What is an Area of Refuge?
How it Works in Stairwells (Interior/Exterior) & Elevator Landings
An area of refuge is a designated area in a building for assisted rescue during an emergency. The concept was established to provide a location for building occupants, who cannot traverse the stairs without assistance, to assemble and await for help or instructions by first responders.
While the function of the area doesn’t change, the location and terminology used sometimes does. The safe location, in interior stairwells, elevator landings, or building exteriors, can be referred to as an 'Area of Refuge', 'Area of Rescue Assistance' or 'Elevator Landing Two-Way Emergency Communication'
