Area of Refuge, Built Into Your Safety Ecosystem

Code Blue Area of Refuge solutions connect occupants, responders, and your operations team through one reliable platform that flexes to fit any facility.

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Code Compliant. Cloud Connected.
Specifier Friendly.

Built to Code

Engineered to meet IBC, NFPA 72 Chapter 24, ADA, and ICC A117.1 requirements. Specification-ready language for Division 28 and Division 27.

Cloud-Managed

Monitored, remote reporting, and automatic failover across cellular, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi keep the system connected when it matters.

Flexible to Specify

Choose cloud, server, virtual machine, or line-powered analog. One ecosystem, four deployment paths, no compromise on compliance.

Area of Refuge belongs inside your safety ecosystem, not bolted onto it.

For too long, Area of Refuge has been specified as a code-driven afterthought. A separate hardware kit. A separate vendor. A separate set of problems for facilities teams to inherit on day one.

Code Blue takes a different position. Area of Refuge is an integrated layer of your full emergency communication operation, engineered on the same Cloud platform that powers our broader Help Point systems. That means the moment a button is pressed in a stairwell, your facility is drawing on close to 40 years of emergency communication expertise, not a fire-panel accessory.

The result is a system you can specify with confidence and that an owner can rely on for the life of the building.

Reliable Area of Refuge communication, managed through the Code Blue Cloud.

Code Blue Cloud AOR runs your Area of Refuge communication through a secure, managed cloud platform that handles SIP registration, call routing, e911/DID, diagnostics, and reporting. It supports both IP and analog devices, integrates with your existing infrastructure, and stays connected through cellular, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi failover.

For facilities transitioning away from aging POTS landlines, Cloud AOR removes a costly dependency. For multi-site owners, it brings every Area of Refuge under one centralized view.

What Cloud AOR includes

  • Cloud-based SIP registration with e911/DID support

  • Encrypted VPN tunnels for secure connections

  • Failover across cellular, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi

  • Centralized monitoring across one site or many

  • IP and analog device support (analog requires one or more FXS gateways)

  • Backup call routing to 911 dispatch when on-site is unstaffed

  • Self-monitoring with scheduled test reports and instant fault notifications

Not ready for Cloud? We've got you covered.

  • Cloud AOR (recommended)

    Best for new construction, modernizations, multi-site portfolios, and any facility moving off POTS lines. Includes managed call routing, failover, and remote monitoring through the Code Blue Cloud platform.

  • ToolVox® XS Server

    Best for facilities that prefer or require an on-premise communications platform. A 1U rack-mountable appliance with self-monitoring and diagnostic features, ideal for organizations standardizing on local infrastructure.

  • ToolVox XV Virtual Machine

    Best for IT-mature organizations that want to run the Code Blue software on existing virtualization infrastructure. Eliminates the need for a dedicated server appliance on site.


  • Line-Powered Analog

    Best for smaller projects, retrofits, or facilities that cannot accommodate secondary power. A practical implementation path that brings Code Blue reliability and code compliance to projects where a full ToolVox deployment is not the right fit.

Talk to an AOR Specialist to determine the right path

From button press to first response,
every step is engineered for reliability.

Activate

A person in the Area of Refuge presses the call button on a Code Blue speakerphone. Hands-free, two-way communication opens immediately.

Connect

The call routes to the master station cabinet inside the building, where authorized personnel can respond. Cloud AOR connections are encrypted and continuously monitored.

Redirect on failover

If the building is not 24-hour staffed, or if the on-site response point is unavailable, the system redirects the call to a third-party dispatch center or directly to 911 over PSTN. The system also fails over across cellular, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi connectivity to keep communication alive.

Reliability You Don’t Have to Wonder About

A specification is the start of the relationship. Code Blue Area of Refuge systems are designed to operate reliably long after the building opens, and to surface issues before they become emergencies.

Self-monitoring and scheduled testing

Cloud AOR runs automated tests of connected devices and delivers instant notifications when something needs attention. Property owners see uptime, not surprises.

Centralized visibility across sites

Whether you operate one facility or a portfolio, Cloud AOR brings every Area of Refuge into a single view. Remote monitoring of Code Blue phones and supported third-party devices is included.

Predictable lifecycle cost

Managed services, remote diagnostics, and self-monitoring features help reduce truck rolls and unplanned maintenance. Backed by Code Blue’s training, support, and parts program.

Built to meet the codes your spec depends on.

Code Blue Area of Refuge systems are designed to meet the regulatory requirements that govern two-way emergency communication in stairwells, elevator landings, and other designated refuge spaces.

International Building Code (IBC)

IBC requires two-way communication systems in specific occupancies and building configurations. Code Blue AOR systems meet IBC two-way communication requirements for new construction and modernization projects.

ADA Standards for Accessible Design (ADAAG)

The ADA Standards establish physical, signage, and accessibility requirements for Area of Refuge components. Code Blue speakerphones and AOR signage are designed to meet these requirements.

NFPA 72, Chapter 24

Chapter 24 of the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code governs emergency communication systems, including Area of Refuge. Code Blue AOR systems support the call routing, supervision, and trouble signal requirements of NFPA 72.

ICC A117.1

A117.1 is the accessibility standard referenced by IBC. Code Blue AOR systems meet A117.1 requirements for two-way communication system accessibility.

A complete kit, engineered to integrate.

Every component in a Code Blue Area of Refuge system is selected, tested, and supported as part of one ecosystem. Specifying Code Blue means specifying components that work together by design.

Code Blue Speakerphones (IP and Analog)

Rugged, feature-rich speakerphones deliver hands-free two-way communication with first responders.

UPS Battery Backup

Provides at least four hours of standby operation during a power outage, plus surge and data-line protection.

FXO and FXS Gateways

Convert analog phone lines into VoIP connections or vice versa. Available in 2, 4, 8, and 24-port configurations.

Code Blue Speakerphones (IP and Analog)

Rugged, feature-rich speakerphones deliver hands-free two-way communication with first responders.

AOR Signage

ADA, NFPA 101, and IBC compliant. Vandal-resistant and ADA-compliant raised lettering.

IP Desk Phone and Extension Module

Receive and manage emergency calls from connected Area of Refuge stations.

ToolVox® XS Server / XV Virtual Machine

The central communication platform for on-premise deployments. Self-monitoring, diagnostic-ready, and tested for emergency-grade reliability.

PoE Network Switch

Reliable Power over Ethernet for connected IP devices. 8, 16, and 24-port configurations.

Network Equipment Rack

12U wall-mountable, vented, locking. Designed for AOR network equipment.

Specifier Frequently Asked Questions

  • Code Blue AOR systems are designed to meet IBC, NFPA 72 Chapter 24, ADA Standards for Accessible Design, and ICC A117.1 requirements. Final compliance depends on local jurisdiction and project conditions; our team can support you in adapting the design.

  • Cloud AOR routes communication through a managed cloud platform, with self-monitoring, automatic failover, and centralized reporting included. On-premise options (ToolVox® XS Server or ToolVox® XV Virtual Machine) run the same Blue Alert® software locally and are well suited to facilities standardizing on local infrastructure.

  • Line-powered analog is a practical implementation path for smaller projects, retrofits, or facilities that cannot accommodate secondary power. It delivers code-compliant two-way communication without requiring a full ToolVox deployment. Cloud AOR remains the recommended path when project conditions support it.

  • Cloud AOR is designed to fail over across cellular, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi connectivity. On-premise deployments use UPS battery backup to provide at least four hours of standby operation. If the on-site answering point is unavailable, the system can redirect calls to a third-party dispatch center or 911 over PSTN.

  • Yes. Cloud AOR is designed to support multiple locations under one centralized management view, which makes it well suited to campuses, healthcare systems, school districts, and multi-property portfolios.

  • In most cases, yes. Code Blue offers FXO and FXS gateways to connect analog phone lines (POTS), private branch exchanges (PBX), and PSTN to the system. Our team can review your existing infrastructure as part of the design consultation.

  • That depends on how the system is configured. Calls typically route to a master station inside the building, staffed by on-site personnel. When the building is not 24-hour staffed, Code Blue AOR can redirect unanswered calls to a third-party dispatch center or directly to 911.

  • Code Blue AOR components, including speakerphones and signage, are designed to meet ADA Accessibility Guidelines. Full project compliance depends on installation, placement, and any local code requirements, which the design consultation process is built to address.

  • Code Blue provides training, technical support, parts, and maintenance to keep your AOR system operating reliably. Cloud AOR adds self-monitoring, scheduled testing, and remote diagnostics to reduce on-site maintenance.

  • Download the AOR Specification Package above for a spec-ready overview. For CAD or Revit files, contact our team through the Design Consultation request.

Ready to specify Area of Refuge with confidence?

Whether you’re planning a new build, a major renovation, or a multi-site rollout, the Code Blue team can help you design the right system for your project. Talk to an AOR specialist, or download the specification package and get started on your own time.

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