Table of Contents
All types of fire alarm systems work on the same principle. A detector detects smoke or heat, or someone operates a manual call point, which activates the control panel and sounder beacons to warn others in the building that there may be a fire.
The alarm sounders or beacons are an important part of the system since they are what are used to inform the occupants of the building of the potential risk.
Read on to find out more about sounder beacons, what they are, where they are used, how they are installed, and much more:
WHAT ARE SOUNDER BEACONS?
The main purpose of a fire alarm system is to detect fires and quickly notify both the occupants of a building as well as the emergency services via a monitored location. Its four main functions include detection, alerts, monitoring, and controlling.
These highly advanced systems use a network of devices and components to offer better detection and protection against fires.
Some of the most basic components include:
- A control panel
- Initiating devices – which include detectors and manual call points
- Notification devices – which include sounder beacons
- Primary and secondary power – which include a mains connection and batteries
Each component has a special role to play and makes up an entire fire alarm system that can be relied upon to detect fires and provide a warning sign for all those present in the building.
The sounder beacons are part of the notification devices and combine a visual indication along with a loud siren for everyone to see and/or hear that the alarm has been activated.
They are a necessary part of a fire alarm system as they instigate a fight or flight response in people. We are trained in a way that we flee when we see or hear an alarm, which is exactly the purpose of a sounder beacon.
While the detectors pick up on the earliest signs of a fire and the control panel helps pinpoint its location, it is the sounder beacons that actually inform the occupants of the situation.
Without the sounder beacons, there would be no efficient way to instantly alert everyone on the premises of the emergency. You could shout “fire!” at the top of your lungs but that wouldn’t be very effective if the property is big and spread out.
TYPES OF SOUNDER BEACONS
Sounder beacons generally come in red colour, although some can even be white for aesthetic purposes. When it comes to the types of sounder beacons, there are different ones from more traditional bell sounders to more advanced speech sounders.
The following are the most common types of sounder beacons:
- Dome bells – with the operating mechanism inside the bell
- Bells – with the operating mechanism outside the bell
- Horns operating within 300 to 400 Hz
- Sirens operating in the frequency range of 400 to 800 Hz
- Electronic solid-state sounders with an output range of 800 to 1000 Hz
- Small sirens operating at 1200 to 1700 Hz
Sounder beacons can be incorporated with any type of fire alarm. The only difference is that in conventional fire alarms, the sounders have their own radial circuit coming from the panel whereas in addressable systems, the sounders are positioned on the same loop as the detectors and manual call points.
In both conventional and addressable fire alarms, the control panel is wired to a minimum of two sounder circuits which contain bells, electronic sounders, or other auditory components. Each circuit also has a device used for monitoring purposes.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING SOUNDER BEACONS?
There are several points to consider when choosing the right sounder beacons for your property. There are many different types of sounder beacons available in the market, each suitable for a particular type of property and fire alarm system.
You need to take into account how many sounder beacons you need and where they should be placed. The best way to determine this is to conduct a fire risk assessment of your property so that you can get a better idea of the level of risk and the best way to minimise it.
In carrying out the assessment, a responsible person must:
- Identify the hazards,
- Identify the people at risk,
- Evaluate and either remove or reduce the risk,
- Record the findings, prepare an emergency plan, and provide training for the smooth execution of the plan,
- Regularly review and update the fire risk assessment.
Following are some of the most important features of a sounder beacon:
- Operating voltage
- Internal or weather-proof installations
- Sounder beacon size
- Sounder beacon colour
- Motor rating
SOUNDER BEACON INSTALLATION
British Standards 5839 have several recommendations with reference to sounder beacons and how they must be installed in a building.
One of the first things to consider is the number of sounder beacons required and how they must be positioned. This is directly related to the size of the property and how noisy it is. If the property is large and/or noisy, more sounders may be required to achieve the bare minimum level.
Pay close attention to the installation positions as incorrect placement of the sounders may lead to inadequate coverage.
It is also a British Standard requirement that all sounder beacons must have similar audible characteristics that are unambiguous and easily distinguishable.
Sounder beacons are available both as standalone wall-mounting versions as well as under-base versions that combine with a fire detector for a more minimalistic appearance.
When installing sounder beacons on your property, there are a few points to keep in mind:
- The position of the sounder beacon must be chosen keeping in mind the area over which it must be audible and visible;
- A sounder beacon installed on a wall is more effective than a pillar-mounted one;
- Environmental conditions must be kept in mind when installing sounder beacons outdoors;
- Avoid placing them in areas with excessive vibration;
- The sound of the sounder beacons will spread in all directions in the open;
- In an enclosed space, some of the sound may be reflected and increase the sound level;
- Immediate obstacles must be avoided when installing the sounders;
- They must be ideally placed at a height of approximately 2 to 2.5 metres;
- Synchronised sounders may give a better overall effect.
SOUND LEVEL OF SOUNDER BEACONS
Sounder beacons are available in a variety of sound levels, with some types much louder than others. You have to be extremely careful when choosing the appropriate sound level for your property.
Very low-volume sounder beacons may not produce enough sound to alert everyone in a large premises, whereas a very loud sounder may be too much for a small property and turn into a nuisance.
According to general guidelines, the sound levels of a sounder beacon within a building must be at least 5 decibels above the ambient environment. However, in sleeping areas, a minimum level of 65 decibels to 75 decibels must be placed at the bed head to wake sleeping occupants.
You also need to keep in mind that the loudness of the sounder decreases as the listener gets further away from the source due to something called divergence. The energy of the sound decreases as it spreads over a large area.
Therefore, when determining the number of sounders and their installation positions, you need to keep these factors into consideration.
SOUNDER BEACON MAINTENANCE
A fire alarm system and its components are installed on your property for protection. Everyone depends on them to function properly, especially in the event of a fire, and provide the earliest warning of the threat.
To make sure the system stays reliable and efficient, it needs to undergo regular inspections and maintenance. This includes checking all the parts of the fire alarm system, including the sounder beacons.
You also have a legal obligation to ensure the system is in good working order and adheres to the current safety regulations.
According to the UK fire alarm regulations, someone competent and reliable must be chosen to install your fire alarm system and service it every 6 months. They require that the competent person(s) must:
- Understand the various types of fire alarm systems and be familiar with all the different models,
- Be able to identify the grades and categories of fire alarm systems, and
- Have a good knowledge and understanding of the British Standard BS 5839.
In addition to having a professional inspect your system, it is equally important for you, as the responsible person, to conduct your own weekly and monthly checks and tests to ensure all the components are working effectively.
During an inspection, special attention must be given to three main areas of the fire alarm that include the condition, sound, and connection.
These involve checking the overall condition of the system and if it is suitable or not, checking whether the sounder beacons are working properly since they are an integral part of the system, and checking the link to the Alarm Receiving Centre in case of professional fire alarm monitoring services.
COST OF SOUNDER BEACONS
When it comes to the cost of sounder beacons, the price varies depending on the type and features. A sounder beacon with a higher sound level will be more expensive than one that has a lower reach.
Similarly, the size, motor rating, and added features such as weather resistance will also have an impact on the total cost of the notification device.
The price varies considerably with simple sounder beacons starting at ÂŁ14 and high-quality ones going all the way up to ÂŁ2500+.
When looking at a fire alarm system as a whole, which contains all the different components including the sounder beacons, there are several factors that come into play with regard to the price.
The following are the factors that determine the total cost of a fire alarm:
- The size of your property;
- The complexity of the system;
- The type of connection;
- The type and number of components;
- The labour costs;
- Any additional costs.
Most residential fire alarms are smoke alarms that can be installed in various places within the house. If you want extra protection, you may install a full fire alarm system with all of its components as well.
As per the British Standards, these fire alarms come in several grades from A to F2. Grade A is the recommended one for homes and consists of separate detectors and sounder beacons with a control panel and backup power supply.
For commercial premises, you must get smoke detectors connected to a fire alarm system that sounds an audible alarm so that people are made aware of the threat.
The more sophisticated and comprehensive the system is, the more it will cost. Some systems can even pinpoint the exact location of the fire and can incorporate sprinkler systems, emergency lighting, and automatic doors.
CONTACT CALDER SECURITY
At Calder Security, we offer you a comprehensive solution for all your property’s fire safety needs and guarantee the best service in all of Yorkshire and beyond. Our services include:
The proper installation of a fire alarm system is just as important as the quality of the system itself. It is a complex task requiring expertise in the field.
We understand that every property is different and the specification of the system depends on several factors including the type of building, the number of occupants present in it, and the level of fire risk.
We can help you cut through all that and advise you on the best fire detection system for your business that complies with British Standards, HSE, Building Regulations, and Fire Officer Guidelines.
We install only high-quality equipment from our trusted suppliers and all our systems comply with business insurance terms.
It is not enough to simply have a fire alarm system installed on your commercial premises. The law states that it must be maintained properly and, depending on many factors, this can be anything up to 3 times per year.
We understand fire regulations and provide professional maintenance checks and reminders for when the checks are due to help you stay compliant with the law.
We work fast to restore your fire alarm system to excellent condition and always strive to meet your expectations.
Fast response to an activated fire alarm can make all the difference in minimising risk to life and property, and fire alarm monitoring does that by adding an extra layer of safety to the system.
Knowing that experts at an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) are looking out for your safety and taking the necessary steps to ensure that safety remains intact in the event of a fire is a very reassuring thought.
We offer various levels of monitoring via a 24-hour monitoring centre using Dualcom and BT Redcare signalling, which is the most secure alarm monitoring system and the largest supplier of intelligent alarm signalling services in the UK.
Fire alarm monitoring not only significantly minimises the seriousness of the situation through fast action but also reduces your insurance premiums.
As per the law, if a fire alarm system becomes faulty, it is mandatory to get it repaired quickly and professionally. The inability to do so can leave you, your staff, your property, and all of its assets in a vulnerable state.
A faulty fire alarm can result in false alarms or, in a worst-case scenario, prevent it from triggering at all in the event of a fire.
Our engineers are highly skilled and can restore your system to full working order in one visit. We offer a 24-hour call-out service for customers and can also repair fire alarms not installed by us thanks to our extensive knowledge and experience.
Contact us here or call us today free on 0800 612 9799 to talk to our experts for more information on sounder beacons and the other components of a fire alarm system.
Photo by Andy Makely on Unsplash