What Is an Evacuation Alert System and Does Your Building Need One?

What Is an Evacuation Alert System?

An Evacuation Alert System (EAS) is a specialised fire alarm system designed specifically for buildings where a traditional simultaneous evacuation strategy is not appropriate — primarily high-rise residential buildings. Rather than sounding an alarm throughout the entire building when a fire is detected, an EAS enables the fire service to issue targeted evacuation alerts to specific floors or zones, while other residents remain in place under a 'stay put' strategy.

The critical difference between an EAS and a standard fire alarm system is that the EAS is not operated automatically — it is under the control of the attending fire service, who use it as a tool to manage the evacuation of a high-rise building in a controlled and proportionate way.

Why Were EAS Systems Introduced?

EAS systems were introduced as part of the government's response to the Grenfell Tower fire and the subsequent review of fire safety in high-rise residential buildings. The traditional 'stay put' strategy — in which residents are advised to remain in their apartments unless directly affected by fire — came under significant scrutiny.

An EAS provides the fire service with a controlled means of overriding the stay put strategy on a floor-by-floor or zone-by-zone basis, without triggering a full building evacuation that could itself create risks — particularly in very tall buildings with large numbers of residents.

When Is an EAS Required?

Under BS 8629:2019 (the code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of EAS systems in multi-occupied residential buildings), an EAS is recommended for all new buildings above 18 metres in height that contain two or more residential units and where a 'stay put' strategy is in place.

Compliance with BS 8629 is not currently a statutory requirement for existing buildings — but it is increasingly expected by local fire and rescue services, building control authorities and insurers. For new high-rise residential buildings, an EAS is effectively mandatory in the current regulatory environment.

If your building is currently subject to a waking watch requirement, installing an EAS alongside your interim wireless fire alarm system may also provide a pathway to a more defensible long-term fire safety strategy.

What Does an EAS System Look Like in Practice?

A compliant EAS under BS 8629 consists of the following key components:

• A fire service activation point (FSAP) — typically located in the building's fire-fighting lobby — which the attending crew uses to operate the system
• Sounder circuits on each floor or zone, capable of independent activation
• Visual alarm devices (VADs) to alert residents with hearing impairments
• A control and indicating equipment (CIE) panel dedicated to the EAS function
• Integration with the building's existing fire detection and alarm system
• Two-way communication between the FSAP and individual floors