Responsibilities - Alarm Systems

Employers are responsible for providing fire alarm systems. In workplaces of 10 or fewer employees, the system can consist of direct voice communication. Radios can be used to transmit alarms in workplaces where telephone service is not available, as long as the radio messages are monitored by emergency services, such as:

• Police
• Fire
• Emergency management

In remote areas, an employee may need to wear a personal radio transmitter. Information about an emergency can be directly communicated to the individual wearing the transmitter and should contain details, such as:

• Who is having an emergency
• The location of the emergency
• The nature of the emergency

In larger offices, a more complex system may be needed so that entire multi-story buildings are not evacuated unnecessarily or, so that entire buildings may be evacuated when the situation dictates.

Employers are also responsible for providing safe exit routes for prompt evacuation of employees and other building occupants in case of an emergency.

To learn more about Exit Routes and Fire Protection visit our Exit Routes, Emergency Action, Fire Prevention & Protection Online Training web page.