The audibility of our fire alarms (in all areas of the site) is checked during the annual service conducted by our fire alarm contractors, it's part of their scope of works for a service checking the system in line with the relevant British Standard.

For our smaller sites, this annual check is supplemented by requiring the site manager (in our case Store Manager) to check to ensure the fire alarm can be heard in all areas of the store during the weekly test and 6 monthly evacuation (they have to sweep the store anyway to check fire exit routes, final exit doors etc.).

For our larger sites (warehouses) we don't expect our own employees to check the audibility in all areas during the weekly test or 6 monthly evacuation, as this would not be practicable given the size of the sites and number of rooms and areas etc.

Our insurers and fire officers that have visited are happy with our procedures re audibility.

Sound pressure of at least 60db or 5db above any ambient noise should be achieved. Put this into google and take your choice.

I did a fire risk assessment and noted that if someone was on the roof they would not here the alarm. Facilities argued that you could hear the alarm. (If you knew it was on and the wind was in the right direction) This helps if you have people working by a machine. In my case an air handling unit on said roof.

Hi Bilbo

Sorry if I did not explain that very well :-)

The requirement is implicit


If the duty is to have an alarm that everyone can hear if and when they need to hear it then there is a requirement for it to be at at certain level. The Level is that which I submitted.

Similar if you have people who are at risk who can't hear, you need to have an atlernative method of making them aware of the alarm. This may be flashing red lights.

If you have people working in a noisy environment the alarm level will need to be louder than for an office environment.