Emergency communications

Common questions

What counts as a compliant emergency alert channel under UK regulations?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and BS 5839-1, any emergency alert system must reach all staff and visitors instantly, override other content, and remain visible even if the main system fails. Digital signage can meet this if it’s configured to interrupt displays automatically and is backed by a UPS or battery supply.

Can digital signage really override other content during an emergency?

Yes, if the signage software supports emergency triggers. These can come from a fire alarm panel, a push button, or an API call. When activated, the system pauses scheduled content and displays the alert full-screen, with no manual steps required.

Do I need a separate contract for emergency alerts on digital signage?

Not necessarily. Some self-hosted signage platforms include emergency channels as part of the core licence, while others treat it as an add-on. Check your contract to see if alerts are included or if you need to enable them in the settings.

How do I test that emergency alerts will work during a real incident?

Schedule regular tests using the same triggers you’d use in an emergency—fire alarm activation, manual override, or API call. Record whether the alert appears on all screens, stays visible for the required duration, and returns to normal content afterwards.

What happens if the network or power goes down during an alert?

Screens connected to a UPS or battery-backed system will keep showing the alert until power is restored. For network failures, some setups store the last alert locally so it can still display even if the server is unreachable.

Can I use digital signage for non-emergency alerts too?

Yes. Most systems let you set different priority levels, so non-urgent messages can appear without interrupting higher-priority alerts. This avoids alert fatigue while keeping the channel ready for real emergencies.