Control
1. Fire alarm control panel
Receives and processes signals from connected devices, indicates system states and faults, and controls functions defined by the design.
Fire alarm and evacuation
Alert fast.
Evacuate safely.
Fire signalling, audible and visual alarms, voice evacuation and emergency procedure solutions to protect people in industrial, commercial, institutional and mining facilities.
!
Human life always comes first.
The alarm must be understood, the route known and the assembly point identified before an emergency.
01
Rapid alert
Warn without delay
02
Clear signage
Identify exits
03
Organized evacuation
Follow instructions
04
Final headcount
Verify attendance
An effective evacuation system relies on reliable equipment and prepared procedures.
Our mission
Turn an alarm into an organized response.
During a fire, occupants must recognize the alarm, understand instructions and identify a safe route. A well-designed system must account for building layout, ambient noise, occupants and evacuation conditions.
01
Audible and visual warning
Sounders, visual warning devices and manual call points as required.
02
Instructions and wayfinding
Plans, signs, emergency lighting and routes suited to the site layout.
03
People and responsibilities
Evacuation wardens, drills, headcounts and emergency response coordination.
Safety equipment
Components of a fire alarm and evacuation system
Components are selected according to the building, hazards, occupants, regulatory requirements and the chosen evacuation strategy.
Control
Audible warning
2. Sounders and sirens
Provide the alarm signal. Their placement must consider ambient noise, acoustics, occupied areas and applicable requirements.
Visual warning
3. Visual alarm devices
Supplement audible notification where visual signals are required, including certain noisy environments and accessibility needs.
Activation
4. Manual call points
Allow a person to initiate the alarm when a fire or other reportable emergency is observed, according to site procedures.
Wayfinding
5. Emergency exit signage
Identifies exits and appropriate routes. Signage must be visible, consistent, maintained and suited to the actual building layout.
Visibility
6. Emergency lighting
Helps occupants identify routes and obstacles when normal lighting fails, subject to required performance and autonomy.
Messaging
7. Voice evacuation
Broadcasts approved live or recorded messages to communicate instructions. Zoning and messages must match the approved emergency plan.
Assembly
8. Assembly points
Provide a designated place to gather occupants, away from identified hazards and accessible to personnel conducting the headcount.
Coordination
9. Emergency communication
Radios, phones or suitable communication tools to coordinate wardens, share relevant information and contact emergency services.
Emergency procedure
What should you do when the fire alarm sounds?
Instructions must be tailored to site hazards and taught to personnel. The following is a general sequence to incorporate into the local emergency plan.
Recognize the alarm
Stop your activity and follow site instructions immediately. Do not assume it is only a drill without authorized confirmation.
Warn and report
If you discover a fire and the alarm has not been raised, activate the designated device if you can do so without exposure.
Leave the area
Follow safe routes and warden instructions. Do not enter a smoke-filled corridor or an area exposed to fire.
Reach the assembly point
Remain at the designated assembly point for the headcount. Immediately report missing persons or important information.
Wait for authorization
Do not re-enter the building until authorized by competent personnel or emergency responders.
Planning
A clear evacuation plan for every building
A useful plan reflects the actual premises, usable exits, hazards and occupant needs. It must remain legible and be updated when the layout changes.
Essential elements of the plan
The final document must be prepared from site drawings and an actual site survey. A generic illustration never replaces a plan validated for the building concerned.
- You are here: the current location of the person reading the plan.
- Actual accessible escape routes and emergency exits.
- Locations of alarms, manual call points and relevant equipment.
- Assembly points and emergency instructions.
- Hazard areas, access restrictions and site-specific information.
- Orientation, legend, revision date and document owner.
Industries served
Strategies tailored to each environment
Evacuation constraints vary according to activity, occupant numbers, equipment, distances, noise and the hazards present.
Mining and industrial sites
Team alerting, zone-specific instructions, radio communication and controlled assembly.
Warehouses and logistics
Visible signage, unobstructed routes and personnel flow management.
Offices and retail
Occupant alerts, identified exits and instructions accessible to visitors.
Hotels and residential facilities
Understandable instructions, occupant wayfinding and consideration of sleeping occupants.
Hospitals and care facilities
Strategy accounting for patients, medical equipment and assisted movement.
Schools and universities
Group supervision, headcounts, responsibilities and occupant-appropriate drills.
Electrical and technical rooms
Alerting suited to controlled areas and consideration of electrical and industrial hazards.
Workshops and factories
Consideration of noise, machinery, hazardous materials and circulation routes.
Inclusive evacuation
Plan for the evacuation of everyone
The emergency plan must identify assistance needs, responsibilities and approved means of helping people without endangering responders. Solutions must be planned in advance rather than improvised during a fire.
Plan accessible routes and assistance procedures consistent with the building design.
Consider visual notification or other necessary alerting methods.
Explain emergency instructions and include them in the headcount process.
Assess communication needs, supplementary signals and methods for verifying personnel presence.
People and responsibilities
Technology does not replace preparedness
Exact responsibilities must be defined in the site emergency plan. No warden should expose themselves to danger while undertaking tasks that belong to specialist responders.
Management and site leadership
Approve procedures, assign responsibilities, provide required resources and coordinate with the relevant services.
Evacuation guides and wardens
Apply established instructions, direct people when conditions are safe and report information to the designated lead.
HSE team and personnel
Participate in training and drills, keep exits clear, report defects and understand the site evacuation rules.
System reliability
Test, document and maintain the equipment
An alarm system must be checked according to manufacturer instructions, regulatory requirements and site conditions. Tests must be planned to avoid confusion with a real emergency.
- Inspect the control panel, indications and reported faults.
- Test manual call points and audible and visual devices according to the programme.
- Verify audibility and visibility in the relevant areas.
- Check power supplies, batteries and transmission devices where fitted.
- Check exit signs, evacuation plans and emergency lighting.
- Record results, defects, corrective actions and upcoming due dates.
- Organize drills and update procedures after site changes.
Frequently asked questions
Understanding alarms and evacuation
Effective evacuation depends on a suitable system, understood instructions and regular preparedness.
Discuss your project →What is the difference between a fire alarm and voice evacuation?
A conventional alarm generally uses audible and/or visual signals. Voice evacuation can deliver understandable messages and, in systems designed for it, zone-specific instructions.
Should occupants evacuate as soon as the alarm sounds?
Occupants must follow the site’s established emergency instructions. During a general evacuation, they should use safe routes and must not wait for personal confirmation when this conflicts with the alarm procedure.
Can an elevator be used during a fire?
As a general rule, do not use ordinary elevators during a fire. Use designated stairs and routes. Only elevators specifically designed and authorized for a defined evacuation strategy may be used according to that strategy.
What should you do if smoke blocks an exit?
Do not enter a smoke-filled area. Use another safe route indicated by the plan. If no safe route is available, follow the local shelter-in-place procedure and communicate your location to responders if possible.
Why is an assembly point needed?
It allows evacuated people to gather, enables headcounts, helps identify potentially missing persons and supports information sharing with emergency responders.
How often should the systems be tested?
Frequency depends on equipment, manufacturer instructions, applicable rules and the maintenance plan. It should be defined and documented by competent personnel rather than chosen arbitrarily.
Should evacuation drills be organized?
Yes, according to applicable obligations and the site emergency plan. Drills help verify instruction comprehension, routes, headcounts and coordination. They should be planned, supervised and evaluated.
Can NISAN support a fire alarm project?
You can provide available drawings, building type, occupancy, existing equipment and project requirements. This information will help prepare an initial assessment and identify necessary technical checks.
Prepare your site before an emergency.
Contact NISAN CORPORATION to discuss your fire alarm, signage, voice evacuation, evacuation planning and technical support requirements.