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TIMEGUARD: The disabled WC alarm grows up
Story
We’ve all seen the ring pulls in disabled WC’s and the warming lights above the door outside, and they work perfectly well if there is going to be somebody close by at all times to notice if the over door light or audible alarm goes off. Perhaps it is just because there needs to be someone there to notice the alarm that the valuable protection these systems can provide is kept to the bare minimum and restricted to the WC. But what about other areas of the building such as waiting rooms, changing rooms, etc? The new emergency assist systems can provide additional security and assurance for all users of premises who may at some time or other be alone and vulnerable – disabled, elderly, lone workers, visitors and residents. They are stylish, integrated emergency call systems that range from a single alarm station in, say, a private home or WC to systems that monitor alarm calls over multiple zones at a single control panel. The latter are ideal in a building such as a care home or business with, say, an unstaffed waiting room, disabled W.C., laundry room or changing room and maybe a T.V. room. Whichever approach you choose – single station or multi-zone – you should expect to buy the complete kit in a box as with the Timeguard Emergency Assist range.
Simple activation
How do they work? Quite simply, anyone in need of assistance activates the alarm by pulling the emergency pull cord, activating a flashing lights and audible alarm both outside the room itself (light/alarm units are usually installed just outside or over the door) and, crucially, raising the alarm at the control panel as well. The control panel can be installed in a nearby, permanently-manned room. A simple push button resets the system. Up to four rooms can be monitored at a single control panel, installed in a suitable permanently manned area, ensuring that help will be on its way wherever in the building an emergency arises. A simple flashing light or alarm outside a WC is of little use if no one sees or hears it. The control panels for the new Timeguard range provide “Automatic Fault Detection” and display a warning light in the event of a fault. Also, an optional battery back-up kit is available that will keep the system running during AC mains failure.
Available Kits
Singe zone Timeguard kits comprise a 2-gang control panel, a pull cord and reset button for installation in the room, a unit with a bright flashing light and an audible alarm for installation outside the room, typically over the door and a “Disabled” sticker. The multi-zone kit includes a four channel master control panel featuring flashing lights to identify each zone, 2 x audible overhead door alarm units and 2 x disabled stickers. Extra components are available separately to build up as the installation requires. Connection between control panels and all other system components call only for simple two-wire low voltage links. So how do they look? In a word – good! Timeguard has recognised the importance of good design in helping installers to sell in the concept of emergency call systems to a far wider marketplace. It s new stylish slimline range is available in white plastic and stainless steel finishes to complement any interior.
