An evacuation alarm system quickly alerts the occupants in the event of a potential fire. In some situations, NEN 2575-1* prescribes an evacuation system, which includes not only an evacuation signal but also a spoken message instructing occupants to leave the building.
In the event of a fire alarm, it may be necessary to evacuate a building quickly and efficiently. To warn and prompt people in the building to leave, an evacuation signal (slow-whoop) sounds. This is an evacuation alarm system type B. However, in certain situations, such a signal may cause panic or be insufficiently clear to the occupants, for example, in entertainment centers where many people gather. In these types of situations, NEN 2575-1 prescribes a type A system. This is a system that combines an evacuation signal with a spoken message. Additionally, this type of system can provide supplementary instructions regarding the evacuation via a command microphone.
In the following situations, NEN 2575-1 prescribes an evacuation alarm system type A:
- a building is > 10,000 m2 and/or
- A building has several rooms in which more than 1000 people can stay and/or
- A building has one room in which more than 2000 people can stay and/or
- The building has an accommodation function in which the highest floor is higher than 20 m
Merely following laws and regulations is not always enough
When it comes to fire safety, we advise always looking beyond the applicable laws and regulations and primarily taking your own specific situation and circumstances as a starting point. Laws and regulations only set the minimum requirements. As an owner or user, you must always take responsibility in this area yourself. This has also been legally regulated since the Building Decree of 2012: the user of the building is personally responsible for fire safety. Therefore, when it comes to the safety of the organization and employees, always be vigilant and proactive.