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, or virtual machine. One ecosystem, three 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 options include 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 alternate destinations and/or 911 dispatch when on-site personnel are unavailable

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

  • A web-based portal that puts device inventory, status monitoring, call logs, and subscription details at your fingertips

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, device diagnostics and reporting, failover options, and remote monitoring through the Code Blue Cloud.

  • 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.

Talk to an AOR Specialist to determine the right path
Solution Type
Best For
Capacity Range
Deployment Model
Key Benefits
Analog + ToolVox XS
Facilities using analog Area of Refuge devices with on-premises control
Unlimited device scalability using analog gateways
On-premises appliance
Leverages a local on-premises server to deliver support for analog devices with the flexibility and control of a modern SIP-based system, enhanced by integrated device diagnostics and reporting for improved visibility and system performance.
VoIP + ToolVox XS
Facilities using VoIP Area of Refuge devices with on-premises control
Unlimited devices
On-premises appliance
Provides on-premises SIP registration with real-time diagnostics and reporting for improved visibility and system performance.
Analog + Cloud
Facilities wanting analog device support with cloud-based management
Unlimited device scalability using analog gateways
Cloud-connected with VPN router
Utilizes a feature-rich cloud platform to support analog devices while delivering the flexibility and control of a modern SIP-based system, with built-in diagnostics and reporting for enhanced visibility and performance, complemented by an intuitive Web Portal providing real-time status, device inventory, subscription tracking, call logs, and more. Provides call redirection for unanswered calls without dependency on POTS infrastructure.
VoIP + Cloud
Facilities wanting a fully cloud-connected VoIP system with cloud-based management
Unlimited devices
Cloud-connected with VPN router
Utilizes a feature-rich cloud platform to provide SIP registration, with built-in diagnostics and reporting for enhanced visibility and performance, complemented by an intuitive Web Portal providing real-time status, device inventory, subscription tracking, call logs, and more. Provides call redirection for unanswered calls without dependency on POTS infrastructure.

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 can also fail 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 and on-premise communication platforms run 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.

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.

Built to meet the codes your spec depends on.

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.

International Building Code (IBC)

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.

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.

NFPA 72, Chapter 24

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

ICC A117.1

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.

A complete kit, engineered to integrate.

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

Code Blue Speakerphones (IP & Analog)

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

UPS Battery Backup

FXO & FXS Gateways

Convert analog phone lines into VoIP connections or vice versa.

Centralize emergency response with a sleek, wall-mounted Area of Refuge Answering Station—designed for reliable communication, fast call management, and space-efficient installation.

Code Blue Master Station Cabinet

AOR Signage

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

IP Desk Phone & Extension Module

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

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

ToolVox® XS Server

PoE Network Switch

Reliable Power over Ethernet for connected IP devices.

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 delivers communications through a managed cloud platform, featuring built-in self-monitoring, automatic failover, and centralized reporting. The on-premise option (ToolVox® XS Server) operates using the same Code Blue Software locally and is ideal for facilities that prefer to standardize on-site 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 secondary location, 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 secondary location, 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.

  • Visit the Code Blue Specification page to download spec-ready documentation of our products. For CAD or Revit files, contact our team through the Design Consultation request.

  • An IP device converts voice into digital data and transmits it over a computer network, the same way email, video calls, and other internet traffic move. Because it operates on a network, it can support advanced features like remote management, analytics, and integration with your emergency communication systems. A line-powered analog phone communicates over a traditional telephone line (POTS), using dedicated telephone infrastructure to carry voice signals rather than a network connection. In many cases the phone also receives operating power directly from the telephone line, so it can continue functioning even when local building power is unavailable. Which path fits depends on your facility and existing infrastructure, and our team can help you determine the right one during the design consultation.

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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