Fire alarm sirens in stairwells

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timmmay

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#195368 18-Apr-2016 10:20

Does anyone know what any applicable regulations say about fire alarms in stairwells? I find the sirens in stairwells so loud I end up walking downstairs with fingers in my ears, if I trip it creates a new hazard. By the time you get to the stairwell you know the alarm's going, not sure why they're needed in there.

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MikeB4
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#1534728 18-Apr-2016 10:31

from my time as a Chief Fire Warden in a large building, simply put, the sirens must be audible in all parts of a the building including the outside.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

keewee01

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#1534739 18-Apr-2016 10:50

I agree - at a time when you are trying to keep your wits about you, the very loud sirens in stairwells just distract and disorientate because of all those solid, flat walls that the sound bounces off!

Don't get rid of them, but in those areas tone down the volume as it simply isn't needed!!

timmmay

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#1534784 18-Apr-2016 11:11

Audible is one thing, in my building they sit on the landings, so you're about one meter from them. I wonder if they make things more dangerous.

MikeB4

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#1534792 18-Apr-2016 11:19

A few moments of discomfort a couple of times a year is a very small price to pay to ensure everyone hears the alarms and has those precious minutes to safely evacuate.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

timmmay

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#1534802 18-Apr-2016 11:39

The sirens are painfully, damagingly loud. I can't tolerate loud noises, so I walk down the stairs with my fingers in my ears. If I trip that could hinder building evacuation.

MikeB4

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#1534808 18-Apr-2016 11:46

I can appreciate that, think what it is like for the wardens who endure it for longer or the disabled person that has to stay on the floor in the lobby to be taken down the stairs by the fire service. May I suggest you keep a set of those small

ear bungs in your draw and put them in when there is a trial or genuine evacuation.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

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timmmay

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#1534813 18-Apr-2016 11:48

I already do that, but I'm often in meetings and going back to your desk is frowned upon. Taking an emergency kit to every meeting doesn't seem practical.

MikeB4

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#1534823 18-Apr-2016 11:59

timmmay:

I already do that, but I'm often in meetings and going back to your desk is frowned upon. Taking an emergency kit to every meeting doesn't seem practical.

Do you carry a folder? if so they will fit in the sleeve of a compendium, they are about 2.5 x .5cms not really an emergency kit. I supplied them to our Wardens and staff who wanted them they are cheap as chips.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

mclean

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#1534825 18-Apr-2016 12:00

It has to be between 65 dBA and 100 dBA.

Geektastic

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#1534828 18-Apr-2016 12:04

Do they also have flashing lights for deaf people?

timmmay

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#1534838 18-Apr-2016 12:12

mclean:

It has to be between 65 dBA and 100 dBA.

"100 decibels, equivalent to a chain saw, pneumatic drill, printing plant, jackhammer, speeding express train, some car horns at five meters, farm tractor, riveting machine, some noisy subways [about 20 feet]."

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Incindre

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#1534841 18-Apr-2016 12:13

I've been a fire warden at several different buildings and I've never seen the point of hardcore sirens in the stairwells; make it dangerous IMO.

My reasoning is, people are only in the stair wells because they're evacuating anyway, and the last thing you want is loud noise impairing people's ability to think rationally in an already stressful situation.

Also, single file down the stairs people! Often the Firewardens have to get back up those very stairs you're clogging 3 abreast.

timmmay

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#1534908 18-Apr-2016 12:45

mclean:

It has to be between 65 dBA and 100 dBA.

Do you know where this is defined?

Behodar

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#1534913 18-Apr-2016 12:47

At my work they even have them in the toilets. Trying to "wipe" with this thing blasting at full volume is not an experience that I wish to repeat. It's utter stupidity.

mclean

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#1534985 18-Apr-2016 14:19

timmmay: Do you know where this is defined?

In the fire alarm standard, which is NZS 4512:2010. Called by the NZ Building Code Clause F7.

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