BS 5839-9:2021

What is BS 5839-9 - Fire detection systems about?

Part 9 in a series of national standards on fire alarm systems, BS 5839-9 covers how to design, install and maintain emergency voice communication systems (EVC).

Who is BS 5839-9 - Fire detection systems for?

• Those responsible for designing, installing, maintaining, and operating an EVC system
• Anyone responsible for evacuating buildings
• Facilities and building managers, and building control officers

What does BS 5839-9 - Fire detection systems cover?

BS 5839-9 gives recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of emergency voice communication systems as part of a fire detection and alarm system, and covers systems with components linked by wires, wirelessly, or a combination of both.

BS 5839-9 applies to the use of EVC during an emergency fire situation at buildings, including sports stadiums, entertainment, and other public venues, and emphasizes the correct use of an EVC in broadcasting evacuation messages and not in raising the fire alarm.

BS 5839-9 relates to the use of emergency voice communication systems in communicating with people in refuges; with fire wardens, fire marshals, and firefighters in firefighting lobbies; and with stewards at sporting events.

The use of EVC systems, other than in fire emergency situations, by disabled persons and others, although not precluded, is not covered in detail.

Other than in exceptional circumstances, emergency voice communication systems are not intended as the means of raising a fire alarm instead of manual call points. Refer to BS 5839-1 for guidance on fire detection and alarm systems.

NOTE: BS 5839-9:2021 does not recommend whether or not an emergency voice communication system should be installed in a given premises. It covers EVC systems and is therefore not intended to cover general purpose intercom systems, lift intercom systems, local (internal) telephone systems for general use, or any external communication systems, such as the public switched telephone network and cellular telephone networks. Voice alarm systems are primarily intended for the automatic broadcasting of evacuation messages; they are covered by BS 5839-8 and are therefore excluded from this part of BS 5839.

Why should you use BS 5839-9 - Fire detection systems?

• Its use can ensure that high standards of reliability, safety, and security are achieved, together with acceptable standards of performance
• It can help anyone who installs, maintains, or uses emergency voice communication systems to stay up to date with current regulatory and legislative requirements
• It supplies comprehensive guidance from planning to training, monitoring, inspection, routine inspection, and certification
• It gives guidance on how to install an effective emergency EVC system as part of a fire safety strategy
• It can help users to increase trust and manage risk better as well as enter new markets and improve efficiency

BS 5839-9 contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages and Goal 9 on building resilient infrastructure.

What has changed since the last update?

This revision updates and replaces BS 5839-9:2011. It incorporates the latest regulatory and legislative requirements for building evacuation, including disabled people, and reflects industry changes since the last publication.