Publishing and copyright information

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© The British Standards Institution 2023

Published by BSI Standards Limited 2023

ISBN 978 0 539 17728 2

ICS 13.220.20; 13.320

The following BSI references relate to the work on this document:
Committee reference FSH/12/5
Draft for comment 22/30437519 DC

Foreword

Publishing information

This part of BS 5839 is published by BSI Standards Limited, under licence from The British Standards Institution, and came into effect on 31 October 2023. It was prepared by Subcommittee FSH/12/5, Fire alarm devices, under the authority of Technical Committee FSH/12, Fire detection and fire alarm systems. A list of organizations represented on these committees can be obtained on request to the committee manager.

Supersession

This part of BS 5839 supersedes BS 5839‑8:2013, which is withdrawn.

Relationship with other publications

BS 5839 is published in the following parts:

Part 1: Code of practice for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems in non‑domestic premises;
Part 3: Specification for automatic release mechanisms for certain fire protection equipment;
Part 6: Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises;
Part 8: Design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of voice alarm systems – Code of practice;
Part 9: Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of emergency voice communication systems.

Information about this document

This is a full revision of the document, and introduces the following principal changes.

The document has undergone some restructuring, with Clause 4 being moved to a new Introduction and Clause 8 being merged with Clause 5.
The term “acoustically distinguishable area (a.d.a.)” has been amended to “acoustically distinguishable space (ADS)” because it covers three dimensions, not two.
A new recommendation states that audio inputs (e.g. telephones, smartphones) that do not conform to BS EN 54‑16:2008 are not to be used for emergency messages and control.
A new recommendation has been added for Type V3 systems to prevent the alert or evacuate messages being interrupted by emergency paging to other zones.
A new recommendation and associated commentary address the need to limit the level of a monitoring tone to assist people with hyperacusis.
A new recommendation addresses the need to provide a warning for people who are Deaf or have a hearing impairment in areas where they might be alone.
A new recommendation states that warning devices for people who are Deaf or have a hearing impairment are to be activated for automatic or manual emergency broadcasts.
A new recommendation states that voice alarm loudspeakers are not to be located in close proximity to refuges owing to issues associated with excessive sound levels.
A new clause with recommendations for assistive listening systems has been introduced.
There is an explanation that the rear cover on ceiling loudspeakers need not be completely sealed unless the ceiling forms part of a fire-resisting barrier.
A new recommendation states that loudspeakers that require equalization to achieve BS EN 54‑24 certification are to be placed on their own dedicated loudspeaker circuit and have the equalization described on their BS EN 54‑24 certificate.
A new recommendation states that if a voice sounder to be used as part of a voice alarm system (VAS) for live emergency broadcasts, it is to conform to BS EN 54‑3 and the relevant requirements in BS EN 54‑16:2008 and BS EN 54‑24.
The clause relating to emergency message generators has been deleted because the requirements are specified in BS EN 54‑16:2008.
A new recommendation states that active noise cancellation is not to prevent functional system testing.
The clause on the measurement of intelligibility has been substantially rewritten to provide guidance on subjective and objective intelligibility assessment.
The title of the clause on networked systems has been changed to “distributed systems” so that it is technology-neutral.
A new clause on cybersecurity has been included.
The clause on verification has been simplified.
A new note points out that the organization carrying out the maintenance of the VAS is not necessarily competent in electro-acoustic design for the corrective works. However, they need to be fully conversant with clarity and audibility to enable identification of intelligibility issues.
A new recommendation states that any ANS used for emergency broadcasts is to be checked for correct operation in accordance with the VACIE manufacturer’s instructions.
A new recommendation states that all loudspeaker circuit impedances are to be measured and compared to the previous year’s measurements and deviations are to be investigated.
A new recommendation states that subjective intelligibility testing is to be carried out in all loudspeaker zones.
The equation for calculating I₂ for standby batteries has been simplified by assuming that the current drawn by an emergency message is 1/8 of the full load current.
New recommendations have been added for the level of the attention-drawing signal preceding emergency messages.

This publication can be withdrawn, revised, partially superseded or superseded. Information regarding the status of this publication can be found in the Standards Catalogue on the BSI website at bsigroup.com/standards, or by contacting the Customer Services team.

Where websites and webpages have been cited, they are provided for ease of reference and are correct at the time of publication. The location of a webpage or website, or its contents, cannot be guaranteed.

Use of this document

As a code of practice, this part of BS 5839 takes the form of recommendations and guidance. It is not to be quoted as if it were a specification. Users are expected to ensure that claims of compliance are not misleading.

Users may substitute any of the recommendations in this part of BS 5839 with practices of equivalent or better outcome. Any user claiming compliance with this part of BS 5839 is expected to be able to justify any course of action that deviates from its recommendations.

Presentational conventions

The provisions of this document are presented in roman (i.e. upright) type. Its recommendations are expressed in sentences in which the principal auxiliary verb is “should”.

Commentary, explanation and general informative material is presented in smaller italic type, and does not constitute a normative element.

Where words have alternative spellings, the preferred spelling of the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary is used (e.g. “organization” rather than “organisation”).

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication has been prepared in good faith, however no representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking (express or implied) is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by BSI in relation to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of this publication. All and any such responsibility and liability is expressly disclaimed to the full extent permitted by the law.

This publication is provided as is, and is to be used at the recipient’s own risk.

The recipient is advised to consider seeking professional guidance with respect to its use of this publication.

This publication is not intended to constitute a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

Section 1: General

Introduction

1 Scope

This part of BS 5839 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. It also covers voice alarm systems that include a manual facility for the transmission of live emergency broadcasts and pre-recorded messages for emergency purposes.

NOTE 1 The fire detection and fire alarm systems themselves are covered by BS 5839‑1.

This part of BS 5839 covers extensions and alterations to existing voice alarm systems, in respect of the design, installation, commissioning, maintenance and certification of the new work.

Voice alarm systems that depend solely upon manual intervention are not covered by this part of BS 5839.

NOTE 2 BS 7827 provides further recommendations in respect of large public buildings, venues and sports grounds.

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

4 Types of voice alarm system

5 Exchange of information and responsibilities

6 Variations from the recommendations of this document

Section 2: Design considerations

7 Interface between the fire detection and fire alarm system and the VAS

7.1

7.2

7.3

7.4

7.5

7.6

8 VASs in explosive gas or dust atmospheres

9 VAS components

10 Monitoring, integrity and reliability of circuits external to the VACIE

11 Loudspeaker zones

12 Assistive listening systems

13 Loudspeakers

14 Voice sounders

15 Power amplifier reliability

16 Ambient noise sensing and compensation

17 Emergency microphones

18 Emergency messages

19 Audibility of attention-drawing signals and non-speech alarm broadcasts

20 Intelligibility of speech messages

21 Priorities

22 Voice alarm control and indicating equipment

23 Distributed systems

24 Cybersecurity

25 Power supplies

26 Cables, wiring and other interconnections

27 Radio-linked VASs

28 Climatic and environmental conditions

29 Radio and electromagnetic interference

30 Electrical safety

Section 3: Installation

31 Responsibility of installer

32 Installation practices and workmanship

33 Inspection and testing of wiring

Section 4: Commissioning and handover

34 Commissioning

35 Documentation

36 Certification

37 Acceptance

38 Verification

Section 5: Maintenance

39 Routine testing

40 Inspection and servicing

41 Non-routine attention

Section 6: User responsibilities

42 Premises management

43 Logbook

Bibliography

BS 5839-8:2023 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings + Expert Commentary