Notification Appliances

Definition

Notification appliances are devices designed to announce to building occupants or at a remote location when a fire alarm system enters the alarm state. Examples include horns, strobe lights, chimes, bells, or combination units, which are also available in weatherproof and hazardous location versions.

Purpose

Notification appliances are essential for alerting building occupants to emergencies, such as fires, enabling timely evacuation and ensuring safety. They provide audible and visual signals to inform people of the need to take action, such as evacuating the building or seeking shelter.

Examples of Use

• Fire Alarms: Horns and strobe lights used in fire alarm systems to alert occupants of a fire emergency.
• Emergency Notification: Chimes and bells used in schools and industrial facilities to signal emergencies or drills.
• Remote Alerts: Devices that send alarms to remote monitoring centers in hazardous or remote locations to ensure timely response.

Related Terms

• Fire Alarm System: A system of devices, including sensors and notification appliances, designed to detect and alert occupants of fire.
• Audible Alarm: An alarm that produces a sound to alert people to an emergency.
• Visual Alarm: A visual signal, such as a strobe light, used to alert people, especially those with hearing impairments, to an emergency.

Notes

• Regulations: Notification appliances must comply with safety regulations and standards to ensure effectiveness and reliability.
• Maintenance: Regular testing and maintenance are essential to ensure notification appliances function correctly in an emergency.