Rank: Super forum user 
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I wonder if someone can confirm or not an issue I have with a recent fire risk assessment.
During the assessment there was a short period of time we had a noisy operation (lets say 80 db as I don't have the records handy at the moment) for a period of around 3 minutes ( very infrequent, but possibly once or twice a day)
He is recommending we get a fire engineer out to confirm our system meets BS 5839 part1 :2013 and give us a cert to verify that the audibility of the fire alarm is suitable ( with this noise). We pay an external company to come and check our system and we have a cert to saying it meets that standard.
My question is:- is there an actual assessment as part of that BS that requires the alarm to be above the max background working noise by a specific amount. It seems to me we ourselves just need to ensure that if this infrequent operation takes place the alarm can be heard by all (and so not need a qualified fire engineer).
I hope I have explained the issue properly.
Chris
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Have you considered fitting flashing beacons to work alongside the sounders as a backup in the areas. Also in some industries they interface the noisey machinery into the alarm system so that it it defaults to safe upon the fire alarm isolating. Plus you could also have a fire drill to see the effects at the noisey periods. The BS is not mandatory it is a good guide.
SBH
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Rank: Super forum user
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BS5839-1, clause 16.2.1 states that the sounder levels should be 65dB(A) - or 5 dB(A) above any background level, where that level lasts more than 30 seconds.
So to be BS5839 compliant (most enforcers will insist on this, despite the BS not being law), you need to get your sounders adjusted to 85 dB(A) in those areas where that occasional high background level is present.
(note: My home copy of BS5839-1 is the 2002 and not the 2013 version, but I believe there's no change to sound levels)
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Rank: Super forum user
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Thank you both
I'm waiting for the site to get back to me with the actual noise level of the operation.
So we do actually need someone to check it is at least 5db(A) above this noise?
Would people actually do this or would they just test the alarm can be heard by all, when this operation takes place. I can't help feel that this would be a simple quick test that is proportionate.
Then if not add visual beacons or if it can be heard easily then all good ?
Chris
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Rank: Super forum user 
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chris42 wrote:Thank you both
I'm waiting for the site to get back to me with the actual noise level of the operation.
So we do actually need someone to check it is at least 5db(A) above this noise?
Would people actually do this or would they just test the alarm can be heard by all, when this operation takes place. I can't help feel that this would be a simple quick test that is proportionate.
Then if not add visual beacons or if it can be heard easily then all good ?
Chris
Chris,
but then you have to get it turned down again everytime the 'infrequent activity' isn't taking oplace as it will be too loud otherwise and could be against the regs.
If this task is 'infrequent' look at doing it another way, I know that the BS doesn't give a time limit but there are more ways to skin a cat.
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Rank: Forum user
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The BS standards are useful but what is essential is that the alarms work in practice. I suggest you carry out a fire drill during the noisy times to see if staff are able to hear and evacuate in a reasonable time. Check you have a real life problem before committing to spending any money.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Sadly the activity can't be avoided or changed. There is a limit to how much we would want to adjust, where practically a visual warning would become the better option.
I have arranged for a practical test to take place, to ensure that the person closest to the noise can hear it easily (including if any operatives wear hearing protection - out of choice not mandatory).
If we have a problem, then we will struggle to find somewhere a flashing beacon can actually be put. But one problem at a time. Thanks all for the information especially mssy about the 5 dB requirement, as that is nearly 4 times the power of background noise.
Cheers all
Chris
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Rank: Forum user 
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Hi Chris,
There has been some excellent guidance on this post which will for sure give you some routes to look at.
I would look into the option of a "Mircom horn/strobe fire alarm unit" which is ideal for situations such as your which noise levels are between 40 and 120 decibels. You would have to identify anyone working within this area or with access to this area that would have photosensitive epilepsy and incoporate this into your risk assessment.
More options you have the better, its just the case of seeing which one works the most effectively.
Regards
Mark...
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