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Deaf Fire Alarms

Need help? Need help? Are you sure you'll be alarmed? UK Approved, Easy-to-Use Deaf Fire Alarms, Fast Delivery

Guarding against fire is a safety essential in residential and commercial properties. In the latter, legal requirements have to be met and we are experts at advising on what is needed and can supply fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, advisory signs and fire extinguishers, to name just a few of the high-quality, sensibly priced products we have available.
During a fire emergency, it is vital that everyone on the premises is immediately warned of the danger and can leave the premises to a safe location as quickly as possible. That warning is problematic when the person or persons to be warned have severe hearing loss and nothing is in place to overcome their deafness to warn them of the danger.

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Individuals with full hearing immediately recognise the piercing siren of a fire alarm or the sound of a carbon monoxide detector and associate it with immediate danger, however, the deaf and those with limited hearting are more at risk in a fire emergency because they cannot hear the audible warnings.

The deaf community in the UK


The deaf and hard of hearing are a large community in the UK. Action on Hearing Loss has reported that as many as 12 million people in the UK are deaf. Today there are also over 900,000 people living in the UK who have very severe hearing loss and can hear little to nothing. Additionally, there are four million people who need hearing aids but do not have access to them.

With statistics like these, it is easy to see why it is so important to ensure that your building has adequate safety measures that take into consideration all members of the community. People in the UK now live for longer and with advanced age comes disabilities, including deafness. That is why it is so important to ensure that properties are properly alarmed and equipped for deaf individuals and those with limited mobility.

During an emergency, time is the most important resource and actions taken just minutes, or even seconds, more quickly, can have a big impact. The deaf and hard of hearing are especially vulnerable in situations or environments in which they cannot rely on others for assistance or warning. Also, there are many environments in which traditional fire alarms would prove useless – even for individuals who do not suffer from hearing loss. Environments like nightclubs and large, noisy factory floors, require additional safety measures as the loud siren of a fire alarm can go unnoticed if the background sounds are very loud.

Complying with the law


Ensuring that your property is properly equipped with inclusive safety measures is not only the right thing to do, it is required by law. The Equality Act, passed in 2010, required extra safety measures to be put in place to protect all members of society and create a safer, more inclusive community. Under health and safety legislation, it is necessary to take steps to ensure the safety of everyone who enters your building or property – for their well-being and also to safeguard your legal position should the worse happen.

The good news is that there are many solutions available for ensuring that your building is safe for all members of the community. To determine which are most appropriate for a new or existing building, the best place to start is with a risk assessment. For existing buildings, this is already a requirement under UK Fire Safety Legislation 3 and for new buildings, building regulations combined with the appropriate BS and EN standards can be used.

Naturally, hoteliers are subject to additional laws and regulations to ensure the safety of all deaf people staying in their property. Under the terms of the DDA, hoteliers are legally obligated to make proper provisions for the deaf and hard of hearing.

During a risk assessment, it is vitally important to take note of and consider a property’s hazards and potential risks. It is also important to take into consideration the possible solutions to minimise the risks, the costs and convenience of installing such solutions, and the efficacy of these safety measures when they are needed most.

Fire alarms for the deaf UK


There are several different fire alarms for the deaf, to accommodate all types of rooms, buildings, and activities. For residential and commercial properties, fire alarms can be used that utilise flashing lights in addition to piercing sirens. Alarms such as howler fire alarms are ideal because they will instantly alert both the hearing and the deaf individuals in an area. When placing such alarms and sirens, it is important to consider sightlines and how the alarms can be placed in the most visible places possible to maximise their efficacy.

Some workplaces have specific needs, such as hotels. That is why it's important to ensure that the hotel has adequate safety equipment for the deaf and hard of hearing, and that staff are trained on how to react to an alarm. Tests of deaf fire alarms also need to be carried out on a regular basis. One of the most dangerous times for the deaf and hard of hearing is at night when they are sleeping, as loud noises will not wake up a person with hearing loss. Hotels are legally obligated to provide for the safety of their deaf guests and thankfully there are some highly effective deaf fire alarms available for hotels.

A vibrating pillow pad is an easy and effective safety solution and is perfect for hotel rooms. An alternative to a vibrating pillow pad is the vibrating pillow alarm. This alarm is portable and, unlike the vibrating pillow pad, does not require a connection plate. This alarm can just be slipped under a pillow and, when a fire alarm goes off, the pillow alarm will begin to vibrate, bright LED lights will begin to flash, and the digital screen will display the word “FIRE.”Another option of fire alarms for the deaf UK is the Deafguard which, like the vibrating pillow alarm, is wireless and can be simply placed underneath the pillow. When a fire alarm sounds, the Deafguard will vibrate to wake the sleeper and will pulse a high-intensity strobe light.

Training


Aside from deaf fire alarms and other safety equipment, one of the most important ways to support the safety of the deaf and hard of hearing is through training your employees in fire safety procedures and informing other occupants of the building, such as guests, about the safety procedures. All employees should be trained in emergency procedures and best practices so they can act decisively if a fire breaks out. Should you require advice about fire safety measures please do not hesitate to contact us. We can supply the best products available that you will need to meet your legal obligations and to ensure the safety of everyone on your premises in the event of a fire.