Decibel level tests.

[Tom Sutton]

An enquiry I received recently.

Please would you advise if any other audibility testing is required under BS 5839, other than the weekly sounder test? Does a specific survey need to be carried out and the decibel level recorded on say a bi annual or annual basis.

Apart from when a system is installed and if the FA service contractor is changed I am not aware of any routine maintenance that requires sound level of sounders to be checked. Is this correct?

[Wiz]

I believe it is correct.

[Allen Higginson]

Unless it's your first visit and the magic "Special Inspection" is carried out,then low sound pressure levels should be noted.

[Graeme]

As Buz

only under a special service if i was to take over your system but not normally under general maintenance unless any structural changes has taken place after system was commissioned.

[kurnal]

Is there not a recommendation to check the sound pressure levels of a system in a new building on first service after commissioning to ensure that the attenuation created by the contents do not take the system below the recommended sound pressurelevels?

[Paul2886]

Talking about sound pressure levels what do you accept for care homes at the bedhead taking into considerations that the movement of elderly residents is normally instigated by on-duty staff members.
Is 75Db at the bedhead really necessary, do the residents really need to hear it because they won't act upon it and probably best they didn't try to. I have my views on it and would appreciate others. And besides when did you last see a care home that achieves 75Db at the bedheads with a 30-minute fire door in the closed position which can reduce the sound by approx 30 Db's. How do you feel about only the staff sleep-in room being to this level.

[Benzerari]

Is there not a recommendation to check the sound pressure levels of a system in a new building on first service after commissioning to ensure that the attenuation created by the contents do not take the system below the recommended sound pressurelevels?

That's what I have been asked to do few months ago in a newly refurbished building, with a network of 2 Morley panels ZXe5…, to test audibility when the building works had finished, and when the building was equipped, I had done both and reported it to the office, by the way, I didn't find any great differences in this case, probably in other cases you would, as in my case it was sounder bases every where in the buildings...

As for the BS recommendation about this issue, I haven't got a clue.

[kurnal]

Checking the BS there is no specific requirement for the sound pressure levels to be checked during the first maintenance inspection as I indicated above, but para 39 (2) makes specific reference to the need to confirm that levels remain adequate especially where a system is commissioned in a shell property before final occupation.

In answer to Paulm yes you are absolutely right and residential care homes and hospitals are treated differently- para 16-2 makes special provision for those parts of res care homes where the alarm is not required to rouse occupants of some or all rooms from sleep- and either HTM82 (now replaced) should be  applied or other arrangement subject to the agreement of the enforcement agencies.

[Tom Sutton]

Talking about sound pressure levels what do you accept for care homes at the bedhead taking into considerations that the movement of elderly residents is normally instigated by on-duty staff members.
Is 75Db at the bedhead really necessary, do the residents really need to hear it because they won't act upon it and probably best they didn't try to. I have my views on it and would appreciate others. And besides when did you last see a care home that achieves 75Db at the bedheads with a 30-minute fire door in the closed position which can reduce the sound by approx 30 Db's. How do you feel about only the staff sleep-in room being to this level.

The second paragraph to 16.1 would be relevant to your question.

In certain, usually more complex, buildings, a general alarm of the type described above may not be appropriate. For example, in hospitals and certain residential care premises in which occupants might need assistance to evacuate, the fire alarm system might not be intended to rouse people from sleep, and it might only be necessary for staff to be aware of the alarm signal. In some large or complex buildings, the extent of the area in which an evacuation signal is given might be restricted, at least initially (see Clause 19)

[Allen Higginson]

Checking the BS there is no specific requirement for the sound pressure levels to be checked during the first maintenance inspection .......

Surely where it says that non compliances should be identified to the responsible person covers this - if you report failings in sound pressure levels then you must have metered it?

[Graeme]

Checking the BS there is no specific requirement for the sound pressure levels to be checked during the first maintenance inspection as I indicated above, but para 39 (2) makes specific reference to the need to confirm that levels remain adequate especially where a system is commissioned in a shell property before final occupation.

.

Kurnal

your Avatar is quite fitting towards my answer. All my commissions are mostly on unnocupied shells where the main contractor wants the systems signed off despite ususal(it's not ready plea) and all the dust covers are removed before all the carpets are down.

I do tests incuding sound pressue and i am promptly shuffled out the door so the main contractor can get paid. I alwaeys sign the sheet as commissioned while bulding not finished etc.

now i go back to mr main contrcator and say i need to come back and do it again when the site is in use....(see avatar)  

I totallly agree with you is it makes perfect sense to do again but ideally once when the building is up and running.