There are so many standards. Do I have to buy and read every one?
It seems like every contractor, auditor and insurer quotes a different standard at you, and each one costs money to buy. You don't need to buy them all. You need to know which apply to your system, and the few things they ask of you as the person responsible. The detail is for your maintainer to carry.
Which ones apply to you
- A voice alarm that the fire alarm sets off: BS 5839-8.
- Emergency sound that works without the fire alarm: BS EN 50849.
- A stadium, arena or large venue: BS 7827, which decides zone by zone which of the two applies (BS 7827:2019, Clause 4.1).
- Refuge intercoms and fire telephones: BS 5839-9.
- Announcements and background music only: BS 6259.
What they ask of you, rather than your contractor
- A test every week, at about the same time each week, written in the logbook (BS 5839-8:2023, Clauses 39.1, 39.2 and 39.6).
- Occupants hearing the emergency messages during tests, preferably every month and at least every three months (Clause 39.1).
- A competent maintainer servicing the system at intervals of no more than six months (Clause 40.1), with further checks at least every 12 months (Clause 40.2).
Everything else in the standard is for the people who design, install and maintain the system.
Codes of practice, not laws
A British Standard recommends. It becomes binding when a contract, a specification, a regulation or a safety-certificate condition calls it up. If someone tells you a standard "requires" something, it's fair to ask where.
Still not sure which apply to your building?
Would it be unreasonable to ask before buying any of them? Tell us what the system is and where, and we'll send the short list back.
Ask which applyOr call 01273 034 630.