The LWF Blog
Facilities Management – Voice Alarm Systems – Part 3
November 24, 2016 12:34 pmIn our last few blogs for those people who work in Facilities Management and who have a responsibility for fire safety, we have been looking at fire alarm systems, and particularly voice alarm systems. In the last one, we established that studies have proven a voice system which gives particular direction to building occupants is more effective at instigating an efficient evacuation than a simple siren. Today, we’re going to look at Codes of Practice and how they came into effect.
While the concept of voice alarms as a part of a fire alarm system has been around since the early 70s, initially there was cause for confusion and in some cases, inappropriate fire alarm solutions were in use, due to a lack of firm guidance on the subject. Public address systems were increasingly used instead of conventional alarm sounders and fire alarm system design codes attempted to address this through basic principles. However, the guidance was limited and so this led to issues of inadequacy of the system in some cases.
It seemed that while the idea of a voice alarm system was attractive, it did mean that sometimes the emphasis on voice alarms in the fire alarm design meant that there were lapses in the ‘less interesting’ areas of the system, which are, of course, extremely important.
It wasn’t until 1998 that the design of voice alarm systems was addressed properly through a dedicated code of practice – BS 5839:8. The standard covers all aspects of voice alarm design including those areas which are common to both a voice alarm system and a standard fire alarm system and those which are particular to voice alarm systems only. BS 5839:8 remains current as of 2016, and was updated last in 2013.
Voice alarm systems which are found in Sports Stadiums are covered by BS 7827 as well as BS 5839:8, and there is also a European code of practice which is on the subject of sound systems for emergency purposes – BS EN 60849.
The design of a fire alarm system for the premises in question is extremely important and individually tailored to the building, occupancy and processes contained within. It is also worth noting that management practices in terms of maintenance and checks to the system and having a firm and well-practised plan in place for if a fire alarm occurs are as important as the design of the initial installation.
In next week’s blog, we’ll look at what factors should be taken into account when designing a voice fire alarm system. In the meantime, if you have any queries about your own facilities or wish to discuss this blog series, please contact Peter Gyere in the first instance on 0208 668 8663.
Lawrence Webster Forrest is a fire engineering consultancy based in Surrey with over 25 years’ experience, which provides a wide range of consultancy services to professionals involved in the design, development and construction and operation of buildings.