BS 5839-8:2013

Foreword
Section 1: General
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Need for a VAS
5 Types of systems
6 Exchange of information and responsibilities
7 Variations from the recommendations of
   this standard
Section 2: Design considerations
8 Relationship between system type and
   evacuation plan
9 Interface between the fire detection and fire
   alarm system and the VAS
10 Systems in explosive gas or dust atmospheres
11 System components
12 Monitoring, integrity and reliability of circuits
   external to the VACIE
13 Loudspeaker zones
14 Loudspeakers
15 Voice sounders
16 Power amplifiers
17 Ambient noise sensing and compensation
   controller (ANS)
18 Emergency microphones
19 Emergency message generators
20 Emergency messages
21 Audibility of non-speech broadcast
22 Intelligibility of speech messages
23 Priorities
24 Voice alarm control and indicating equipment
   (VACIE)
25 Networked systems
26 Power supplies
27 Cables, wiring and other interconnections
28 Radio-linked systems
29 Climatic and environmental conditions
30 Radio and electrical interference
31 Electrical safety
Section 3: Installation
32 Responsibility of installer
33 Installation practices and workmanship
34 Inspection and testing of wiring
Section 4: Commissioning and handover
35 Commissioning
36 Documentation
37 Certification
38 Acceptance
39 Verification
Section 5: Maintenance
40 Routine testing
41 Inspection and servicing
42 Non-routine attention
Section 6: User responsibilities
43 Premises management
44 Logbook
Annexes
Annex A (informative) - Typical ambient noise levels
        and their effect on system design
Annex B (informative) - Voice alarm control and
        indicating equipment
Annex C (normative) - Standby battery calculations
Annex D (informative) - Model certificates
Bibliography

Provides recommendations for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of voice alarm systems which automatically broadcast speech or warning tones, in response to signals from their associated fire detection and fire alarm systems.

This standard gives recommendations for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of voice alarm systems which automatically broadcast speech or warning tones, in response to signals from their associated fire detection and fire alarm systems. It also covers systems that include a manual facility for the transmission of live voice messages as well as automatically generated messages for emergency purposes.

NOTE1 The fire detection and fire alarm systems themselves are covered by BS5839‑1.

Systems that depend solely upon manual intervention are not covered by this standard. However, this standard can be used for guidance in the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of such systems.

NOTE2 This standard applies to extensions and alterations to existing systems, at least in respect of the design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and the certification of the new work, albeit that the extended or altered system might not, overall, conform to this standard.

NOTE3 BS7827 provides further recommendations in respect of sports venues.