{"id":169405,"date":"2020-10-13T11:41:30","date_gmt":"2020-10-13T09:41:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.multibel.eu\/ontruimingsinstallatie-smartphone\/"},"modified":"2026-04-29T14:20:03","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T12:20:03","slug":"evacuation-system-smartphone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/multibel.eu\/en\/evacuation-system-smartphone\/","title":{"rendered":"Why use an evacuation system based on smartphones instead of pagers?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why does the market want a Cloud based smartphone silent alarm evacuation system instead of pagers?<\/h2><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

An evacuation system helps save lives. Detecting a fire or other calamity quickly is one thing, but a quick and safe way of evacuation is just as important. However, it is not so self-evident to think that everyone present can leave the building independently and safely. In user functions where those present are not self-reliant or have limited freedom, it is of great importance that no panic arises in the event of a calamity. We are talking about high risk objects. Care institutions, hospitals, prisons and some municipalities in the Netherlands therefore have a legal obligation to have a NEN2575-4 silent alarm evacuation system<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Until now, a Pager System was chosen. For years, there has been a desire within the industry to replace this Pager Installation, with a wireless silent alarm system that uses smartphones. In recent years, MultiBel has been certified by various certification bodies at numerous hospitals and healthcare institutions.<\/p>\n

\n

Many companies claim they can\u2026<\/p>\n

Many companies pretend they can\u2026<\/p>\n

But we are the first to make it happen.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Quote Maurits Knopjes (owner MultiBel)<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"evacuation<\/span><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

No extra device<\/h2>\n

All healthcare staff carry a care device for healthcare automation. Sometimes these are still DECT devices, but the future is undoubtedly smartphone-based. How logical is it, then, to use that same device during evacuations as well?<\/span><\/p>\n

Ease of use<\/span><\/p>\n

The pagers must be taken from the rack by the employees and also returned. It sounds easy, but in practice this leads to resistance from users, or it gets forgotten. No one forgets the care device.<\/p>\n

Pagers require maintenance & have a limited lifespan<\/h2>\n

A pager must be inspected annually. This also applies to a smartphone solution that depends on a server on location. In addition, the pagers regularly break and are often no longer available after a number of years, so that a whole new pager installation has to be purchased. MultiBel is a Cloud based solution. The connections are continuously monitored, which means that most of the maintenance is lost. No transmitters are needed to reach the pagers, so no transmission license is required. However, the internal WIFI network and\/or the accessibility of the wireless telecom network within the buildings must be sufficient.<\/p>\n

Mass alerting<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A pager is expensive if you calculate the costs per device. That is why it is often opted for a minimum number of pagers per location, but in the event of an emergency evacuation you would actually want to send information to many more, if not all, employees clear instructions about what is expected of them. This is possible with a smartphone-based solution because the hardware is already available. By sending the message en masse, an eviction is much more efficient and the personal damage is limited.<\/p>\n

Extra functionalities<\/h2>\n

A pager is simple to use but also offers very few extra functionalities. With MultiBel there are suddenly many other functionalities that can be used during an evacuation. MultiBel can also be used to allow the evacuees to communicate directly with each other. This can be done via the walkie-talkie function in the app or the conference call. A common picture is created much faster because stakeholders can talk to each other. Other options are, for example, sharing photo and video, scheduling tasks and sending task cards and evacuation plans.<\/p>\n

Reliability<\/h2>\n

MultiBel has been implemented redundantly over the entire chain in geographically separated data centers. Tests are performed periodically on the website application and the mobile app. This guarantees an availability of 99.95%. In addition, a pager system solution depends on 1 or 2 support transmitters. In case these do not work due to a fire, for example, the whoe evacuation procedure and emergency notification is disrupted. MultiBel relies on the internal WIFI and the mobile data. Operation is guaranteed by continuous monitoring based on EN50136-1\/A1 & EN50518.<\/p>\n

Warning in case of understaffing<\/h2>\n

Do I have sufficient emergency responders at all locations at all times? Or are there times, e.g. at night, that I do not meet the requirements of the company emergency plans or the fire service? MultiBel registers through the automatic attendance registration 24 hours a day whether the requirements are met and in the event of understaffing, a report is sent to those responsible. A report is also made of this that can be further analyzed.<\/p>\n

Finance<\/h2>\n

MultiBel is a Private Cloud based PaaS solution, a service without hardware, that fits in the context of NEN 7512. It works with an annual subscription. A pager system is an expensive system that often involves a high one-time investment, high annual maintenance costs and replacement of broken pagers.<\/p>\n

Platform for many applications<\/h2>\n

MultiBel can be used as an evacuation system, but once the system is in place, it can also be used for many other applications. Alerting the emergency response team, alerting the facility service in the event of technical failures, alerting colleagues in the event of aggression or lone workers who do not respond, etc. Additional care providers in the immediate vicinity of the building can also be approached for assistance. Numerous applications and therefore a complete integration of the call system in the emergency plans.<\/p>\n

“Code Tabaksblat” \u2013 several directors’ liability<\/h2>\n

Since the 2012 Building Decree, the responsibility for fire safety has rested with the user. If after a fire it appears that fire safety is not plausible, drivers can be held liable. However, the Building Decree assumes minimum requirements to achieve a fire-safe building. The “Tabaksblat Code” goes further and requires drivers to properly fulfill their duty of care with regard to the safe escape of people who are not self-reliant from a building. MultiBel as an evacuation system offers many advantages compared to a pager, so that the evacuation will be carried out more effectively and the management of the healthcare institution will be unburdened.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Extra functionalities<\/h2>\n<\/div>

A pager system is simple to use, but offers few additional functionalities. MultiBel is used as a safety platform with numerous other features that can be deployed during an evacuation.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Aggression alarm systems and protection of lone workers<\/h3><\/div>
\"lone<\/span><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n

Working alone is permitted, provided the employer takes sufficient measures to protect the employee. In the MultiBel app, you can choose from four different types of protection. Your specific situation determines the need: man down detection, motionlessness detection, interval check-ins<\/strong>, or an emergency\/ aggression button<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You can also preconfigure whether the alert is sent to colleagues and\/or a private alarm receiving center.<\/p>\n

Our app solution is certified with the K21023 Mobile Security certification<\/strong>, demonstrating that it meets the standards regarding quality, reliability, and personal security<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Lone worker system<\/span><\/a><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Communication – replacement for walkie-talkies<\/h3><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"walkie-talkie<\/span><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n

MultiBel can also be used to enable direct communication between evacuation coordinators.\u00a0This can be done via the walkie-talkie function<\/strong> in the app or through a telephone conference call<\/strong>. A shared situational awareness develops much faster because stakeholders can speak with each other directly.\u00a0In addition, photos, videos, task cards, and evacuation floor plans<\/strong> can also be shared. This eliminates the need to purchase expensive hardware.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Walkie-talkie app<\/span><\/a><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Emergency response team \u2013 technical malfunctions \u2013 IT issues<\/h3><\/div>

By using MultiBel for a wide range of applications<\/a>, the daily use of the app increases.
\nAs a result, during emergency response incidents, technical malfunctions, IT issues, or even cyberattacks, colleagues all use the same platform to alert, inform, and communicate.<\/p>\n

A crisis never unfolds exactly as expected. Preparation is half the battle, but a flexible alerting system supports the crisis team in minimizing damage in practice.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Emergency Response<\/span><\/a><\/div>
IT alerting<\/span><\/a><\/div>
Technical failures<\/span><\/a><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Sales contact<\/h2><\/div>

Contact us for more information or a demo.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/p>

    <\/ul><\/div>\n
    \n
    \n<\/fieldset>\n
    \n\t

    <\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n\t

    <\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n\t

    <\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n\t

    <\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n<\/div>\n
    \n<\/div>\n