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How Area of Refuge Systems Help in Emergencies

Area of Refuge systems aren’t just about two-way communication—they're life-saving tools. 

Imagine a fire in a multi-story building. Elevators have been recalled, leaving stairs as the primary escape route. But for those who need mobility assistance, reaching a stairway landing or an elevator lobby—designated areas of refuge—becomes absolutely crucial. Here, they can use an ADA-compliant Area of Refuge call station to immediately connect with emergency personnel at a central command point.

With clear visual and audible indicators, these systems ensure help is one button press away. When someone is facing an unexpected health crisis, these systems are designed to prioritize life safety by alerting responders quickly and effectively.

Compliance

Ensure adherence to crucial building codes such as IBC, NFPA 72, A117.1, and ADAAG, safeguarding regulatory compliance.

Efficiency

Experience streamlined annual testing and continuous supervision, guaranteeing optimal performance without disruptions

Reliability

Built-in uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provides power backup during outages—ensuring continuous functionality

UL 2525 Standard

UL 2525 Listed command units and call stations expedite the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy (COO) without the need for a separate site listing, saving valuable time and costs.

Flexibility

Benefit from versatile deployment options tailored to accommodate projects of varying scales, providing adaptability and scalability.

 

What Are UL 2525 Listed Area of Refuge Systems?

UL 2525 listed systems are distinct from non-listed Area of Refuge systems. UL 2525 is a performance standard that expands specificity over NFPA 72 (2022) by defining operation, acoustic, environmental, and electrical performance.

From stairway landings to elevator lobbies, these systems ensure that all building occupants have a way to call for help and be rescued quickly, even in the most critical moments. Individuals with mobility challenges or those needing evacuation assistance can use these systems to communicate with emergency responders when they reach designated safe areas.

Up to 5-Stations

HON-AOR-5-ETL

HON-AOR-5-ETL-R

HON-AOR-5-DKL-ETL

HON-AOR-5-DKL-ETL-R

Enclosures in black or red

For jurisdictions requiring authorized access (behind door)

Up to 10-Stations

HON-AOR-10-ETL

HON-AOR-10-ETL-R

HON-AOR-10-DKL-ETL

HON-AOR-10-DKL-ETL-R

 

UL 2525 Listed Area of Refuge Solutions

Features and Benefits

Key Product Features Benefits
5- and 10-Station Command Units

 5- and 10-Station Command Units
1. Fully compliant with NFPA 72 (2022) §24.10, IBC (2024) §1009.8, ICC A117.1 (2017) Ch. 7, and ADAAG (2010) Ch. 7

1. Fully meet building code and life safety standard requirements for Area of Refuge projects
2. Supervises for integrity (opens, shorts, and system ground fault), low battery backup, and 24VDC input power fail—alerts by relay output to an addressable fire panel, LED, and sounder

2. Supervises the integrity of the system, fulfills code requirements, and facilitates annual testing requirement
3. Supports up to two (2) Sub-Command Units for additional on-premise answering points

3. Provide flexibility for on-site authorized personnel and first responders
4. Multiple calls are placed in queue on a “first-in, first-out (FIFO)” basis

4. Facilitates management of calls for assistance from Areas of Refuge
5. Built-in battery backup (24-hours non-active, 4-hours active)

5. Allows this critical system to operate during a catastrophic event while meeting UL 2525 and NFPA 72 (2022) requirements
6. Call Stations receive power from the command unit

6. Eliminates need to provide power at each Call Station location

UL 2525 Listed AOR Solutions

Features of the 5- / 10-Station Command Unit

AOR 510 features
  • (NEW) UL 2525 Listed Command Unit (-ETL designator) – Available for jurisdictions requiring a UL 2525 Listed system—no site listing (and associated costs) needed
  • UL 2525 Compliant Command Unit (Not Listed) – Available for a lower installed cost for jurisdictions not requiring listing
  • All 5- and 10-station systems are NFPA 72 (2022 Edition) compliant

Features of the AOR Call Station

featurescallstation
  • (NEW) UL 2525 Listed Call Station (-ETL designator) – Only for Command Units with the -ETL designator. Site listing/certification not required.
  • UL 2525 Compliant Call Station (Not Listed) – Available for a lower installed cost for jurisdictions not requiring listing/site certification. No power LED and smaller ADA-compliant push button.

 

UL 2525: What is Required?

System Call Station Command Unit

Supervision 

  • Opens/shorts
  • Ground faults
  • Primary power and battery backup
 ID calling location through a pre-recorded voice message plays at start of call ID calling location through visual indicators and text labels with location/floor 
Time to alert – trouble signals and restoration to normal shall be annunciated within 200 sec Speaker sound level no less than 70 dB at 1.0 m   
Difference in tones between emergency and supervisory/trouble signals “POWER ON” LED  
Temporarily silence audible supervisory/trouble signal for 24 hours – if not corrected, audible signal will resume LEDs for call placed and answered  
Battery backup (24 hours non-active, 4 hours active) Mushroom button: 1.25-inch diameter  

Got Questions?

To learn more or find the right system for your building, contact us today.