C-TEC’s Marketing Manager, Andy Green, clarifies the use of visual warning devices on fire detection and alarm systems, while summarising where, why and when current guidance recommends such devices should be used.
Beacons, strobes, ‘VIDs’ and ‘VADs’ – what on earth is the difference? Beacons and strobes have been used in fire alarm systems to warn the hearing impaired of a potential fire for many years. However, four years ago the code of practice for the design and installation of fire systems (BS 5839 part 1, published in 2013) introduced a new type of device – an EN54 part 23 certified ‘VAD’ or, to give it its full title, a Visual Alarm Device.
So what is a Visual Alarm Device (VAD)?
A VAD is a warning device intended for use on a fire alarm system that has been independently certified as meeting the requirements of the EN 54 part 23 product standard. This standard was introduced to ensure such devices are fit for purpose.
Prior to its introduction, there was no industry standard that specified the durability, light output, performance criteria or installation requirements of a visual warning device. Different manufacturers therefore rated their beacons and strobes in different ways – usually by their power consumption rather than by their light output. This increased the risk of inappropriate devices being used and potentially jeopardised the lives of the people they were intended to protect – the hearing impaired or people wearing ear defenders.
The concept of VADs was great in theory but when BS 5839 part 1 2013 was introduced, very few certified VADs existed. In the absence of such devices, many installers continued to use the same uncertified beacons and strobes they always had. These uncertified devices became known as VIDs (Visual Indicating Devices) to differentiate them from VADs and many felt it was acceptable to continue using them moving forwards. Clearly it was not!
In order to address the issue, The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has recently published a document entitled: “Guidance on the application of primary visual alarm devices (VADs) and supplementary visual indication devices (VIDs)”.
Put simply, this guidance makes it clear that where a visual indicator is used as a primary alarm, it must be a VAD certified to EN 54-23 unless the building’s risk assessment SPECIFICALLY states that it does not need to be.
So where should VADs be used?
The FIA’s guidance states to comply with the Equality Act, Building Regulations and the recommendations of codes of practice such as BS 5839-1 and BS 8300, EN 54-23 certified VADs must be installed in all sanitary accommodation (not just accessible WCs), all hotel bedrooms, student accommodation and similar properties, plus anywhere where people with impaired hearing are likely to be alone, such as isolated offices.
It goes on to say uncertified VIDs must NOT be used to warn building occupants of a fire condition. They can, however, be used as supplementary indicators, for example, as remote indicators for a hidden fire detector.
It’s important to note there are instances where a risk assessment may call for alternative methods of alerting the hearing impaired, such as vibrating pillow devices, pagers or ‘buddy’ systems, all of which rely on some form of management process. However, the FIA guidance is clear: if a risk assessment doesn’t specifically state otherwise, VADs should be used in all mandated situations.
