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[email protected] · October 4th 11, 08:41 AM posted to uk.transport.london

In article ,
(Chris J Dixon) wrote:

Neil Williams wrote:

It would seem that Clapham Junction has the rather annoying type of
sounder which is painful to the ear, presumably to ensure people
*actually do* evacuate rather than ignoring it. But that seems not to
have worked...

One Saturday back in March, I was at St Pancras, in the Circle
area, and there was a two-tone sound on the PA, followed by the
information that this was an emergency, and all passengers must
leave by the nearest exit.

Most passengers heeded the instruction, and headed out. Just as I
got through the main entrance, there was another PA announcement.
However, as I was passing out through the door at the time, its
content was unclear. I guess that it might have been an apology
for a false alarm.

There was no visible member of staff at the exit, incoming
passengers (who continued to enter) were somewhat confused, and
some of those leaving attempted to explain the situation.
Everybody eventually trooped back in.

Several minutes later, half of the destination displays above the
"Market" area still showed that a fire alarm had activated, and
passengers should leave.

So, why had no staff member appeared visibly at the exit to
manage the situation and deter incoming passengers? What is the
point of using the PA (and no other means) of explaining to
passengers, who should by then be outside the building, that it
was safe to return? Why had the display not been cleared when the
alarm was, presumably, reset?

Does the system now trigger completely automatically, without any
manual filter, or was it finger trouble somewhere? Where was
Inspector Sands when he was needed ;-)

Odd. I heard a call for Inspector Sands exactly there not long ago.

--
Colin Rosenstiel