Experimental study on the sound attenuation of the fire alarm sounder system in apartment buildings

공동주택 화재경보 발생음 특성에 관한 실험연구

In many fire emergencies, the audible fire alarm signals are very important to save the occupant's life. But as the sound insulation of building elements has been improved, it is more difficult for occupant to recognize the fire alarm signals when the fire alarm worked. This is the study to show the sound attenuation of the fire alarm sounder system in apartment buildings. We measured and analyzed the sound attenuation level in 17 units, and the results were compared with the minimum sound level at sleeping area by NFPA(National Fire Protection Association) 72. When only the fire alarm worked in stair hall, the sound levels in bedroom were in the range of $30.6{\sim}42.8dB(A)$ and the differences between sound level and ambient sound level in bedrooms were in the range of $7.1{\sim}13.8dB(A)$. And when the emergency broadcasting device in the livingroom and the fire alarm worked simultaneously, the sound levels in bedrooms were in the range of $54.2{\sim}63.0dBA$. Finally, it was showed that the fire alarm sounder system didn't give a sufficient sound level in bedroom to awake out of sleep.