Visual Alarm Devices Presented prepared by Chris Orr
Visual Alarm Devices The new standard AS7240.23 is based on EN54-23/ISO 7240.23 New Clause 3.22 (b) (xvi)&(xvii) introduces the requirements for VADs Areas designated for persons with hearing impairment Areas of high ambient noise Where reverberation time exceeds 1.50s Where hearing protection is warn Where audible warning is not provided Where speech intelligibility cannot be achieved 2
Visual Alarm Devices Whatever the position of the individual in relation to the VAD, he/she must see the flash off surfaces (Direct/Indirect) Visual Alarm Device performance has been previously poorly specified. The use of Joules, Watts and Candela to specify a VADs performance does not take into account the effectiveness of the visual signal over a given area. 3
Visual Alarm Devices AS7240.23 does not measure the brightness of the beacon but the illuminance off a surface (Lux=lumens/m²) Based on research the minimum required illumination off a surface to attract attention is 0.4 LUX. This provides an easy way to specify performance Accessible Areas?? The old approach of If I can see it, it must be OK no longer applies 4
Visual Alarm Devices VADs are rated for volume of coverage that provides the required illumination on all surfaces. The rating of a VAD provides a defined area of coverage for the specific VAD making the design process much easier and with a know illumination outcome. Two types of beacon are acceptable as a visual alarm device: Xenon & LED Rotating types are not allowable under the Standard. 5
Visual Alarm Devices Three categories of devices are defined, ceiling mounted, wall mounted, and an open category. Consult the manufacturer s data At a given mounting height, the coverage area of a VAD is defined by the diameter (ceiling mount) or width (wall mount) of the coverage, given in metres. 6
Visual Alarm Devices Ceiling Mount Devices C-x-y x The maximum mounting height (3, 6 or 9 m) y The diameter is the cylindrical volume covered. Eg: C-3-15 corresponds to a ceiling-mounted device giving a coverage cylindrical diameter of 15 m, when mounted at 3 m height. To convert the coverage diameter y to the width of a square room = y / 1.414 m (15m = 10.6m) 7
Visual Alarm Devices Wall Mounted Devices W-x-y x The maximum mounting height (Minimum value of 2.4m) y The width of the Square volume covered at a height x Eg: W-2.4-7.5 corresponds to a wall-mounted device giving a coverage cuboid volume of 2.4 m x 7.5 m x 7.5 m, when mounted at a height of 2.4 m. 8
Visual Alarm Devices O Open Class Device Coverage volume is specified by the manufacturer Open class devices do not conform to either the Wall or Ceiling category. Manufacturer s specification will include: - the mounting position the mounting orientation the minimum and maximum mounting height the shape, dimensions and orientation of the coverage volume (0.4 lux) Example: Corridor VAD 9
Visual Alarm Devices External factors Ambient light level Will artificial light and natural light be a factor (time of day, etc) Reflective surfaces Are walls or other surfaces matt or shiny, etc.? Field of view Is the light visible from the VAD directly or indirectly e.g. light reflected from an adjacent surface would be indirect Use of tinted eye protection Is the VAD to be used in an industrial environment, where personal protective equipment (PPE) may be in use, etc.? 10
Visual Alarm Devices Coverage Distance Multiplication Factors Multiplication factors should only be used after careful consideration of the application, including prevailing ambient light level and the need to rely on indirect, rather than direct illumination. Multiplication factors applied to the coverage distance for VADs may increase, or decrease the specified coverage volume stated by the manufacturer. Courtesy of Coopers Fulleon 11
Visual Alarm Devices Consult the VAD manufacturer s data sheets for the application Manufacturer s provide design guides and/or software APPS Correction Amendment: Clause 3.22 (xvi) delete They shall have the temporal pattern described in ISO 8201 imposed on the evacuate signals 12
Baseline Data Presented by Chris Orr
Baseline Data Baseline data has always been implied in the design standards but rarely adequately treated. Baseline data has been misunderstood and/or misused in the application of AS1851. So much so FP001 is about to issue an amendment to clarify the use of baseline data within the inspection and test regimes. The deficiency has been in the design standards in not adequately treating the need for and how we obtain the necessary data. 14
Baseline Data The new AS1670.1 Clause 1.7 mandates the establishment of baseline data New Definition 1.4.10 Baseline data Data derived from the approved design and commissioning which serve as the basis for subsequent comparison with data derived from inspection, test and survey. (AS1851) Clause 1.7.1 General: The system design shall include the details and documentation for both installation and commissioning of the system. 15
Baseline Data Clause 1.7.2 Baseline data. The design, installation and commissioning documentation shall be provided to facilitate the service and maintenance of the system for the period of its service life... (AS1851) This clause now links the aspects of design, installation and commissioning. 16
Baseline Data The baseline data shall include but not limited to: Site identification Scope of system design Type of system As built drawings including wiring and component details Statement that equipment used complies to the relevant product standard System interface diagram/cause and effect sheet Monitoring details if applicable Power supply details including all quiescent and alarm load calculations The standard is very specific as to what must be included as the minimum Baseline Data - Baseline Data reflects the design 17
Baseline Data Implications of mandating baseline data Clause 1.7.2 Baseline data. The design, installation and commissioning documentation shall be provided to facilitate the service and maintenance of the system for the period of its service life... The baseline data links the performance of the life safety system to the performance of the building 18
Baseline Data Implications of mandating baseline data AS1670.1 2015 introduces 4 new appendix to define the documentation to be provided at the time of system certification. Appendix E - System Designers statement Appendix F - Standard form of installer s statement for automatic fire detection and alarm systems Appendix G - System commissioning statement Appendix J - Commissioning 19
Designer s Statement The design statement needs to identify: The Name and/or company providing the design. Location and name of the site, building and if applicable address. The system is an alteration to an existing system, a new system. Type of system: collective (conventional), addressable, analogue-addressable or any combinations. 20
Designer s Statement The design statement needs to identify: The design criteria AS 1670.1 2015, Deemed to satisfy provisions of NCC, Alternate Solution including Fire Safety Engineering Report reference 21
Designer s statement We certify the equipment used within the design. We have provided the following design documentation I/we confirm the design includes any changes required during the installation of the system and that the system meets the design standard required. 22
Installer s Statement The Installer s statement needs to identify: The Name and/or company providing the installation. Location and name of the site, building and if applicable address. The system is an alteration to an existing system, a new system. Type of system: collective (conventional), addressable, analogue-addressable or any combinations. 23
Installer Statement The system design documentation was provided by - Design Ref. No.. The design criteria is AS 1670.1 2015, Deemed to satisfy provisions of NCC, an Alternate Solution provided by engineer s name/company; fire safety engineering report (FSER) reference... 24
Installer s Statement We certify that (a)the system is installed to the design documentation including all amendments. (b) The design documentation has been updated to include all installation detail including but not limited to zoning, device location, device type, transmission/circuit paths, location of all junction boxes, location of primary power source and location of all end of line devices (ELD). (c) The cabling meets the requirements of AS 1670.1 2015. Cable provider s license number: 25
Commissioning Statement The Commissioning statement needs to identify: The Name and/or company providing the installation. Location and name of the site, building and if applicable address. The system is an alteration to an existing system, a new system. Type of system: collective (conventional), addressable, analogue-addressable or any combinations. 26
Commissioning Statement The design statement has been provided by Name and/or company/address. The installer s statement has been provided by Name and/or company/address. The Design criteria is, AS 1670.1 2015, Deemed to satisfy provisions of NCC, an Alternate Solution provided by engineer s name/company; fire safety engineering report (FSER) reference... 27
Commissioning Statement We certify that the installed system (a) meets the design standard specified; (b) is correctly installed; (c) meets the cause and effect matrix requirements; (d) meets the system interface requirements; (e) commissioning report is provided; and (f) the baseline data is provided (refer Clause 1.7.2). 28
Baseline Data The new requirements recognise the specific and individual skill sets required to design, install and commission a system. The appendices are deliberately informative because system design and performance is specific to the building type, size, layout and occupancy There is no generic commissioning routine, it must be developed and documented to reflect the system design and functionality The format of these appendices is informative to allow an individual company to customise the commissioning documentation. 29
Baseline Data The appendices might be informative BUT the documentation required SHALL be provided. Design Installation Commissioning The COMMISSIONING format is informative BUT the requirement to commission IS MANDATORY 30
Baseline Data Thank you for your time 31