This part of BS5839 provides recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of emergency voice communication systems in and around buildings and at sports, entertainment and similar venues. It does not recommend whether or not an emergency voice communication system should be installed in a given premises.
This part of BS5839 primarily relates to the use of emergency voice communication (EVC) in assisting both firefighters and those responsible for evacuating buildings or sports stadiums in fire emergency situations, including evacuation of disabled persons. Use, other than in fire emergency situations, by disabled persons and others, although not precluded, is not addressed in detail.
Other than in exceptional circumstances, EVC systems are not intended as the means of raising a fire alarm, in lieu of manual call points. Refer to BS5839‑1 for guidance on fire detection and alarm systems.
This part of BS5839 covers systems with components linked by wires, wirelessly, or a combination of both.
This part of BS5839 covers emergency voice communication 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 BS5839‑8 and are therefore excluded from this part of BS5839.