Belfast city is the second major airport in the country to install Deaf Alerter, a radio-based, fire alarm warning and messaging system for deaf and hard-of-hearing passengers and staff.
The system was installed to help the airport’s facilities comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, the latest part of which came into force last year.
If a conventional fire alarm or emergency warning is activated, deaf or hard-of-hearing people may be unable to act on them. The Deaf Alerter system overcomes this situation using small, hand-held devices which they wear.
At Belfast City Airport, passengers can borrow a device with an instruction booklet free-of-charge from the airport’s help desk. People who already have their own device simply have to register it at the same desk. The system comprises a VHF radio transmitter and aerial, which is permanently connected to the airport’s fire alarm system. This responds instantly to an alarm, vibrating and flashing to attract the wearer’s attention and will continue until the person is out of the building.
The Deaf Alerter system has another feature called the message manager, which provides access to audible, public address announcements and information. The message manager is linked to the airport’s flight information system, so when a message is issued audibly it is sent, simultaneously, to the Deaf Alerter unit.
“We believe our system makes for a more pleasurable travelling experience,” said managing director of Deaf Alerter, Steve Haseldine. “[You] know a safety provision has been made if a fire occurred and also know that you’ll be informed personally when your flight is leaving.”
He added: “Many organisations are unaware of their obligation to provide fire safety to all people, including those with disabilities.”
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