BS 5839-9:2003 Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings - Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of emergency voice communication systems
This code of practice provides recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of emergency voice communication systems in and around buildings and at sports, entertainment and similar venues. It does not recommend whether or not an emergency voice communication system should be installed in a given premises.
Henceforward in this code of practice, emergency voice communication systems are usually referred to as EVC systems and the term EVC is used to mean emergency voice communication.
This code of practice primarily relates to the use of EVC in assisting both firefighters and those responsible for evacuating buildings or sports stadia in fire emergency situations, including evacuation of disabled persons. Use, other than in fire emergency situations, by disabled persons and others, although not precluded, is not addressed in detail.
Other than in exceptional circumstances, EVC systems are not intended as the means of raising a fire alarm, in lieu of manual call points. Reference should be made to BS 5839-1 for guidance on fire detection and alarm systems.
In the context of this code of practice, an EVC system contains no portable parts. Mobile telephones and two-way radio sets are therefore not within its scope.
An EVC system should be:
1) restricted to a building, building complex or sports or similar venue;
2) continuously monitored for faults;
3) for use as described in this part of BS 5839.
The term emergency voice communication systems is therefore not intended to cover general-purpose intercom systems, lift intercom systems, local (internal) telephone systems for general use, or any external communication systems, such as the public switched telephone network.
Voice alarm systems are primarily intended for the automatic broadcasting of evacuation messages; they are covered by BS 5839-8 and are therefore excluded from this code of practice.
This part of BS 5839 does not cover systems combining electrically the functions of EVC systems with functions of other fire-related or non-fire-related systems. That is, for example, an EVC master station may mechanically share part of its enclosure with the control and indicating equipment of a fire alarm system, but recommendations for sharing a single mains-derived extra low voltage power supply are not within the scope of this standard. Recommendations for integrated systems are given in BS 7807.
This part of BS 5839 applies only to emergency voice communication systems for use in a temperate climate such as that of the United Kingdom.
BS 5839-9:2003 history
2021BS 5839-9:2021 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of emergency voice communication systems
2011BS 5839-9:2011 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of emergency voice communication systems
2003BS 5839-9:2003 Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings - Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of emergency voice communication systems