Lockdown apparatus for initiation of lockdown procedures at a facility during an emergency

A processor based lockdown controller for use with a lockdown system configured to facilitate implementation of lockdown procedures at a facility that is configured for occupation by facility occupants and that includes a fire alarm, the fire alarm including a fire alarm actuator and a fire alarm communicator configured to produce a fire alarm communication for communicating actuation of the fire alarm actuator, the lockdown system including a lockdown actuator disposed at the facility and configured to transmit a lockdown initiation signal upon being actuated, the lockdown actuator being configured to be recognizably distinguishable from the fire alarm actuator, the lockdown system also including a lockdown communicator configured to produce a lockdown initiation communication for communicating initiation of lockdown procedures to the facility occupants and individuals not disposed proximate the facility upon transmission of the lockdown initiation signal, the lockdown initiation communication being recognizably distinguishable from the fire alarm communication, the lockdown communicator including an annunciator that communicates an audible lockdown initiation annunciation to facility occupants upon transmission of the lockdown initiation signal so as to instruct facility occupants to adopt the lockdown procedures, the lockdown communicator including a visual indicator that communicates a visual indication to facility occupants upon transmission of the lockdown initiation signal so as to inform the facility occupants of the initiation of the lockdown procedures, the lockdown communicator also including a vibrator that creates vibrations of sufficient strength to be perceivable by facility occupants upon transmission of the lockdown initiation signal, the lockdown controller being operated by software so as to be capable of performing the following operations:

• receiving the lockdown initiation signal transmitted by the lockdown actuator;
• upon receipt of the lockdown initiation signal, instructing the annunciator to communicate the audible lockdown initiation annunciation, and instructing the visual indicator to communicate the visual indication;
• and
• upon receipt of the lockdown initiation signal, instructing the vibrator to create the vibrations of sufficient strength so as to be perceivable b the facility occupants.