According to Hochiki Europe, 2013 is set to be’ a year of significant change’ for fire detection manufacturers, in the way their products and systems are designed, produced, and used – thanks to the introduction of EN 54-23:2010, a pan-European standard focusing on visual alarm devices (VADs).
The company explained: “The British Standards Institute (BSI) introduced EN 54-23 in June 2010 to set stricter guidelines on the installation and performance requirements of VADs. For some time lack of regulation in this area has led to devices being chosen for convenience, rather than effectiveness.
“Within healthcare environments, having an appropriate visual alarm signal is more important than an audible sounder for patients who may be hard-of-hearing. By ensuring that VADs meet certain standards of output, the goal is that they will be more effective at alerting them, to possible danger.”
Initially due to be introduced in March 2013, mandatory compliance to EN 54-23 has had to be delayed until the end of December this year, following petitions from several member countries to the European Commission. Hochiki said: “Very few manufacturers were able to offer compliant products to the market in time. However, with a number of VADs currently undergoing third party testing, it is safe to assume that the introduction of the new standard will not be put back any further.”
EN 54-23 addresses the effectiveness of the light signal over a given area. As a result, compliant VADs are only permitted to emit a red or white light, and are classified into three distinct categories based on intended application – ceiling-mounted devices, wall-mounted devices, and an open class category.
Hochiki explains that each category has specific targets for light distribution and coverage volumes. Different light dispersion patterns and characteristics are also required according to the VAD’s intended mounting position. The specified light illumination requirement is the same as that specified by UL – 0.4 lumens per m2 or 0.4 Lux, while the rating of a device, as defined by EN 54-23, specifies the volume of effectiveness, including the mounting height from floor level.
To assist with the implementation of EN 54-23, and explain how it relates to BS 5839-1 – the code of practice for design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance, of fire detection systems in non-domestic premises – the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) and the Fire Industry Association (FIA) have jointly published the Code of Practice for Visual Alarm Devices used for Fire Warning (CoP 0001). This provides guidance and recommendations on the planning, design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of VADs, and is also directly referenced in the latest version of BS 5839-1, released in March.
Hochiki said: “A risk assessment will ultimately determine whether VADs are required as part of an overall strategy. If they are, all room occupants should ideally have a clear line-of-sight to the device. However, if the use of an area renders this impossible, their selection and siting should be such that the required level of illumination is provided from appropriate adjacent surfaces, by taking into account other factors such as surface reflectivity and ambient light conditions.
“Should a Responsible Person – as designated under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO 2005) – not have the required competency to carry out this procedure, they should employ a specialist, suitably skilled, fire risk assessor, who has proof of competency, such as the BRE BTEC Professional Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment qualification, or third party certification via the BAFE or FRAC schemes. Professional bodies such as the National Association of Healthcare Fire Officers (NAHFO) maintain registers of suitable life safety fire risk assessors.”
