(1) Adult entertainment establishments must make sure that an alarm system, with a distinctive (not confused with fire alarm, etc.) signal, is installed for the purposes of communicating entertainer violence related emergencies to employer-designated responders.

(2) Adult entertainment establishments must make sure alarm systems:

(a) Communicate the use/triggering of panic buttons.

(b) Identify the location of all panic buttons which have been used/triggered.

(c) Latch, or continue to both communicate the use/triggering of panic buttons, and identify the location of panic buttons which have been used/triggered, without requiring ongoing action(s) of the person that used the panic button. For example, entertainers must not be required to hold a button down to keep the alarm triggering.

(d) Are recognizable above surrounding noise and/or light levels by establishment designated responder(s) in all relevant portions of the establishment in which designated responders are acting in this role. Areas far enough away from an alarm, or where building materials or walls are in the alarms path, may reduce the effectiveness of the alarm to the point that it is no longer recognizable.

(3) For the purposes of this rule, panic button alarm systems can be categorized based on whether the entertainer's point of use features a silent (discreet), or a recognizable (audible/visual/tactile) alarm from the entertainer's and customer's perspective. Discreet panic buttons reduce the likelihood of escalating a confrontation towards violence, but at the same time prevent other entertainers and personnel in the area from knowing a panic button was used/triggered. See WAC 296-831-300(2) and the exception immediately following it for specific requirements regarding silent (discreet) vs. recognizable (audible/visual/tactile) alarm systems. Regardless of which method is used, associated hazards must be further mitigated by implementing either of the below, or a similarly protective, strategy:

(a) A multistage alarm (normally discreet at the panic button point of use, but switches to audible/recognizable at the point of use if the alarm system detects a malfunction that would prevent response actions); or

(b) A multicomponent alarm (discreet at the panic button point of use, but nonaudible alarm components (lights, etc.)) provided within adjacent booths/rooms/etc., and above/adjacent/on the entrance to booth(s)/room(s)/etc., to communicate to designated responders both the use, and location, of a panic button alarm in the area.