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On 3 September Avon Fire & Rescue Service’s Business Fire Safety Team, Risk Management Team, and operational firefighters from Temple and Bedminster, visited McArthurs Yard in Bristol. The aim of the visit was to familiarise themselves with a new evacuation alert system that is being installed in the new high-rise residential buildings. Evacuation Alert Systems (EAS) may be available to the fire service during a fire in a block of residential flats, to ensure suitable evacuation procedures can be followed to keep residents safe. The visit represents a crucial step in ensuring that as a Service we are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively in the event of a fire.
The new evacuation alert system is designed to enhance safety in high-rise buildings by allowing fire crews to actuate evacuation alarms to individual floors. This targeted approach means that residents can be alerted precisely when to evacuate, minimising confusion and ensuring a safer evacuation process during an emergency.
Kate Parratt, a Business Fire Safety Officer for Avon Fire & Rescue Service attended the visit, she said: “Fire safety is our main priority, and it’s visits like these that give us and our firefighters the ability to see the alarm systems in practice. While we hope residents will never need to use these systems, it’s important we know how to use them effectively should there be an emergency.
“This was an excellent learning opportunity for everyone involved, working with The Guinness Partnership has allowed us to enhance our preparedness and ensure that we can effectively respond.”
The visit to McArthurs Yard, managed by The Guinness Partnership, provided an invaluable opportunity for all involved to gain hands-on experience with the system. The Risk Management Team also conducted a comprehensive review of the site, gathering crucial information that will be used to update risk assessments and improve emergency response plans.
In an event of a fire please call 999 and follow your buildings evacuation procedures, if you would like tailored home fire safety advice, please complete our online Home Fire Safety Check.
The EAS have been designed to solely be used by the fire and rescue service as a tool to assist evacuating blocks of residential flats. The systems comprise a panel of Evacuation Alert Control Indicating Equipment (EACIE), sounders and alarms to individual flats. They may be available to the fire service, during a fire in a block of residential flats, to ensure suitable evacuation procedures can be followed to keep residents safe.