Hi We are updating our verbal fire alarm sounders, is there a specific message that we have to state legally? Many thanks

I don't think that there is David, although I am sure that the fire safety 'experts' will tell you the 'correct' answer! And although it's not Friday yet, I love the response at #2 - any more takers?

You may want to look at BS 5839-8:2013 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings – Part 8: Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of voice alarm systems

I had the pleasure on Saturday to attend the wedding of one of my nieces. The service was held in the most delightful tiny stone church, way out in the country and miles from anywhere. It was a lovely day. Several hundred years old, the church was charming in its simplicity, stone built and not much more than 5 x 25m though it should probably have been measured in cubits. Before the ceremony, one of the church officials welcomed us all then proceeded to give a health & safety introduction! "They had only one escape route that was the door through which we had entered." "The assembly point in the event of an evacuation was at the far end of the quaint little church yard." "There was no alarm system, and in the event of a fire someone would shout FIRE" At that point, I turned to my wife. Instantly, I received a sharp elbow into my ribs, and a withering look. How did she know I was thinking about asking if the warning would have a mortal origin or if it was expected to come from above?

I like the theme of Clairel's suggestion at #4. It's tempting to add the following to it: "Don't start phoning the switchboard to ask if it's a real fire or just a practice or false alarm, - and if you really must use your mobile to phone, use twitter or send text messages and tell lots of people about the evacuation, wait until you get to the muster area - don't dilly-dally on the way! My suggested addition is admittedly long-winded, rather like Clairel's suggestion itself! However, in view of how some people do react to evacuation alerts nowadays, I strongly think its two points should be included somehow in a verbal fire alarm message. Also, thanks to Ian for his posting at #7, partly for the humour and also as a reassurance that I'm not alone as a forum user who gets withering looks from a spouse/partner. Though I don't get too many from my wife, their context is such that they usually imply 'You're not at work now so keep quiet / don't get involved!'

Would love to see Priests/Vicars do the airline safety briefing at the begining of each service!

I would love to see a 'Fire and Brimstone' risk assessment.

I imagine that a liturgy beginning "Oh God, there's a fire" would probably be effective. But regrettably, the Quaker Liturgy of Silence would certainly not

There's a 1960's record by The Crazy World of Arthur Brown that may do the trick. Entitled FIRE. Those of you too young to have heard it try Youtube, played at maximum volume I don't think anybody would wish to remain inside the premises.

Ian, If you sometimes attended Christenings as well as weddings and funerals, you would be what is known in church circles as a member of the "Hatch, Match and Despatch brigade"!

I am quite sure someone at your meeting will speak, as they would have at the meeting I used to attend. Speaking is supposed to be when one feels "moved to" and I am quite certain that if there was a fire I would feel moved to and I would claim it was by divine intervention as well!