DDA Fire

Visual alarm systems and tactical devices

BS5839 makes reference to tactile devices such as radio alarm systems that are ideal for people working in isolation or for deaf people. 

The system consists of two parts – a transmitter linked into the fire alarm control panel and a receiver which is a vibrating pager. When the fire alarm is activated, it automatically and immediately switches on the radio transmitter that sends a digitally encoded radio signal to each alerter in the building. The alerter vibrates and displays the text fire message.

Radio based integrated systems consists of a radio transmitter and a portable receiver.

Aspects of the transmitter

• Automatically activated by the fire alarm system
• Transmission continues until reset by the fire control panel

Aspects of the receiver

• Vibration intensity should attract attention
• Portable device must be capable of giving a visual and tactile signal
• Equipment should be licensed with the Radio Communications Agency
• An alarm should show within 5 seconds of the fire alarm system activating
• Should differentiate between fire and general messaging signals
• Fire signals must take priority
• The design should prevent the device being accidentally turned off
• Must have low battery monitoring

Flashing lights, beacons and strobes are referred to as visual alarm signals.

Aspects of flashing beacons and strobes

• Only useful when they can be seen
• Likely areas to be covered include workstations, canteens, toilets and meeting rooms
• Must be monitored
• Can require a lot of loop power
• Consider people with photosensitive epilepsy
• May be disorientating in smoke filled areas
• Ineffective when people are asleep

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