Euralarm publishes guidance on fire detection and alarm systems for lockdown

Traditionally, fire detection and alarm systems have been designed and implemented to ensure safe and rapid evacuation in the event of fire. However, today’s risk landscape increasingly requires buildings to respond effectively to a broader range of threats, including intruders, violent incidents, external hazards or environmental risks. This new guidance demonstrates how existing fire detection and alarm infrastructures can be used to support both evacuation and lockdown scenarios in a safe, compliant and co-ordinated manner.

The document emphasises that, while integration is possible and often beneficial, fire safety must always remain the highest priority. Any use of fire detection and alarm systems for non-fire purposes must ensure that fire detection, alarm transmission and evacuation signalling are never compromised. Clear differentiation between signals is essential, with distinct tones, messages and procedures to avoid confusion among building occupants.

One key principle highlighted in the guidance is that lockdown signalling can share fire detection and alarm system infrastructure – leveraging its reliability, monitoring and resilience – provided that the system is carefully engineered. Fire alarm signals must remain clearly distinguishable and cannot be masked, delayed or overridden by other alerts.

Different approaches

The guidance also explores how different European countries are addressing this topic. While there’s no harmonised European Union regulation, national frameworks increasingly support a multi-hazard approach. Examples include the Netherlands, where evacuation alarm systems are explicitly intended for ‘fire or other emergencies’ and recent updates in the UK that allow fire alarm sounders to be used for lockdown with distinct signalling.

Beyond regulatory context, the document provides practical engineering and design recommendations. These include conducting thorough risk assessments, defining 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 protection concept and gaining approval from the relevant authorities is also strongly emphasised throughout.

Human factors

The guidance further highlights the importance of human factors. In emergency situations, occupants must be able to quickly understand what action to take. This requires clear and intelligible messaging, regular training and rehearsed procedures. Whether evacuating a building or securing it, the effectiveness of the response depends not only on technology, but also on preparedness.

As buildings become more complex and risks more diverse, integrated emergency communication systems are becoming increasingly important. This new guidance from Euralarm provides a harmonised framework to help stakeholders design and implement systems that support both evacuation and lockdown strategies without compromising safety or compliance.

Through this publication, Euralarm continues to support its members and the wider industry in adapting to evolving safety challenges, promoting Best Practice and enhancing the protection of people and property across Europe.

*Euralarm’s Guidance on the Use of Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Lockdown is available for download at www.euralarm.org