There a quite a few residential blocks of flats which have bell sounders in the common staircase/corridors. These bell sounders activate once MCP or smoke detector is activated in common areas.
Obviously with the individual flat front door and the bed room door being shut (2 of the most likely doors to be shut in a flat), it is highly unlikely that the recommended 75dB(A) will be achieved at bed head rest in line with BS5839-1. Where flats are leasehold/freehold the Landlords responsibility are limited due to fact resident will refuse works to be completed to install sounder in flat to achieve recommended sound levels.
Would you advise where possible to install sounders in flats to fall in line with BS5839-1??
Within each flat their is a self contained detector which will alert the occupier of a fire and evacuate, who will then activate the MCP on their way out, therefore raising the full alarm. If the SD in the common area is activated, then people could potentially be walking into a fire situation, this might be ok if you have more than 1 means of escape.
Going back to the sounder issue, would the fire officer be concerned or even check the audibility within the flats as they fall under domestic use and would be outside the FSO, therefore less of a requirement for Landlord to install the sounders.
Your thoughts please