A panic button is an emergency button that can be pressed to immediately activate a silent alarm. It is intended to be used in response to robberies, violence or the threat of violence, or when an intruder is on the premises.
Panic buttons allow employees and others to easily and discreetly call for help, especially in situations where they are under duress. They are typically located in places that make them visible only to the employees.
Panic buttons are also known as duress alarms and hold-up alarms.
Panic buttons are part of a workplace’s overall security system. They is intended to be used when the presence of an intruder on the premises threatens the safety of the workers, customers, or visitors.
Since they can be activated in an instant, panic buttons are crucial in situations where calling security or the police is impossible, dangerous, or would take too long.
Panic buttons are often placed under desks or on countertops where personnel are likely to interact with site visitors (such as reception). They can also be located in areas where people might be vulnerable and far from help, such as parking garages.
Components of a Panic Button
Panic buttons are part of a system that consists of the button itself, along with a communication system used to summon help.
The Button
Different types of buttons are available, depending on the needs and design of the worksite. They can be:
- Single button or require two buttons to be pressed simultaneously
- Designed to be pressed with the hand, knee, or foot
- Software “buttons” that are not physical devices but can be activated on a desktop computer or mobile app
The Wiring
Panic button systems can either be wired or wireless.
Wired options are highly reliable but can be expensive and tedious to install.
Wireless buttons activate the communication system with a short-range radio transmitter. This makes them easier to install, allows them to be moved to different locations as needed, and enables them to be worn by an employees (on a lanyard, for instance). Since these are battery operated, they must be checked regularly to ensure they are operational and will fail if the battery dies.
The Communication System
The communication system can be connected to an on-site security control center, notify an off-site alarm monitoring service, or send an alert to a company response team (including, for instance, the safety manager, HR personnel, and site supervisors).
Some systems will send the emergency notification via a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) call to the desk phones in all relevant departments.
If connected to a video surveillance system, activating the panic button will also initiate the site’s video management software. In this case, the person receiving on the receiving end of the alarm will also be shown a feed from an on-site security camera so they can get a visual of the situation as it progresses.