Reducing alarm decibel levels, NFPA 72 style
I was chatting with someone about the decibel level that fire alarms must be set at, and I thought, "Hey, a nice blog idea."
The National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72) requires fire alarms to have an output (i.e., sound level) at least 15 decibels above the average ambient sound level or 5 decibels above the maximum sound level having a duration of at least 60 seconds, whichever is greater. You measure this decibel level 5 ft above the floor in the occupied area.
That said, NFPA 72 does say that audible signaling volume can be reduced, or in some cases, eliminated, when:
- Approved by the AHJ (generally the local fire department)
- Visible signaling is in place
If a fire alarm horn is so loud that the PA announcement can't be heard, I would consider that an improvement opportunity and time to call the fire inspector.
Comments
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Mac, this issue is particularly important when considering neonates. Studies find that noise (and lighting) can have adverse developmental effects on small infants.
# Posted By Patty_Needham
| 2/1/08 9:31 AM
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