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UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ENGLAND, BIRMINGHAM COMMIT TO STUDENTS’ SAFETY
Added: (Wed Dec 14 2005)
For Immediate Release: 15th December 2005
UCE Birmingham is large and split across many campuses which students, employees and visitors can roam across freely. This posed a problem for the safety of the Deaf community at the University. Recognising this, the potential risk of not being able to inform students or members of staff in an emergency situation especially a fire, had to be overcome.
This has now been achieved with Deaf Alerter PLC’s assistance, by installing their specifically designed Deaf Alerter® system, which greatly improves access and safety for Deaf and hard of hearing people in line with current legislation.
Graham Rhodes, Director of Estates for UCE Birmingham, commented: “We want to make sure our facilities are accessible by everyone. Currently the University is home to over 23,000 students and the number of entrants is increasing year on year and this increase is reflected in the number of Deaf and hard of hearing people now studying at the University. One in seven of the population is Deaf or hard of hearing, many experience hearing loss at frequencies specifically used for fire alarm warnings. We had concerns and carried out a lot of research to find the most-suitable and cost effective solution. The investment in Deaf Alerter is just one of many commitments by the University to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) that came into full force 1st October 2004. It’s not just about complying with the law; it’s also about creating a safe environment to study in.”
Deaf Alerter’s Managing Director, Steve Haseldine said: “As the market leader in the provision of fire safety for Deaf people, we work on many large projects but working with UCE Birmingham exemplifies the level of consideration that should be given to safety. The University demonstrates the highest possible commitment to all students, employees and visitors’ well-being, including those with disabilities to the very last detail. We hope the introduction of Deaf Alerter will encourage Deaf and hard of hearing people to apply to UCE Birmingham, knowing the University considers their safety as paramount.”
The Deaf Alerter system compromises, a VHF radio transmitter and aerial which is permanently connected to the University’s existing fire alarm panels and meets stringent health and safety requirements working to the British Fire Alarm standard BS 5839-1 in support of the DDA. This responds instantly to an alarm and each Alerter (small device worn by the Deaf or Hard of hearing person, as in image) in use receives a simultaneous signal, vibrating and flashing to attract the user’s attention. This will continue until the Alerter user is safely out of the building.
Complete building and campus coverage is UCE Birmingham’s ultimate goal but this will only be achieved through the roll-out programme of installation the University has embarked upon, starting with areas that presented the highest risk. Priority has been given to halls of residence and areas where students could be alone or public access areas as anyone can enter freely. Thereafter buildings will be installed with Deaf Alerter when budget is available, until site-wide coverage is achieved. At present around fifty percent of campuses display the Deaf Alerter logo, which is made visible when entering a building to indicating that a Deaf Alerter system is in operation. UCE Birmingham Students can obtain an Alerter from the Student Services Department.
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Contact: Liz Parslow-Smith, Marketing Manager Deaf Alerter Tel: 01332 363981, Minicom: 01332 291 921 Email:marketing@deaf-alerter.com Web: www.deaf-alerter.com (images available on request).
Contact: Sarah Archer, Press Officer, UCE, Tel 0121 331 6738