The Design and Installation of Voice Alarm Systems. A Guide to BS 5839-8
Douglas F. Mason and Colin S. Todd
The Design and Installation of Voice Alarm Systems is the essential guide to the British standard BS 5839-8. The book offers in-depth analysis of the key standard against which voice alarm systems for fire warning are designed, commissioned, installed and maintained.
This practical book gives detailed guidance for voice alarm systems and will be of interest to fire safety professionals, building control officers, environmental health officers, consulting engineers, electrical contractors and the main users of voice alarm systems.
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How will the guide to BS 5839-8 help me? The book
- Explains the reasons for the recommendations in the Code
- Outlines the consequences of failures to satisfy the recommendations
- Provides detailed guidance on how to satisfy the recommendations.
The book offers clear guidance with plenty of examples, and explains the reasoning behind the recommendations made in BS 5839-8, with detailed guidance on how to meet the recommendations.
It also covers voice alarm systems use for purposes other than fire warning.
About the authors:
Colin Todd is a leading specialist in fire detection and fire alarm systems. Active on national fire technical committees and has drafted numerous codes and standards, including A Guide to BS 5839-1 and A Guide to BS 5839-6.
Douglas Mason is a senior consultant in fire protection. He is a chartered engineer, corporate member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers and a member of the Audio Engineering Society. He is a past Chair of the working group for British Fire Protection Systems Association Code of Practice for Voice Alarm Systems, and a BSI committee member for BS 5839-8:2008.
Contents of the Guide to BS 5839-8 include:
Introduction
Voice alarm systems and standards – a short history
The role of voice alarm systems in fire warning
Scope of BS 5839-8
Contents of the Code
Defining the terms
Types of systems and the evacuation plan
System planning considerations, including exchange of information and responsibilities and variations
Interface between the voice alarm system and the fire detection and fire alarm system
Fault monitoring, integrity and reliability of circuits external to the VACIE
Typical arrangements of voice alarm systems
Voice alarm control and indicating equipment (VACIE)
Power supplies
Use of voice alarm systems for purposes other than warning of fire
Loudspeakers, loudspeaker zones and loudspeaker circuits
Power amplifiers
Ambient noise sensing and compensation
Emergency and non-emergency messages
Audibility and intelligibility
Emergency message generators
Emergency microphones
Wiring
Radio-linked systems
Voice sounders
Climatic and environmental conditions, radio and electrical interference and electrical safety
Installation
Commissioning and handover
Maintenance
User responsibilities
This is what the trade journals have said about this guide to voice alarm systems:
"The authors give a valuable insight in to the benefits of effective implementation of the British Standard through consideration of the consequences of non-compliance." Building Engineer
"This practical book will be of interest to the main users of voice alarm systems." Fire Safety Professional (IFPO)
"With what is described as a clear approach and through numerous examples, the book explains the reasoning behind the recommendations made in BS 5839-8 and provides detailed guidance on how the recommendations can be satisfied." Fire Safety Engineering |
If you are interested in fire safety and fire alarms, the following publications may also be of interest.
BS 5839-1:2002+A2:2008 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for system design, installation, commissioning and maintenance
BS 5839-8:2008 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of voice alarm systems