Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996

Part VII Minimum requirements for acoustic signals

Intrinsic features

1.1.  Acoustic signals must:

(a) have a sound level which is considerably higher than the level of ambient noise, so that it is audible without being excessive or painful;

(b) be easily recognizable, particularly in terms of pulse length and the interval between pulses or groups of pulses, and be clearly distinct from any other acoustic signal and ambient noises.

1.2.  If a device can emit an acoustic signal at variable and constant frequencies, the variable frequency should be used to indicate a higher level of danger or a more urgent need for the requested/imposed intervention or action in relation to the stable frequency.

Code

2.  The signal for evacuation must be continuous.