BS 7827:2019 - Designing, Specifying, Maintaining, and Operating Emergency Sound Systems

Standard Number: BS 7827:2019

Pages: 74

Released: October 24, 2019

ISBN: 978 0 539 00637 7

Status: Standard

Overview

In today's world, ensuring the safety and security of individuals in large public spaces is of paramount importance. The BS 7827:2019 standard provides a comprehensive code of practice for the design, specification, maintenance, and operation of emergency sound systems in sports grounds, large public buildings, and venues. This standard is essential for professionals involved in the planning and management of these spaces, ensuring that they are equipped with reliable and effective emergency sound systems.

Why Choose BS 7827:2019?

BS 7827:2019 is a crucial resource for anyone responsible for the safety of large public venues. Here are some reasons why this standard is indispensable:

• Comprehensive Guidance: This standard offers detailed guidance on the entire lifecycle of emergency sound systems, from initial design and specification to ongoing maintenance and operation.
• Safety Assurance: By adhering to the guidelines set out in BS 7827:2019, you can ensure that your venue is equipped to handle emergencies effectively, minimizing risks to public safety.
• Industry Compliance: Following this standard helps ensure compliance with industry regulations and best practices, which is critical for legal and insurance purposes.
• Expert Insights: Developed by industry experts, this standard incorporates the latest research and technological advancements in emergency sound systems.

Key Features

The BS 7827:2019 standard covers a wide range of topics related to emergency sound systems, including:

• System Design: Guidelines for designing sound systems that are effective in various types of venues, taking into account acoustics, audience size, and other critical factors.
• Specification Criteria: Detailed criteria for specifying the components and capabilities of emergency sound systems to ensure they meet the necessary performance standards.
• Maintenance Protocols: Best practices for maintaining sound systems to ensure they remain operational and effective over time.
• Operational Procedures: Recommendations for the operation of sound systems during emergencies, including testing and drills to ensure readiness.

Who Should Use This Standard?

BS 7827:2019 is designed for a wide range of professionals, including:

• Facility Managers: Responsible for the overall safety and functionality of large public venues.
• Sound System Engineers: Involved in the design and installation of emergency sound systems.
• Safety Officers: Tasked with ensuring compliance with safety regulations and standards.
• Event Coordinators: Planning and managing events in large venues where public safety is a concern.

Benefits of Implementing BS 7827:2019

Implementing the guidelines of BS 7827:2019 offers numerous benefits, including:

• Enhanced Safety: By ensuring that emergency sound systems are designed and maintained according to best practices, you can significantly enhance the safety of your venue.
• Reduced Liability: Compliance with recognized standards can help reduce liability in the event of an incident, as it demonstrates a commitment to safety and due diligence.
• Improved Communication: Effective sound systems ensure clear communication during emergencies, which is critical for directing and protecting the public.
• Cost Efficiency: Properly designed and maintained systems can reduce the need for costly repairs and replacements, offering long-term savings.

Conclusion

The BS 7827:2019 standard is an essential tool for anyone involved in the management and operation of large public venues. By providing comprehensive guidance on the design, specification, maintenance, and operation of emergency sound systems, this standard helps ensure that these spaces are safe and compliant with industry best practices. Whether you are a facility manager, sound system engineer, safety officer, or event coordinator, BS 7827:2019 offers the insights and guidelines you need to protect the public and enhance the safety of your venue.

BS 7827:2019

This standard BS 7827:2019 Designing, specifying, maintaining and operating emergency sound systems for sports grounds, large public buildings, and venues. Code of Practice is classified in these ICS categories:

• 13.320 Alarm and warning systems
• 97.220.01 Sports equipment and facilities in general
• 33.160.30 Audio systems

This British Standard gives recommendations and guidance for the design, specification, maintenance and operation of permanently installed sound systems used for emergency purposes at sports grounds, venues and other large buildings/sites that have similar electroacoustic systems, occupancy and occupant-generated sound levels, to convey specific instructions to the public to manage their behaviour in a variety of situations.

The standard is applicable to emergencies that require full or partial evacuation and those for which there is a need to keep people inside a building, safe from danger outside.

Emergency sound systems in large public buildings, venues and sports grounds are covered by this British Standard as a specific case because these form a class of building or complex which has certain parameters which define a particular need in terms of life safety.

These include, but are not restricted to:

1. one centralized or several focused performance spaces or activity areas;

2. “back of house” areas for operational and administrative purposes;

3. large areas of internal circulation;

4. large external areas of collection and dispersal, e.g. car and coach parks, railway stations;

5. occasional high crowd density; or

6. a fully engineered V5 system as defined in BS 5839‑8:2013.

In addition to the different types of area, a project is likely to fall under the scope of this British Standard when the venue has the following characteristics:

1. has higher sound pressure level (SPL) requirements than a conventional public address or voice alarm system, typically above 90 dB(A);

2. has several distributed equipment rack locations and/or multiple call/paging points;

3. has complex operational requirements, such as the ability to run simultaneous activities;

4. is a sports stadium or arena;

5. is frequented by large members of the public unfamiliar with the building;

6. has varying operational requirements depending on use, typically event and non-event mode or public and non-public days;

7. has a combination of large open spaces and smaller enclosed areas; or

8. has substantial periods of minimal or partial use.

This British Standard aims to ensure that, in an emergency, voiced messages are intelligible in all parts of the venue to which the public have access, no matter what type of event is taking place, as well as those areas outside the venue that the system is intended to serve. Emergency messages to cover staff areas are also covered.

This British Standard applies irrespective of whether a special sound system is installed for an event.