What is BS 5839-8-Code of practice for voice alarm systems about?
BS 5839-8 is the British Standard on fire detection and fire alarm systems which reduces the risk of death or serious injury from fire.
BS 5839-8 is the eight-part of the multi-series that gives recommendations for the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of voice alarm systems that automatically broadcast speech or warning tones, in response to signals from their associated fire detection and fire alarm systems.
BS 5839-8 also covers systems that include a manual facility for the transmission of live voice messages as well as automatically generated messages for emergency purposes.
Note 1: The fire detection and fire alarm systems themselves are covered by BS 5839-1.
Note 2: This standard applies to extensions and alterations to existing systems, at least in respect of the design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and the certification of the new work, albeit that the extended or altered system might not, overall, conform to this standard.
Note 3: BS 7827 provides further recommendations in respect of sports venues.
Who is BS 5839-8- Code of practice for voice alarm systems for?
BS 5839-8 on voice alarm systems for buildings is relevant to:
- Designers, manufacturers and suppliers of voice alarm systems
- Alarm receiving centres (ARC)
- Architects and building professionals
- Regulators and inspectors
- Fire/health and safety departments
- Installers and others responsible for implementing fire precautions in domestic premises
Why should you use BS 5839-8- Code of practice for voice alarm systems?
Fire alarms systems play a crucial role in today's society by detecting and warning us of the presence of smoke or fire. The fire alarms are activated automatically from a smoke and heat detector, or manually, by using fire alarm call points and pull stations.
BS 5839-8 is part of an extensive series of fire detection standards. It gives the latest guidelines and specifications relating to specific voice alarm systems and its overall purpose is to help save lives.
BS 5839-8 includes systems that involve a manual facility for the transmission of live voice messages as well as automatically generated messages for emergency purposes.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS 5839-8:2013 supersedes BS 5839-8:2008, which is withdrawn. As compared to the previous version, BS 5839-8:2013 includes the following principal changes:
- A new subclause 14.2 has been added to give recommendations on the placement of loudspeakers
- New recommendations for audibility have been added to subclause 22.1
- The text on cables and wiring (Clause 27) has been updated
- The text on radio-linked systems (Clause 28) has been modified to remove conflicts with BS EN 54‑25:2008
- The term “responsible person” has been removed and replaced with references to “premises management” to avoid confusion with the term defined in legislation
