Leading the conversation on accessibility with Hochiki
Iain Hoey
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With accessibility shaping expectations in modern buildings, Hochiki examines how fire installers are taking on a wider advisory role across diverse environments
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, extending to every occupant, regardless of ability.
This shift requires a broader role for fire professionals, who are now expected to advise clients on accessibility as well as fit systems.
The most forward-thinking installers are engaging with clients early in the design phase, 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 Middle East, local codes often blend UL and EN requirements to address safety in complex, high-density buildings where occupant needs vary widely.
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.
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.
Despite the tragedy taking place in the UK, legal and reputational pressures have increased globally since Grenfell Tower fire.
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 are not just system integrators; they are strategic partners.
They help clients understand why inclusive fire safety is worth investing in, guiding them through real-world needs, how to navigate the complexities of standards and the wide range technologies available on the market.
In the Middle East, Dubai Metro is the backbone of the city’s transport network, moving millions every day.
Since 2021, the Roads and Transport Authority has partnered with Hochiki Europe and local experts Dafoos Fire & Security, fitting SOC-E3 smoke detectors across metro cabins to quietly protect passengers at scale, evidenced over busy periods like Eid Al-Fitr, when the Metro alone carried 2.43 million riders in three days.
Engineered for Dubai’s demanding conditions, heat, dust and humidity, Hochiki’s detectors deliver dependable, low-nuisance detection that keeps services running safely across a fleet operated by Keolis-MHI, with around 50 trains typically in service at peak.
This reliability helps ensure swift, accurate alerts and coordinated responses, minimising disruption while maximising passenger safety on both Red and Green lines.
Crucially, this is fire safety designed with accessibility in mind: consistent, rapid detection and clear system responses support safe evacuation for everyone, including passengers who may need more time or assistance.
With the Blue Line planned to extend the network by 30 km by 2029, the approach scales, adding more detectors and maintaining the same inclusive standard of protection as ridership grows.
The Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital 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.
These projects demonstrate that inclusive systems 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
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.
Features such as programmable control panels, self-testing luminaires in emergency lighting and systems which enable staged evacuation logic can reduce maintenance burden and support vulnerable building users more effectively.
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 relevant safety standards 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 globally.
Designing for varied user needs improves safety for all occupants, not just those with visible impairments.
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.
Shifting expectations in fire safety
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.