Euralarm has published new guidance on the use of fire detection and alarm (FD&A) systems to support lockdown and evacuation measures, thereby taking an important step in the further development of safety strategies for various types of hazards across Europe.
Traditionally, FD&A systems have been designed and implemented to ensure safe and rapid evacuation in the event of a fire. However, today’s risk landscape increasingly requires buildings to be able to respond effectively to a wider range of threats, including intruders, violent incidents, external hazards or environmental risks. These new guidelines demonstrate how existing FD&A infrastructures can be utilised to support both evacuation and lockdown scenarios in a safe, compliant and coordinated manner.
The document emphasises that whilst integration is possible and often beneficial, fire safety must always remain the top priority. Whenever FD&A systems are used for purposes other than fire protection, it must be ensured that fire detection, alarm transmission and evacuation signals are never compromised. A clear distinction between the signals is essential, with different tones, messages and procedures to avoid confusion among building occupants.
A key principle highlighted in the guidelines is that signals for lockdowns may share the FD&A infrastructure – thereby benefiting from its reliability, monitoring and resilience – provided the system is carefully designed. Fire alarm signals must remain clearly distinguishable and must not be masked, delayed or overridden by other warning messages.
The guidelines also examine how various European countries are addressing this issue. Whilst there is no harmonised EU regulation, national frameworks are increasingly supporting a multi-hazard approach. Examples of this include the Netherlands, where evacuation alarm systems are explicitly intended for ‘fires or other emergencies’, as well as recent updates in the United Kingdom that allow the use of fire alarm signal devices for lockdown measures with clear signalling.
Beyond the regulatory context, the document contains practical recommendations for technology and planning. These include conducting thorough risk assessments, defining a clear cause-and-effect logic, ensuring signal intelligibility, and establishing priority hierarchies between evacuation and lockdown functions. The importance of integrating these strategies into the overall fire safety concept and obtaining approval from the relevant authorities is also strongly emphasised.
The guide also highlights the importance of human factors. In emergency situations, building occupants must be able to quickly recognise what actions to take. This requires clear, understandable messages, regular training and well-rehearsed procedures. Whether it is a matter of evacuating or securing a building – the effectiveness of the measures depends not only on technology, but also on preparedness.
As buildings become increasingly complex and risks more diverse, integrated emergency communication systems are becoming increasingly important. This new guideline provides a harmonised framework to help stakeholders design and implement systems that support both evacuation and lockdown strategies without compromising safety or regulatory compliance.
With this publication, Euralarm continues to support its members and the industry as a whole in adapting to evolving security challenges, promoting best practice and improving the protection of people and property across Europe.
The Euralarm guideline on the use of fire detection and alarm systems for lockdown measures download
