Do you wonder why fire alarms are so loud? In this post, we will answer any questions about why the fire alarms are so loud.
Have you ever been to a rock concert? If so, then you know that exposure to loud sounds like the sonic boom of a fighter jet or the jackhammer at a construction site can be physically painful. In fact, many people who have heard these noises complain about their ears hurting. As a result, a lot of people end up avoiding loud setting because of the excessive noise that has the potential to affect the hearing of individuals in the long run. Another loud noise that people tend to complain about is fire alarms. Why are they so loud? Here are some important things to remember when it comes to the volume associated with fire alarms.
Why Exactly Do Fire Alarm Volumes Differ?
The goal of a typical fire alarm is to make aware that everyone needs to evacuate a building safely and efficiently. In fact, the NFPA requires that fire alarm horns and sirens need to sound louder than ambient noises. Therefore, the high volume requirement for fire alarms exists because it needs to ultimately account for the fact that distance from the horn can decrease the perceived volume. Furthermore, building materials can typically absorb noise which can dilute the volume of the fire alarm. As a result, due to these factors, the decibel level of fire alarms needs to be high, especially at the source, to make sure that the sound can travel to every single corner of the building itself.
Protecting Your Ears From Loud Fire Alarms
There are different things people can do to protect their ears from the incredibly loud noise emanating from fire alarms. In fact, whether it’s the loud noise of a fire alarm that makes you instinctively cover your ears, there are other proactive things you can do to protect your hearing that may be effective. The most important thing is to have a building equipped with a proper fire evacuation plan. Doing fire drills regularly will make staff knowledgeable about what to do in a fire event situation when the fire alarm is going off, which then allows them to evacuate safely without much damage to their ears as a result of the fire alarm itself.
KEEP YOUR BUSINESS AND HOME SAFE WITH ANDERSON FIRE PROTECTION, INC.
Anderson Fire Protection, Inc. has the expertise and skill to help your home or commercial property for all your fire protection needs. We have been working in the Maryland, Northern Virginia, Southern Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. areas for over 25 years. We are known for our top-notch customer service and high-quality results. If you are ready for fantastic fire prevention and protection services, from fire sprinkler installation to fire alarm design and consulting, give us a call at (410) 796-4915 or visit us online. For more fire safety tips to help keep your property safe, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.