Martyn's Law FAQs

Voice messaging is preferred because it provides clear, specific, and situation-dependent instructions, helping people respond correctly and safely during emergencies – something simple alarm tones struggle to achieve. 

Separate fire and lockdown systems could create confusion, conflicting instructions, and slower or incorrect responses, all of which increase risk especially if both were to be active at the same time thus instructing people to act in two completely opposite ways. Integrated systems help ensure clear, coordinated, and situation-appropriate guidance. 

While fire evacuations rely on structured movement to assembly points for safety and accountability, a security evacuation will likely be more dynamic and less predictable, avoiding large groups and focusing on keeping people out of harm in a way that reflects the specific threat of a terrorism event or attack. 

There is no requirement in Martyn’s Law itself, however the Fire Industry Association have written a guidance document advising how lockdown alarms specifically in schools should be handled and it recommends that this function is available. This can be achieved by programming a button on the fire alarm panel to activate an “all clear” tone or voice message to all lockdown AV devices.

This is a question that only the Responsible Person for a particular premises can make based on a site-specific risk assessment process. Which ever is decided upon to take priority, can be provided by Apollo protocol devices with a fire alarm panel capable of offering the required cause and effects programming. 

Apollo have previously exhibited a solution at Fire Safety Event 2026 and this will be installed in the Apollo factory facility and available for demonstrations – please do contact us to request a demo.