CAST Blue Lockdown Call Point

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, or “Martyn’s Law”, means premises with a capacity of 200 or more are now legally required to prepare to have public protection measures in place, including lockdown plans, by April 2027.

Designed to improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK, Martyn’s Law means that those responsible for certain premises and events need to be better prepared and protected, ready to respond in the event of a terrorist attack or security incident.

Standard tier venues (with capacities for 200-799 people) need public protection procedures, including lockdown, communication, and evacuation/invacuation plans. Enhanced tier venues (with 800+ capacities) need the same but are additionally required to implement other specific measures and monitor the premises and immediate vicinity.

C-TEC’s battery-backed and fully-monitored lockdown solutions have been designed to help schools, theatres, shopping centres and other commercial and public venues comply with the legislation.

How does a lockdown system work?

A lockdown system (sometimes known as an invacuation system) is typically used to direct people to a designated secure area within a building to avoid threats from, say, active shooters or bomb alerts. To do this they sound distinctive alarms and/or voice messages throughout the building that are different from a venue’s fire evacuation or burglar alarm tones to avoid confusion.

The exact operation of a lockdown system and the actions that need to be taken when a threat is detected will be dependent on the venue’s risk assessment and emergency plan.

As requirements will differ from site to site, C-TEC’s lockdown solutions are designed to be tailorable to a building’s specific needs. They comprise a range of special multi-message voice sounders with a selection of pre-recorded messages and blue-flashing beacons that can be easily added to our dedicated LAP2/CA lockdown-alert panel or any ZFP CAST-protocol addressable fire system.

Messages can be triggered either manually via a set of secure keyswitches or by activating one or more lockdown call points, again dependent on the building’s risk assessment.

Lockdown voice messages

The following voice messages are available as standard on C-TEC’s lockdown sounders and sounder VADs:-

Message 1 (external threat, partial lockdown situation)

“This is a lockdown alert. There is a threat outside the building. Please follow partial lockdown procedure. Stay calm and stay alert for further instructions.”

Message 2 (internal threat, partial lockdown situation)

“This is a lockdown alert. There is a threat within the building. Please follow partial lockdown procedures. Stay calm and stay alert for further instructions.”

Message 3 (internal threat, full lockdown situation)

“This is a full lockdown alert. There is an immediate threat within the building. Please follow full lockdown procedure. Stay calm and stay alert for further instructions.”

Message 4 (all clear, situation resolved)

“All clear, The emergency has been resolved. All clear. All clear. The emergency has been resolved. All clear.”

Alternative lockdown messages

Custom or coded voice messages can also be arranged by special order – contact our lockdown system support team at lockdown@c-tec.co.uk for more details.