The benefits of an emergency warning system seem obvious. Of course, you’d want to protect your employees, clients, and customers in the event of an emergency, right? As an ethical business owner, you want and need to ensure the safety of all those who enter your facility.
That being said, an emergency warning system has plenty of other benefits that might not be as obvious to the casual observer. Our team at Building Systems Solutions would know. We specialize in designing various communications systems, from general paging applications to multi-faceted, intelligible emergency warning systems. We’ve seen, time and time again, the benefits these systems bring to businesses of all types and calibers.
Read on to discover what purpose an emergency notification system for business could serve in your facility, regardless of what industry your business is a part of.
How Does an Emergency Warning System Work?
If you’re unaware, the function of an emergency alert system is as follows: in the event of anything from a weather-related emergency to a security or medical issue, the system is initiated to clearly and effectively inform individuals throughout a facility of the appropriate course of action.
Emergency warning systems work by providing audible and intelligible vocal instructions instead of a siren blare, giving all people in your facility the knowledge they need to initiate the appropriate procedures. They provide a single point of contact for everyone inside the building, which helps all those people know where to go and how to proceed during the emergency.
Additional messaging components, such as text or two-way radio, may also be incorporated. Visual messaging via a TV screen, computer monitor, or strobes might also be used, which are extra important for those who may not be able to hear the instructions.
An emergency warning system can also help indicate what should happen after the emergency is over, such as whether or not people can return to the building.
5 Ways an Emergency Warning System Benefits Your Business
Emergency warning systems carry with them quite a few benefits!
Meet OSHA Regulations
Updating or adding an emergency warning system will satisfy OSHA Regulations. An emergency warning system can be a legal requirement for certain facilities and industries under OSHA regulations.
Abiding by the law keeps you and your employees safe and saves you from the potential for expensive fines or penalties.
Show Building Tenants You Care
Emergency paging systems can show that you care as an employer. Happy and safe employees are quite a valuable asset!
Installing an emergency warning system can serve as a concrete indication that you, as an employer, care about the well-being of those working for you by protecting their safety within their workplace.
Reduce Liability
Having a safety plan and incorporating an emergency paging system can reduce liability. Facilities with an effective emergency paging system and an updated and practiced safety plan reduce the risk and liability on their company in the event of an emergency.
There may be potential savings on insurance costs for companies that utilize an effective system by incorporating a dedicated safety plan.
Keep People Calm in an Emergency
Mass panic is the last thing you want to see happen during an emergency. If everyone panics or does not know where to go, then there is the potential for people to get hurt or worse.
With a properly programmed emergency warning system, everyone will understand the instructions and comply without panicking. Every building evacuation should be able to run smoothly, which is why emergency warning systems are so important.
Have a Comprehensive Action Plan
When everyone knows what to do in an emergency, there is a better chance of cooperation and assistance getting everyone outside the building. This is particularly important for those in wheelchairs or needing extra assistance.
Elevators are usually out of commission during an emergency, so a stair evacuation escape chair might be needed. Promoting teamwork and cooperation during an emergency can help keep everyone safe.
Who Can Benefit From an Emergency Warning System?
The short answer to this question: everyone. Everyone can benefit from an emergency warning system. In fact, it should be one of the most important features to include when designing, building, or renovating a structure.
Every building tenant needs to know what to do in an emergency, from the owner to those living or working in the building. We hear many instances in the news about emergency warning systems helping to save lives.
Building Systems Solutions is passionate about ensuring the safety of every individual!
What Makes a Good Emergency Warning System?
Several aspects make up a good warning system. Warning systems should be audible and intelligible so everyone in the building can understand and react to the messages. If the message comes through garbled or too quiet, then people may not be able to understand the message and cannot react properly.
Good warning systems should also be visible in some way. Those who may not have good hearing need to be warned alternatively. This can come in the form of text messages, strobe lights, or video displays.
Your emergency warning system should also be reliable. Regular tests are vital for ensuring the system works properly, which can also help people know in advance what to do during an emergency. You do not want a warning system to fail during a fire or other emergency.
A great addition to an emergency warning system includes maps. Maps posted around a building can show the route if a person is in that location. This is especially useful for guests who are not familiar with the building. At a glance, they can understand the correct route to safety.
Building Systems Solutions Would Be Happy to Be of Service
We’re a Blaine provider of everything from sound masking systems to emergency warning systems, and we’re ready to lend our expertise to your forward-thinking business. Give us a call now at 763-502-1515.