Accessibility beyond compliance: Hochiki Europe maps standards in practice
Iain Hoey
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Richard Wharram, Export Sales Manager at Hochiki Europe explores how fire safety installers can lead the conversation on accessibility
Compliance with fire safety codes sets the foundation for protecting buildings, but it is no longer the only expectation placed on installers.
Fire safety engineers are increasingly expected to deliver solutions that address both regulatory requirements and occupant needs.
Both modern buildings and older properties, whether carefully preserved, adapted for new use or extended with new wings, must now support diverse occupant needs.
As buildings serve more diverse populations, life safety systems must be both responsive and accessible, delivering consistent protection across these varied environments, extending to every occupant, regardless of ability.
This shift requires a broader role for fire professionals.
Installers are now expected to advise clients on accessibility as well as fit systems.
The most forward-thinking installers are stepping up; they are engaging with clients early in the design phase, they have a working knowledge of the latest technology advances and can provide products that serve a wide range of user needs.
In this article, we review how inclusive standards are being applied in practice and how forward-thinking engineers are helping clients see accessibility not as a bolt-on feature, but as a fundamental design principle.
Inclusive standards in practice
Understanding accessibility in fire safety starts with a review of the regulations themselves.
Each region applies its own framework of codes and standards, and together they define how inclusive life safety should function in practice.
For installers, this means interpreting what standards demand on site and how they affect system design in each unique application.
In the UK, BS 5839‑1 and BS 5266‑1 outline core requirements for fire detection and emergency lighting.
BS 5839‑9 extends this by requiring Emergency Voice Communication (EVC) systems in refuge areas.
These systems support people with mobility impairments by enabling communication with emergency responders during evacuation.
Across Europe, EN 54 standards, including EN 54‑23 for Visual Alarm Devices (VADs), help ensure that life safety systems accommodate users with hearing impairments.
In the Middle East, local codes often blend UL and EN requirements to address safety in complex, high-density buildings where occupant needs vary widely.
Legal and reputational pressures have increased since the Grenfell Tower fire, particularly in the UK.
However, following this tragedy, building owners and facility managers around the world are now expected to demonstrate that their systems support everyone, not just the average occupant.
Installers as strategic advisors: Real world examples
For fire safety professionals, this is not just a challenge, but an opportunity.
The best installers today are not just system integrators; they are strategic partners.
They help clients understand why inclusive fire safety is worth investing in, and they guide them through the complexities of standards, technologies and real-world needs.
That conversation becomes much easier when backed by practical experience.
At Merriman Grange, a care home in West Sussex, the installation of an addressable L1 fire detection system from Hochiki included features specifically selected to protect residents in a dedicated dementia unit.
The ability to adjust alarm tones and volumes minimised distress for occupants with cognitive impairments, while still ensuring reliable alerting and full coverage across all three floors.
In Italy, the Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital in Verona faced a very different challenge—minimising false alarms in a complex healthcare environment without compromising safety for vulnerable patients.
The installation team deployed intelligent multi-sensor technology and integrated addressable panels from Hochiki across eight buildings, the site reduced unnecessary evacuations that could otherwise disorient or endanger those in critical care.
And in the Middle East, the Outpost Al Barari, a luxury eco-resort deep in the desert, introduced a different set of design constraints.
Built to harmonise with its constantly shifting natural environment, the resort’s layout changes with the desert itself, requiring a flexible and non-invasive approach to life safety.
Hochiki’s wireless system was deployed using hybrid technology, enabling quick reconfiguration of detection and alerting devices without disruptive installation works.
The solution included accessible call points mounted at the correct height for wheelchair users, visual alarm devices for hearing-impaired guests, and full integration with central control panels.
Ekho wireless technology allowed the system to flex as the resort evolved, while maintaining full coverage and minimal aesthetic impact.
These projects demonstrate that inclusive systems are not just about ticking regulatory boxes.
They are about understanding human needs and the surrounding environment to deliver technical solutions that respond with precision and care.
What to look for in a technology partner
Installers often rely on long-term relationships with manufacturers to ensure consistent performance and regulatory compliance.
However, regular review is essential.
As building and standards evolve, so should the technologies used to support them.
Manufacturers that specialise in life safety and offer comprehensive solutions, such as detection, emergency lighting and EVC integration, can simplify specification and improve system coherence.
Wireless capability is particularly important in heritage sites, clinical settings, sites where perhaps traditional architectural design is challenged, such as the example at the Outpost Al Barari and retrofits where cabling is difficult or undesirable.
Features such as programmable control panels, self-testing luminaires in emergency lighting and staged evacuation logic can reduce maintenance burden and support vulnerable building users more effectively.
One retrofit example is the Unity Theatre in Liverpool.
This converted synagogue required blackout capability for performances and full compliance with modern safety standards expected within a building often used by people who were not always familiar with the layout.
Hochiki’s self-contained emergency lighting solution met all requirements while avoiding major refurbishment works and improved energy efficiency.
System functions that support inclusion
Inclusive life safety systems combine various alerting methods to ensure everyone receives timely warnings.
These typically include audible alarms, VADs that meet EN 54‑23 and, where required, tactile signals.
Control equipment should support voice announcements and phased evacuation, particularly in large or multi-use buildings.
Manual call points need to be accessible in terms of height and placement and are increasingly available in wireless formats to support design flexibility.
Emergency lighting should be addressable and capable of directing people around hazards dynamically.
In addition, refuge areas must include two-way EVC systems to enable communication between those waiting and the building’s control centre or emergency services.
These are functional requirements already being delivered across the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
Designing for varied user needs improves safety for all occupants, not just those with visible impairments.
Shifting expectations in fire safety
The expectation for inclusive design is growing across all sectors.
End users, regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders increasingly treat accessibility as a baseline requirement rather than an enhancement.
Installers play a key role in meeting this expectation.
By working with manufacturers focused on life safety and advising clients on emerging standards, they help ensure that fire systems reflect how buildings are used.
This involves considering a broad range of users, including vulnerable people such as the elderly or children as well as those with cognitive impairments or limited mobility.
Systems must also support visitors unfamiliar with the building layout or language, especially if it is a public building.
Inclusive design is no longer a future goal, it is here and now and should reflect both societal values and legal obligations.
Installers who take accessibility into account early in the design process are helping set a new standard for life safety.
To learn more about Hochiki’s approach to inclusive fire safety and how our systems can support your next project, visit hochikieurope.com
Installer checklist for inclusive systems
Present yourself as a trusted partner to clients, focus on:
- Work with specialists – align with manufacturers who focus solely on life safety, ensuring the systems you install are designed with this purpose in mind.
- Offer complete solutions – demonstrate how you can deliver fire detection, emergency lighting and EVC integration as one coherent system
- Provide wireless options – recommend wireless technology where heritage buildings, healthcare sites, complex designs or retrofits make cabling impractical
- Highlight adaptable features – show clients the value of programmable panels, staged evacuation logic and flexible device placement for meeting diverse needs
- Reduce ongoing burden – promote solutions with self-testing emergency lighting and other smart maintenance features that save time and support vulnerable users
- Prove compliance through examples – share project experience and reference accredited products to give clients confidence in your approach
For installers, presenting themselves as aligned with these values can help clients see them not only as system integrators but as trusted partners who will deliver safety strategies that remain robust over time.
