BS5839-8:1998 (overview)

Careful consideration to the building design and defined escape routes are extremely important to any conventional alarm or evacuation based system. A VEVAC system has additional design aspects and considerations:

What is? Why Voice Alarm (VA) Systems?

Research and testing has shown that the simple answer to these questions, is that, people respond and react better to spoken/voice alarming information over non-voice (bells, sounders, buzzers, visual).

Voice alarm systems can also provide meaningful information; such as when and even how to evacuate from a building (Voice Alarm Messaging).

What is the difference between Public Address (PA) / Tannoy and Voice Alarm (VA)?

It seems quite logical to consider using an existing PA/Tannoy system to provide voice alarm and messaging information in the case of a fire or emergency situation. However, most standard PA/Tannoy systems are exposed and vulnerable, and not generally designed or built to 'guarantee' performance or even function under such emergency conditions (eg. simple loss of mains power, no backup power).

British standards, BS5839-8:1998 exists to address issues and considerations, to remove vulnerabilities and to provide consistent operation of voice alarm systems. To effectively create highly operational systems with little if any effective vulnerabilities.

Some of the 'key' features of BS5839-8:1998 are as follows:

- All internal and external line / circuits must be 'monitored'
- A minimum battery back up / hold over of 24hrs and 30mins alarming
- A monitored secure link to the main fire / detection panel
- A means for pre-recorded voice / alarm messaging
- Special cable and routing considerations
- 'Fireman's' microphone provision
- Consideration to speaker type and performance

Can we convert or make use of our existing PA / Tannoy system?

There are likely fundamental design and installation methods and materials that do not meet BS5839 standards used within your existing PA / Tannoy system. For these reasons, it is unlikely you can make immediate use of your existing PA / Tannoy system. However, a conversion / upgrade / additions to part/s of the existing system is often possible - the size and extent of the system installation together with the existing cabling type / methods used will have a large bearing on PA / Tannoy conversions / upgrades to a full voice alarm (VA) compliant system.

Abletek engage regularly with customers to provide assessment and advice for new and re-use of existing PA / Tannoy systems. Please call or contact us for further information.