I would consult the fire brigade for advice and conduct a relevant fire risk assesment. There will probably be a minimum decibel requirement above the highest expected background noise level for the sounders. Also may need to consider visible indicators as well as audible.

I wouldimagine there is a set standard yes but again that would probably relate to the anticipated background noise levels so not simple to specify without knowing that information. A secondary thought on this one -- surely these issues would have been considered and resolved by the architect / designer involved in the refurb??

Alan, it is the architect that has specified the sounder inside the room, the concern is would it damage the hearing of a primary school age child? FSO, thanks, that's roughly what I thought. (perhaps 10 dB(A) above the expected level? I suppose the problem is we don't know what the noise level will be as it is a music room with volume controls.

Chris, A sounder with an integrated flashing beacon may be useful. Or having a link from the fire alarm sytem to the music system to kill the music when the alarm sounds, assuming that it is listening booths, not practice booths. Alex

I would go along with what had been recommended above but remember for every 3dBA increase is a doubling in sound so there is quite a difference between 5 and 10 dba. also there should be a procedure for the rooms to be checked that they have been evacuated as well either by the teacher or who ever is in the library as the children might or are unlikely to respond to the fire alarm. Also if the rooms are in a inner room situation there should be fire detection in the access rooms or other measures should have been considered (i presume there would be fire detection throughout). Phil

It is not unusual for a live music venue or a club (or disco for us old-uns) to have the PA interlinked to the fire alarm system, but might this be a little OTT? How often will the room be used? and in tha time how often will the music be so loud as to make it impossible to hear the fire alarm? It could be that this is a very low risk which could be dealt with much easier (and cheaper) Chris - You say 11 kids will be in the room, so where's the teacher? I cannot imagine there's an 11 to 1 teacher ratio, so perhaps a teacher or teaching assistant (who is with the rest of the class) will be elsewhere in a nearby location where the sounder could be heard. A simple management system where someone outside the room raises the alarm by entering may suffice. - Just a thought!

Glad you cleared that up Chris! Just to add to the previous postings that when the sounder is activated it should not permanently damage hearing and be at a minimum of 65dBA or 5dBA above any background noise lasting in excess of 30 seconds. If excessive noise is present, a visual alarm condition should also be provided (BS 5839). Visual alarms are required if ambient noise levels exceed 90db. Sound level is reduced by approx. 20dBA by a door and by approx. 30dBA by a fire door. Due to individual building/room characteristics, sound level checks should be carried out to ensure minimum sound levels are obtained. Cheers

One word sentences in future :-)