Publishing and copyright information

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© The British Standards Institution 2024

Published by BSI Standards Limited 2024

ISBN 978 0 539 22811 3

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 23/30457697 DC

Foreword

Publishing information

This British Standard is published by BSI Standards Limited, under licence from The British Standards Institution, and came into effect on 31 March 2024. It was prepared by Subcommittee FSH/12/5, Alarm devices, voice alarm evacuation sub‑systems and emergency voice communications, under the authority of Technical Committee FSH/12, Fire detection and alarm systems. A list of organizations represented on these committees can be obtained on request to the committee manager.

Relationship with other publications

This is a new product specification for components of emergency voice communication (EVC) systems. Recommendations for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of such systems are given in BS 5839‑9, which is expected to be revised in due course to remove the product-specific recommendations that now appear in BS 8893 as requirements.

Information about this document

The requirements in this British Standard are derived from the product recommendations for emergency voice communication systems in BS 5839‑9:2021, with the environmental tests taken from the BS EN 54 series.

It is not intended to introduce additional functional requirements in this first edition of the new specification, although they might be introduced in future.

This publication can be withdrawn, revised, partially superseded or superseded.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 knowledge.bsigroup.com, 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

It has been assumed in the preparation of this British Standard that the execution of its provisions will be entrusted to appropriately qualified and experienced people, for whose use it has been produced.

Presentational conventions

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

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

Requirements in this document are drafted in accordance with the Rules for the structure and drafting of UK standards:2022, subclause G.1.1, which states, “Requirements shall be expressed using wording such as: ‘When tested as described in Annex A, the product shall ...’”. This means that only those products that are capable of passing the specified test will be deemed to conform to this standard.

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.

1 Scope

This British Standard specifies requirements and gives test methods for components of emergency voice communication (EVC) systems.

This British Standard does not cover design, installation, commissioning or maintenance of EVC systems.

NOTE These aspects are covered in BS 5839‑9.

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

4 Requirements

4.1 Overall system requirements

4.2 Transmission paths

4.3 EVCIE mandatory indicators

4.4 EVCIE call indicators and controls

4.5 EVCIE fault monitoring and indication

4.6 EVCIE silencing of audible fault warning

4.7 EVCIE resetting from the fault warning condition

4.8 EVCIE power supply

4.9 Program-controlled EVCIE

4.10 EVCIE indicator test

4.11 EVCIE mechanical requirements

4.12 EVCIE environmental requirements

4.13 Outstation general requirements

4.14 Outstation environmental requirements

4.15 Wireless-linked EVC systems

4.16 Marking

5 Tests

5.1 General

5.2 EVC audio performance tests

5.3 EVCIE environmental tests

5.4 Outstation environmental tests

Bibliography

BS 8893:2024

Emergency voice communication (EVC) systems. Components. Specification

Current

Published:

12 Mar 2024