18.1 Commentary

General Considerations:

Many people with severe hearing impairment can perceive conventional alarms.
Relying on others to alert them may suffice in some situations.
Special provisions may be needed for buildings with significant numbers of Deaf or hard of hearing individuals, isolated workers, or those who move around frequently.

Additional Means of Warning:

Visual alarms in areas where individuals spend significant time, including toilets.
Tactile devices for sleeping areas (e.g., under pillows or mattresses), triggered by wired or radio signals.
Devices can be fixed, movable, or portable.

Types of Equipment:

Fixed: Secured in place (e.g., alarm control panels).
Movable: Can be re positioned but not used while moving (e.g., table-top units).
Portable: Designed for use while carried (e.g., radio pagers), typically providing visual and/or tactile signals.

4. Control and Licensing:

Portable devices are often radio-controlled and require control equipment interfaced with the fire alarm system.
OFCOM licensing required for radio paging systems, with three types of licenses:
SRBP Licence: No interference protection.
Self-Select Licence: Some protection from unauthorized use.
Manual Frequency Coordinated License: Eliminates interference.

Standards and Risk Assessment:

No current British Standard specifications, but recommendations should be followed.
Any variations should be subject to risk assessment to avoid undue risk.

18.2 Recommendations

18.2.1 General

The following recommendations are applicable.

1. Visual Alarm Signals:

Should conform to Clause 17 and be treated as fire alarm devices.
Circuits serving these devices must be monitored and protected against fire.
Follow guidance from Approved Document M of Building Regulations for compliance.

NOTE Approved Document M to the Building Regulations in England and Wales [6] (and equivalent guidance in Scotland and Northern Ireland) provides guidance on the provision of visual alarm devices intended to warn people who are Deaf and hard of hearing in the event of fire for compliance with building regulations.

2. Tactile Alarm Devices:

Can be fixed, movable, or portable.
Fixed or movable tactile devices should be treated as fire alarm devices.
Circuits must be monitored and flexible cables >3 m must be fire-protected.
Output intensity should be sufficient to attract attention.

3. Regulatory Compliance:

Seek advice from OFCOM for systems using radio signals.
Control and transmission equipment must conform to Annex C recommendations.

18.2.2 Portable alarm devices

Alarm Transmission and Signal:

Alarm should reach the portable device within 5 seconds of activation.
Alarm signal should last at least 60 seconds or until acknowledged, and may be intermittent.
Transmission equipment should continuously send alarm signals until canceled. If not continuous, signals should repeat every 10 seconds.

Multiple Uses and Prioritization:

Differentiate fire signals from other signals via cadence pattern.
Fire signals should have priority over other signals, unless a higher-priority emergency is identified through risk assessment.

Failure and Battery Indicators:

Connection failure should trigger a visual and tactile signal within 5 minutes, with visual remaining until resolved, and tactile repeating every 15 minutes.
Low battery should trigger continuous visual and tactile signals, with tactile repeating every 15 minutes after acknowledgment until the battery is depleted or replaced.

Switch Design and Fault Warnings:

Off switches should avoid inadvertent operation.
Faults in the portable alarm system should result in a common fault warning at the fire alarm control equipment within 100 seconds.
Monitoring cables for faults is necessary, though fire-resisting cables are not required.

18 Fire alarm warnings for people who are Deaf and hard of hearing