18.

 Safety & security measures

DESIGN BUILDING ENGINEERING ELECTRICAL DESIGN CRITERIA

17. Fire alarm

7. Noti cation
07-May-2018 | V1.1 
Electrical Design Criteria

Public noti cation

A supervised speaker system shall be used to announce pre-programmed digital voice messages in the event of a re alarm within the
facility.  The message will be determined by a system contractor in consultation with HMC's authorized representative in compliance
with standards combined with national code requirements.  Upon investigation by the responsible authorities the system will be
silenced and reset to normal condition.  The VCC will contain a switch to announce a pre-programmed ‘All Clear’ message.

Noti cation devices

Audible
Multiple audio ampli ers are to be mounted in the re alarm control panels (FACP) associated with the circuits they serve.
Adjustment of the correct audio level for the ampli er shall not require any special tools or test equipment.
The total sound pressure level produced by combining the ambient sound pressure level with all audible noti cation appliances
operating shall not exceed 110dBA at the minimum hearing distance.
An average ambient sound level greater than 105dBA shall require the use of a visible noti cation appliance(s) in accordance with
NFPA.
To ensure that audible private mode signals are clearly heard, they shall have a sound level at least 10dB above the average ambient
sound level or 5dB above the maximum sound level having a duration of at least 60 seconds, whichever is greater, measured 5ft
(1.5m) above the oor in the area required to be served by the system using the A-weighted scale (dBA).
The total sound pressure level produced by combining the ambient sound pressure level with all audible noti cation appliances
operating shall not exceed 110dBA at the minimum hearing distance.
Audible noti cation appliances for wide-area signalling like parking, auditorium, shall be installed in accordance with the
acoustically distinguishable spaces (ADS) where voice intelligibility is required.  Voice communications systems shall reproduce pre-
recorded, synthesized, or live (e.g., microphone, telephone handset, and radio) messages with voice intelligibility as per NFPA
required.  
The designers shall engage specialist acoustics consultant to study and recommend adequate type and spacing of speakers to
maintain voice intelligibility for areas with hard nishes like basement, car parking, plant rooms, etc.
Audible devices located outdoors shall be speci ed with a weather-proof enclosure. Audible devices such as horns, bells and/or
speakers, shall be located throughout each facility as required by code to provide audible noti cation of the re alarm condition.
Audible devices shall be speci ed with multiple tap settings to facilitate adjustment of the sound intensity to adapt to the nal
installed conditions.
The designer shall document the design calculations for the ampli er sizing for re alarm speaker@ 1 watt and horns @ 4 watts
and allow 25 percent spare capacity for each ampli er.

Visual
Visual signal appliances shall be synchronized.
Lights used for re alarm signalling only or to signal the intent for complete evacuation shall be clear or nominal white and shall
not exceed 1,000cd.

Combination devices
Combination smoke detectors and visible noti cation appliances or combination smoke alarms and visible noti cation appliances
shall be installed in accordance with Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and NFPA for the sleeping, inpatient areas etc.

Annunciation zoning
 For the purpose of alarm annunciation, each oor of the building shall be considered as a separate zone.
For the purposes of alarm annunciation, if a oor of the building is subdivided into multiple zones by re or smoke barriers and the
re plan for the protected premises allows relocation of occupants from the zone of origin to another zone on the same oor, each
zone on the oor shall be annunciated separately.
 

© Copyright - Hamad Medical Corporation by Corporate Communications Dept.