• FIA Guidance on the Application of Visual Alarm Devices (VAD).pdf

    13 February 2017

  • Guidance Visual Alarm Devices, Conflict between BS 5839-1 & EN 54-23

  • Guidance CIE VAD CPR

  • Groundbreaking research on Visual Alarm Devices published by Building Research Establishment in collaboration with the Fire Industry Association

    22 July 2024

    Discover the latest advancements in fire safety with Building Research Establishment (BRE)'s newly published research on the effectiveness of Visual Alarm Devices (VADs). Sponsored by the Fire Industry Association (FIA) and its members, this comprehensive study explores five critical factors influencing VAD performance, offering essential insights for updating fire safety standards.

  • LPCB CoP001 - Visual alarm devices used for fire warning

  • If indication devices do not comply with EN 54-23 can they be used in a fire detection & alarm system?

    Since January 2014 visual alarm devices (VAD) should meet the requirements of EN 54-23. This has led to some confusion regarding the use of combined sounder beacon devices where the beacon element does not comply with EN 54-23. The use of such devices is acceptable while understanding that the beacon element must be regarded as a supplementary visual indicating device (VID) and is not expected to provide a primary alarm warning signal for alerting or evacuating the occupants of the building.

    The requirements of any fire detection and alarm system should come from the determinations of a fire risk assessment and the emergency evacuation procedures. If this risk assessment does not identify the need for a VAD then combined sounder beacon bases can provide a supplementary visual indication that will increase the awareness of people to an event. However manufacturers should make a clear declaration that the device is not to be applied as a visual alarm device as defined by EN 54-23.

    For further information refer to the FIA Guidance on the application of primary visual alarm devices and supplementary visual indication devices.

  • Guidance the Application of Primary Visual Alarm Devices and Supplementary Indicating Devices

  • Myth 20: Do you have to use the tables for the coverage of Visual Alarm Devices (VAD’s) from Annex F of BS 5839-1?

    9 September 2016

    No, the annex is for information only.

  • Everything you wanted to know about CIE and VAD but were afraid to ask

    9 March 2015

  • All you need to know about the FIA's Councils and Working Groups

    17 May 2021

    Did you realise that as an FIA member you are able to participate in our highly influential Councils and Working Groups?