Fire & Safety BS 5839-9
The purpose of BS 5839-9 is not to provide a justification for the installation of EVC systems, rather to provide recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of such systems.
The scope to the Standard makes it clear that, other than in exceptional circumstances, EVC systems are not intended as a means of raising a fire alarm instead of manual call points (MCPs). The designer of the EVC system should adequately consult with key stakeholders at the design stage. Such key stakeholders are: • User or purchaser • Supplier of the system • Installer of the system • Consultants, including architects M&E, fi re safety, access, acoustic and risk assessment – clause 5.
To the extent necessary, the installer of the system should consult with the designer, supplier and consultants.
Beacon EVC system
An EVC system is typically required in the following situations:
In any building or sports or similar venue where there are disabled people, or people who may have diffi culty negotiating the evacuation route.
In buildings with phased evacuation and/
or fi refi ghting lifts where it facilitates secure communications for building managers, fi re wardens, and attending fi re offi cers. At sports venues and similar complexes, where it will assist stewards in controlling the evacuation of the area in an emergency. The Beacon Emergency Voice Communications (EVC) system is designed to fully comply
Fig 2 Diagram 3.2 Refuge formed in a stairwell
The purpose of BS 5839-9 is not to provide a justifi cation for the installation of EVC systems, rather to provide recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and
maintenance of such systems.
with BS 5839-9:2021 for use as a Fire Telephone system, Disabled Refuge Call system or as a combined system when both Fire Telephones and Disabled Refuge Points are required. The Beacon EVC system comprises of a Master
Station and one or more outstations. Additionally, the “Assist Call” emergency assistance alarm system can either be connected to the same line as a Type B outstation or connected to a dedicated line. Neither the outstations nor the “Assist Call” emergency alarm system requires a separate power supply unit as each line is powered from the Master Station. This has the additional benefit of each line being fully monitored and battery backed up. Each Beacon Master Station can also perform as a Beacon Repeater Station. A Beacon Repeater Station mimics the Beacon Master Station both in operation and indication.
The Beacon Master Station has been designed for radial star topology. In most cases this will reduce the cable requirements for all ring-based systems. The topology consists of spurs formed of 1 two-core 1.5mm2
CSA cables (soft skin
enhanced up to 500 m per leg, MICC 200 m per leg) to each outstation.
If the Beacon Master Station and the Beacon Repeater Station are distributed around a site, it is essential that both Beacon Stations are on the same mains phase. Powering from different phases can mean a 400 V potential can be present in a Beacon Station during a major fault incident.
Conclusion
The provision of an EVC system is essential in those premises where it is likely that the less able-bodied are present and where the nature of the people on the premises is likely to create problems for evacuation. The EVC system will enable those responsible for managing evacuation to safely manage, insofar as they are able, the evacuation.
ewnews.co.uk September 2023 electrical wholesaler | 31
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