Is an EACIE System the Next Imperative Life Safety System?
Building evacuation has been under the spotlight over the past few years. Tragic events such as Grenfell Tower fire has prompted the construction industry to seek new solutions, such as introducing new systems and procedures to rethinking how buildings are designed.
A new system introduced to improve evacuation of a building in an emergency is the EACIE (Evacuation Alert Control Indication Equipment) system. These systems have been introduced through the creation of a new British standard, BS 8629.
In this article we will break down and answer questions of what a EACIE system is, where is it needed and how it works.
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What Is an EACIE System?
An EACIE is a life safety system which is used to initiate a phased evacuation on demand. This system is made up of several components which all aid in the facilitation of a building evacuation, these components are:
- EACIE Panel
- Vandal Proof Enclosure
- Sounders
- Enhanced Grade Fire Rated Cable
Where Is an EACIE System Used?
An Evacuation Alert Control and Indicating Equipment (EACIE) system is required in all new high-rise residential buildings of 18 metres or more as per The Building Regulations 2010 Fire Safety Document Part B. The system allows the fire services to initiate their own phased evacuations when a “stay put” strategy is no longer safe.
While it’s not legally required for existing buildings it is becoming popular for retrofitting an EACIE system due them being recommended as the result of a fire risk assessment or for high-risk buildings (e.g., those with cladding issues). Local regulations or fire assessments could also request the need for an EACIE system in medium-rise buildings (less than 18 meters) or other complex residential settings.
How Does A EACIE System Work?
An EACIE utilises a loop configuration method to assign one or multiple evacuation zones to each floor of a high-rise building. These systems are available in different zone variants, such as our EvacPro which offers 16, 32 and 48 switch options, making them ideal for taller buildings that far exceed the standard 18 metre height.
Outside each apartment, a loop isolator branches off to connect to addressable sounders or Visual Alarm Devices (VADs), which are installed and assigned to specific evacuation zones. In the event of an evacuation, the EACIE can activate the sounders across an entire floor to ensure a coordinated response.
Loop isolators are a crucial part of the system design as they prevent faults in one or more apartments from disrupting operations in other parts of the building, ensuring reliability and safety.
Is An EACIE System the Same As A Fire Alarm System?
No, these are not the same system, and the two systems cannot be combined. A EACIE system only has output devices (sounders) and does not use input devices (detectors) on the system. A fire alarm system can initiate a evacuation from a detector being activated. However, with an EACIE system the only way a sounder can be activated is through manual control. This manual control is done by the bank of switches found at the EACIE panel (such as our EvacPro).
There are also several other differences between an EACIE and fire alarm system, compiled in the table below:
Evacuation Alert Control Indication Equipment | Fire Alarm System
| |
| Governing Standard | BS 8629+A1:2023 | BS 5839 |
| Evacuation of Building | On demand by fire services | One out all out/ phased evacuation |
| Detectors | No | Yes |
| Sounders | Habitable tenant areas only | Throughout |
| Sounder Levels | 60 db(A) in habitable areas (doors closed) 85 db(A) at bedroom door (door open) | 65 db (A) throughout +5 db (A) above ambient sound in louder environments |
| Cable Type | FP120 or MICC | FP60, FP120 or MICC |
| Cable Colour | Easy to be determined from other life safety system | Red |
| Anti-Vandal Enclosure | Yes | No |
| Battery Backup | 72 Hours* | Client Specified |
| Loop Isolators | Every Apartment | Every 20 Addressable Devices |
| Accessible Control Functions | Evacuation Sounder Switches Only | Full |
| Programming Functions at Panel | None** | Full |
*Unless a backup generator is provided
** Via Laptop
Want To Know More?
If you’re intrigued by EACIE systems and their applications, don’t miss our accredited CPD session at our Leeds Event this May! Secure your spot here. Can’t make it to Leeds? Stay connected by following us on social media for updates on future online CPD presentations.
If you’re in need of a EACIE system for your next accommodation block project and want to know more about the EVAC Pro why not contact our sales team who will be happy to assist you in procuring a system.
You can also download our EvacPro brochure here
