becomes isolated or disoriented during an incident, the situation is considerably more complex.

An emergency voice communication system (EVCS) addresses this directly. It provides a reliable two-way communication link between people who need assistance, emergency marshals managing the evacuation and the fire and rescue services coordinating the response. Rather than leaving vulnerable individuals to wait in silence, an EVCS gives them a means of making their location known and receiving clear instructions while help is on its way.

At Incognito Systems, we design and install EVCS solutions tailored to your building layout and the specific needs of the people who use it, as part of a complete and compliant fire safety setup.

Disabled refuge areas
A disabled refuge is a designated space within a building where a person unable to use the stairwells or fire escapes can wait safely for assistance. An EVCS connects these refuge points directly to a control panel, allowing the person waiting to communicate their location to rescue teams and receive updates on the evacuation in progress. Without this communication link, a refuge area provides shelter but leaves its occupant with no means of alerting anyone to their presence.

Emergency assist alarms 
For non-domestic premises, an emergency assist alarm in every disabled toilet facility is a requirement. These alarms alert rescue teams to the location of a person requiring assistance, ensuring no area of your building is left without a means of raising the alarm.

Fire telephone systems 
Hardwired full duplex fire telephone systems provide a dedicated communication channel between key points in the building, the control panel and the fire and rescue services. Operating independently of the main power supply with battery backup, they remain functional throughout an incident and form a core part of any compliant EVCS installation.

Under the Equality Act 2010 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, businesses have a responsibility to ensure that all occupants, regardless of mobility or ability, can be evacuated safely. An EVCS is a central part of meeting that obligation in any building where the layout or occupancy profile means that a standard evacuation route is not accessible to everyone.

As well as legal compliance, there is a straightforward practical argument. Knowing that every person on your premises has a means of communicating during an emergency, and that rescue teams can locate and reach them efficiently, reduces both risk and response time when seconds genuinely count.

Every EVCS installation begins with a detailed assessment of your premises. We map out the building layout, identify where refuge areas are required, establish where fire telephone points need to be positioned and design a system that provides complete coverage for everyone on site.

All installations are carried out to the relevant British Standards and independently verified through our SSAIB accreditation. Full certification and documentation is provided, giving you the compliance records you need for fire safety inspections and insurance purposes.

Ongoing maintenance is built into our service from the outset. EVCS systems require regular testing and inspection to remain operational and compliant, and our maintenance packages ensure that nothing is left to chance between scheduled visits.