Ensuring Your Facility Has Inclusive Security

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13 February 2026 | Updated 12 February 2026

Spy Alarms, providers of security solutions, are urging those in FM to rethink the design of workplace safety systems so they are more inclusive.  

Offices are increasingly designed to be more flexible, comfortable, and inclusive. Yet when it comes to fire safety and security systems, many workplaces don't fully cater to everyone’s needs.  

Disability and neurodiversity have always been part of the workforce, yet fire safety and security technology often assumes everyone can respond to alarms, follow instructions, and evacuate in the same way. In reality, people experience emergencies very differently. 

Most security and fire safety systems assume that employees can: 

• Hear an alarm clearly.
• Follow verbal instructions instantly.
• Navigate using standard signage.
• Move quickly in an emergency.

But many employees experience emergencies differently. For example:

• Hearing impairments can prevent people from hearing alarms or announcements.
• Visual impairments can make navigating smoke-filled corridors challenging.
• Autism and sensory sensitivities can make loud alarms and flashing lights overwhelming.
• Anxiety or PTSD can affect how people process instructions under stress. 

Workplaces need to recognise that people respond differently in emergencies, and our systems need to reflect that. Inclusive security doesn’t mean replacing systems - it means adapting them, so they work for everyone. Here are some practical steps businesses can take: 

1. Multi-Sensory Alarms and Alerts 

Don’t rely on sound alone. Alarms should include flashing lights, vibration alerts, visual displays and alternative alarm tones. This ensures everyone receives the warning in a way that they can recognise and respond to. 

2. Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans 

Create individualised evacuation plans for employees who may need support. These can include assistance needs, preferred evacuation routes, a buddy system, and communication preferences. These plans help staff feel safer and ensure smoother evacuations. 

3. Accessible Entry and Exit Systems 

Ensure entry and exit systems are accessible for everyone. Consider having hands-free doors, voice or tactile options, adjustable height card readers and clear instructions for visitors. This reduces barriers and prevents unsafe shortcuts like propping doors open. 

4. Regular Inclusive Fire Drills 

Run drills that reflect workplace diversity, by allowing extra time for evacuations, practising alternative routes, including scenarios with sensory overload and involving staff with disabilities in planning. This will make drills a lot more effective.  

5. Clear Communication Protocols 

During an emergency, communication should be calm and concise, repeated in multiple formats (visual, text and verbal). This helps everyone understand what’s happening and what to do next.  

6. Visual and Easy-Read Emergency Instructions 

Make instructions simple and easy to understand. Use clear language, include pictograms and provide large print versions.  

7. Accessible CCTV and Monitoring Practices 

CCTV should support safety without creating anxiety. Ensure cameras are positioned respectfully, avoid monitoring sensitive areas, and provide clear signage so staff understand what is being recorded and why. 

Picture: An image of a person wearing a high-vis vest, holding a tablet and stylus.

Article written by Dave Mapps | Published 13 February 2026

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