What is the Area of Refuge?
Definition: What Does the Term Area of Refuge Mean?
An established area for occupants of a building to congregate, if an emergency should occur, such as a fire. The area of refuge is an area identified by the fire department and is normally in a place within a stairway that is fire protected with ( 2 ) hour rated walls. The fire safety plan of the project will incorporate this area of refuge and it will be qualification of the final certificate of occupancy. The building codes are specific to the required area of refuge needed, as well as the locations required to these areas of refuge. The 911 disaster has caused considerable discussion regarding established areas of refuge and has stimulated the importance of such requirements.