Why Hospitals Should Have Panic Alarm Systems

 

Hospital patients, their relatives and friends can experience a variety of emotions from happiness to grief to concern, among many others. Unfortunately, in the past few years one of those primary emotions is anger. As hospitals across the United States have been subjected to the wrath of COVID-19 and the added pressures accompanying it, nurses, doctors and administrators have faced increased threats and violence.

Violence against healthcare workers has always been a concern, but the number of incidents has multiplied as the COVID stress became exponential. There is always the possibility of an angry family member, a distraught patient or visitor having mental or emotional problems that cause or threaten violence. It may even be a burglar or unwanted trespasser. 

Emergency panic alarms can be a helpful security tool for hospitals and clinics who want to diminish potential danger to nurses, doctors, administrators and general staff and provide peace of mind to the entire facility. That’s why many hospitals and clinics are now installing panic buttons.

What is a Hospital Panic Button and How Do They Work?

A hospital panic button is a strategically placed mechanism which automatically signals police or security about an emergency. The buttons are small and installed in a hidden area such as under a desk or counter.  Good locations for panic buttons include:

●       Pharmacy counters

●       Entrance to Emergency Room

●       Receptionist Desk

●       Any other high-risk areas of a hospital or health care facility

Panic buttons should be placed in areas of high risk for violence where a staff member would have easy access to quickly and quietly notify security. Once the hospital panic button is activated local police will be dispatched to the location without delay.

Individual Wireless Panic Buttons Provide Personal Safety

There is an even greater level of protection than hardwired panic buttons strategically located throughout a hospital. Some hospitals are offering protection to certain employees at all times. Wireless, individual alarm systems clipped to uniforms or hung on lanyards are available for increased personal safety and immediate dispatch.

 These panic buttons to call for help are often thought of for seniors, most of us have seen the ads  “I’ve fallen and all can’t get up”.  These personal panic buttons can be extremely useful and effective in providing immediate and widespread safety for hospital employees. With an individual panic alarm button, a tracking system is set off if the button is pushed and security personnel know exactly where the employee is located through the hospital computer network.

The Cox Medical Center in Branson, MO recently outfitted 300 to 400 staff working in the emergency department and inpatient rooms with personal panic buttons as assaults by patients tripled between 2019 and 2020. According to a recent news report, 123 attacks against hospital staff were reported in 2020, up from 40 in 2019. Injuries related to the assaults jumped from 17 to 78 during the same period.

For any panic system to work, individual or strategically placed buttons, it is essential to ensure hospital employees are crystal clear on protocols and procedures to follow in the event of an emergency or unstable patient or visitor.

HRSS Offers Integrated Hospital Security and Panic Button Solutions

Providing healthcare in a safe environment should be the priority of all hospitals and healthcare facilities.  Threats to health care facilities, however,  pop up anywhere at any time. All hospitals should have an emergency preparedness strategy and train staff on how to respond in an emergency including how to use strategically placed or personal panic buttons.

High Rise Security Systems, HRSS, is a leading provider of commercial fire alarm and life safety systems for hospitals, hotels, college campuses and many businesses in and around Chicago. We offer integrated security solutions and design your life safety system around your unique needs and risks.

High Rise Security Systems (HRSS) is a leading fire and life safety provider to commercial properties including hospitals and healthcare facilities in and around Chicago. We offer fire alarm system consulting, UL listed equipment, alarm system design and comprehensive services including testing, maintenance and monitoring.  Contact us to learn more about protecting your healthcare facility and occupants with integrated security systems and panic alarms.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/security-alarms/why-hospitals-should-have-panic-alarm-systems/

 

UL Listings for Fire & Life Safety Equipment

 

UL listed, it’s a term we hear often and trust that it must mean products are tested and approved by some sort of authenticating body, but do we really know what it means?

What Does UL Listed Mean?

Underwriters Laboratories, UL, is a company that is approved by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, to perform safety testing on various products and new technologies over a wide range of industries.  UL is headquartered in Illinois, although maintains offices in 46 countries and provides more than 1,500 global safety certification standards. 

The UL certificate is a declaration by fire alarm companies that the system is in compliance with applicable standards and codes.

History of Underwriters Laboratories

UL was founded by William Henry Merrill in 1894, a 25-year-old electrical engineer from Boston. He started his career investigating and assessing risk for underwriters issuing fire insurance. He realized a potential for standardized testing on building materials and founded Underwriters Laboratories in Chicago. Merrill and UL quickly began developing standards, designing and testing equipment and identifying hazards.

Merrill also served as the Secretary/Treasurer for the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, from 1903 to 1909 and was the President from 1910 to 1912.  UL shares a mission with companies and stakeholders for more secure, safer and sustainable world.  UL is committed to progressing Sustainable Development Goals and is signatory to the United Nations Global Compact to uphold principles of responsible business.

UL Listed for Fire & Life Safety Equipment

All UL listed fire alarm and life safety equipment includes a UL listing mark on the product or the container in which the product is packaged which includes the word SIGNALING located above the UL symbol and LISTED located underneath the symbol with a control number and product name. This is applicable to all fire alarm and signaling equipment including:

●       Power supplies

●       Fire alarm control panels

●       Individual components

●       Modules

●       Relays

●       Devices in the field

One critical distinction is to note that there are different listings for Fire Alarm Equipment and Fire Alarm Subassembly.

UL listed visual and audible signaling devices meet safety and quality standards aligned with fire and life safety technology and advancements. UL listed visual and audible signaling devices help clients and safety system integrators mitigate risks and provide an appropriate standard of care to asset owners. UL listed fire alarm signaling devices validate code compliance and provide assurances that your system will undoubtedly help to save lives and properties.

HRSS Offers UL Listed Fire Alarm System Equipment

High Rise Security Systems, HRSS, offers high-quality, UL listed fire alarm and life safety system equipment from the top manufacturers in the industry. We are a premier NOTIFIER™️ by Honeywell fire alarm distributor, familiar with the latest technology including self-testing smoke detectors, fully integrated systems and more. We offer quality equipment from NOTIFIER by Honeywell, FireLite Alarms, Cooper-Wheelock, Cornell, System Sensor and others.

HRSS offers decades of experience in providing fully code compliant commercial fire alarm and life safety systems to commercial, industrial and public properties of all sizes in and around Chicago. We offer comprehensive fire alarm system and life safety consulting, UL listed fire alarm equipment, inspection, testing, maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and monitoring 24/7365.

HRSS is respected in the fire alarm and life safety system community for our expertise and commitment to life safety. We ensure that your property goes above code compliance to meet your specific needs based on unique architecture or business operations. Contact us to learn more about protecting your property and saving the lives of all your occupants with quality UL listed fire alarm and life safety system equipment.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/commercial-fire-alarms/ul-listings-for-fire-life-safety-equipment/

 

 

Do Sprinklered Buildings Need Smoke Detection?

If you have a building that is sprinklered, you may have heard a common response that smoke detectors are not required.  Whoa, what was that?  Smoke detection not required? 

If that makes you concerned about your building being fully protected, it should. There are times when smoke detectors are required when the building is sprinklered.

Smoke Detector Requirements

Don’t trust the safety of your building and occupants to a common misconception, find out the facts about where and when smoke detection is required, even in sprinklered buildings.

Here are the most common 20 occasions where smoke detectors are required:

1)      Smoke detectors are required in elevator lobbies for elevator recall service.

2)      Smoke detectors are required within 5 feet Left/Right of fire or smoke doors.

3)      Smoke Detectors are required in close proximity to motorized smoke or fire dampers.

4)      A smoke detector is required in any Electrical, Mechanical or Storage room without a sprinkler head.

5)      Partial Smoke Detection may be needed when used in conjunction with an engineered smoke evacuation or smoke control system.

6)      Patient room detector may be required to close a patient room door in  I-2 occupancy.

7)      Common Area Smoke Detection coverage will be required in multi room Daycares, especially when children sleep during the day.  

8)      Any unattended life safety control equipment requires a smoke detector in the immediate area of the fire alarm control equipment.

9)      Multi Zoned Air Circulating Equipment exceeding 2000CFM requires a smoke mounted duct detector.

10)   I-1 Institutional Occupancy requires smoke detectors in all Halls, Corridors, Storage Areas, and open waiting areas not considered habitable.

11)   I-2 Corridors require smoke detectors or patient rooms eliminating corridor detection.  A centralized care provider annunciator display must be provided to comply.

12)   I-3 Institutional requires smoke detection in sleeping, day rooms and other common spaces.

13)   R-1 Corridors serving sleeping rooms require smoke detection.

14)   R-2 College and University all Common Areas, Electrical Mechanical Rooms, Storage and Corridors serving sleeping rooms.

15)   All Special Amusement Buildings require Complete Smoke Detection.

16)   Atriums greater than 2 stories require smoke detection.

17)   High Pile Combustible Storage requires smoke detection.

18)   Air Traffic Control Towers require smoke detection.

19)   Battery rooms with 50 gallon liquid capacity require smoke detection.

20)   Delayed egress lock locations require smoke detection.

This summary does not apply to Smoke Alarms required in R-1, R-2 or R-3 dwelling units. Always protect  sleeping rooms and corridors serving the sleeping room.  Do not forget the need for Carbon Monoxide detection in these circumstances.

High Rise Security Systems, HRSS, offers fire alarm and life safety consulting services for complete code compliance in all commercial properties in the Chicago Area. Contact us to learn more about fire alarm, smoke and carbon monoxide detection requirements in sprinklered or non-sprinklered buildings. 

 

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-safety-consultants/do-sprinklered-buildings-need-smoke-detection/