Sound Pressure Level

Fire Alarm
Bambang Yanu
Fri, 03 Mar 2023 16:33:15 GMT

NFPA 72 outlines the requirements for fire alarm notification appliances, which take two
primary forms: audible and visible.

Horns and sirens provide the audible alert, sounding off at 65 to 120 decibels (dB)
when standing 10 feet from the device.
Strobe lights provide the visible alert, flashing once per second at 15 to 1,000
candelas, depending on the setting.

There’s no doubt that prolonged and repeated exposure to loud noises can damage your
hearing. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
(NIDCD) states that 85 dB and higher is the danger zone for hearing loss.

Obviously, the goal of a fire alarm is to make sure everyone in the building knows to
evacuate. That’s why the NFPA requires fire alarm horns and sirens to sound louder
than ambient noises.

The precise requirement is 15 dB above the average noise level or 5 dB above the
maximum ambient sound, whichever is greater. This means it may be appropriate to
program fire alarm horns to 75 dB for a restaurant or office setting, but an industrial
facility with loud equipment may need to sound off closer to the maximum 120 dB level
to ensure the sound stands out from other ambient noises.

The high volume requirement for fire alarms accounts for the fact that distance from the
horn decreases its perceived volume, and building materials absorb noise, especially if
the doors are closed between rooms. Due to these factors, the decibel level must be high
at the source to ensure the sound travels to every corner of the building. Obviously, the
goal of a fire alarm is to make sure everyone in the building knows to evacuate. That’s
why the NFPA requires fire alarm horns and sirens to sound louder than ambient noises.
 Session Report
3/3/2023

Information Panel

Name S344_BCM120001_03032023_131746

Start Time 3/3/2023 11:02:22 AM

Stop Time 3/3/2023 11:02:39 AM

Device Name BCM120001

Model Type SoundPro SE

Device Firmware Rev R.13E

Comments

Summary Data Panel

Description Meter Value Description Meter Value

Takt 1 90.3 dB UL Time 1 00:00:00

Rtime 1 00:00:17 OL% 1 0%

PKtime 1 3/3/2023 UR% 1 0%

11:02:26 AM

Mxtime 1 3/3/2023 L50 1 90 dB

11:02:27 AM

L90 1 68.8 dB L10 1 90.6 dB

CNEL 1 89.3 dB L1 1 90.9 dB

Lpk 1 102.1 dB Mntime 1 3/3/2023

11:02:24 AM

Lmin 1 62.2 dB Leq 1 --

Lmax 1 91 dB

Response 1 SLOW Weighting 1 A

Exchange Rate 1 3 dB Bandwidth 1 1/3

Weighting 2 A Response 2 SLOW

Exchange Rate 2 3 dB

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Statistics Chart

S344_BCM120001_03032023_131746: Sta s cs Chart

Filter Summary Chart - Lavg

S344_BCM120001_03032023_131746: Filter Summary Chart - Lavg

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