NEMA Standards Publication

NEMA SBP 4-2015

Low-frequency Audible
Signals

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

 A NEMA Fire, Life Safety, Security, and
Emergency Communication Section White Paper
NEMA SBP 4-2015

Low-frequency Audible Signals

Published by

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

th
1300 North 17 Street, Suite 900
Rosslyn, Virginia 22209

www.nema.org

© 2015 National Electrical Manufacturers Association. All rights, including translation into other
languages, reserved under the Universal Copyright Convention, the Berne Convention for the Protection
of Literary and Artistic Works, and the International and Pan American copyright conventions.
 NEMA SBP 4-2015
Page 2

Scope
This white paper addresses the need for and development of the low-frequency audible signal used in fire
alarms, carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, and fire or CO alarm systems. It documents the signal’s waking
effectiveness for hearing-impaired people, school-age children, and the elderly. It also summarizes the
voluntary national consensus requirements for the application, installation, location, and performance for
these products when employing the low-frequency audible signal.

Purpose
The purpose of this white paper is to clear up confusion in the fire alarm industry related to application of
the low-frequency audible alarm signal. It is ideally suited for installers, the fire service, building code
officials, end users, fire protection engineers, and electrical engineers.

Introduction
The majority of traditional fire or CO alarm notification appliances produce an audible signal with a
frequency range between 2 kHz and 4 kHz. The traditional integral sounders used in almost all smoke or
CO alarms also produce a 3 kHz audible alarm signal. By contrast, the low-frequency audible alarm
signal has a fundamental frequency of 520 Hz. Researchers have been testing the effectiveness of
various alarm signals and frequencies in waking various at-risk population subgroups. Much of this
research has been conducted by Dr. Dorothy Bruck and her colleague Ian Thomas at Australia’s Victoria
University. Their findings conclude that most unimpaired adults will normally awaken quickly to a 3 kHz
audible alarm signal, and the low-frequency signal is most effective at waking high-risk segments of the
population, such as people with hearing loss, the elderly, school-age children, and the alcohol impaired.

Important Statistics
Alarms and alarm systems provide life-saving value when occupants are awake, but their greatest benefit
might be when the occupants are asleep. This is illustrated in a 2010 U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)
1
study , which reports that 50% of fire fatalities in residential buildings occur between the hours of 10:00
2
p.m. and 6:00 a.m., when most people are sleeping. According to a 2008 study , most unimpaired adults
wake up quickly to the “standard” 2-4 kHz audible fire alarm signal, even at levels well below 75 dBA. But
13%of fire fatalities in residential buildings involve children younger than 10 years old, and 44% of fire
3
fatalities are adults between the ages of 40 and 69. Also, according to another study , there are more
than 34.5 million hearing-impaired people in the US.

Research on Waking Effectiveness of Audible Alarm Signals

For more than a decade, researchers have been testing the effectiveness of audible fire alarm signals at
waking various at-risk population groups. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Protection
Research Foundation has been instrumental in funding many of these studies. The 2008 report concludes
that most unimpaired adults will wake quickly to the sounding of their smoke alarm, even at levels well
below 75 dBA, the level at the pillow required by code. However, a number of groups might not wake as
quickly, including people over 65, the hearing impaired, the alcohol impaired, and children.

1
Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Fire Administration, Civilian Fire Fatalities in Residential
Buildings (2008-2010), Topical Fire Report Series, Vol. 13, No. 1, Emmitsburg, Maryland.
2
Ian R. Thomas and Dorothy Bruck, Awakening of Sleeping People: a Decade of Research (Melbourne,
Australia: Centre for Environmental Safety and Risk Engineering), 2008.
3
Ian R. Thomas and Dorothy Bruck, Waking Effectiveness of Alarms for Adults Who Are Hard of Hearing
(Melbourne, Australia: Victoria University), National Fire Protection Association, 2007.

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A series of tests was conducted with different groups of subjects. Variables included sound intensity (in
dB) and frequency (in Hz) of the alarm signal, as well as other stimuli, including voice, strobe lights, and
bed and pillow shakers. Each test was constructed differently, so the findings between them are not
directly comparable, but they were consistent over multiple studies. They showed the waking
effectiveness of the 520 Hz signal with appropriate harmonics, as explained in Underwriters Laboratories
LLC (UL) Product Standards section, was superior to that of the ”standard” alarm signal, as follows:

a) Six to ten times more effective at waking children.

b) Six to ten times more effective at waking young adults, both sober and with .05 blood alcohol
level.
c) Six times more effective at waking adults with hearing loss.

While a mother’s voice might be effective at waking a child, voice was not a universally successful
stimulus and presented particular problems for non–English-speaking participants.

More recent research, also by Dr. Bruck, with colleagues Chris Lykiardopoulos and Michelle Ball,
confirms similar results with “hypnotics” (i.e., sleep-inducing drugs). This work had not yet been published
at the time this white paper was published.

Low Frequency Requirements in NFPA 72, The National Fire Alarm and Signaling
Code, 2013 Edition
Chapter 18 covers notification appliances that are connected to a protected premises fire alarm system.
Effective January 1, 2014, section 18.4.5.3 requires that audible notification appliances installed in all
sleeping areas produce a low-frequency audible alarm signal. Chapter 29 covers single- and multiple-
station smoke alarms and household fire alarm systems. Unlike 18.4.5.3, section 29.3.8 requires a low-
frequency audible alarm signal in sleeping rooms and guest rooms only for those with mild to severe
hearing loss or where required by a local law or code. The effect of 29.3.8 is that when smoke alarms and
household fire alarm systems are installed in sleeping rooms, the low-frequency audible alarm signal is
required only when the person with the mild to severe hearing loss chooses it.

Low Frequency Requirements in NFPA 720, Standard for the Installation of

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment, 2015 Edition
NFPA 720 chapter 6 covers notification appliances connected to a protected premises CO detection
system. Effective January 1, 2015, audible appliances provided for the sleeping areas will be required to
produce a low-frequency audible alarm. The scope of chapter 9 covers “Single- and Multiple-Station
Alarms and Household Carbon Monoxide Detections Systems.” Section 9.4.2.2.1 requires a low-
frequency alarm signal in sleeping rooms and guest rooms only for those with mild to severe hearing loss.
The effect of 9.4.2.2.1 is that when CO alarms and household CO systems are installed in sleeping
rooms, the low-frequency audible alarm signal is required only when the person with the mild to severe
hearing loss chooses it.

Low Frequency Requirements in Underwriters Laboratories LLC (UL) Product

Standards
In April 2012, UL published revisions to ANSI/UL 464, Standard for Audible Signal Appliances, and
ANSI/UL 217, Standard for Single and Multiple Station Smoke Alarms, both of which contain new
performance requirements for the low-frequency signal. The signal is tested using audible spectral
analysis, which confirms that the odd harmonics (F1, F3, F5, and F7) adhere to specific minimum sound
level requirements. F1 (520 Hz) is required to produce the maximum sound pressure level (dB). Each
successive odd harmonic is required to produce the following:

a) at least 5 dB less than F1;

b) no less than 20 dB below F1 for the third harmonic;

© 2015 National Electrical Manufacturers Association

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c) no less than 30 dB below F1 for the fifth harmonic;

d) no less than 50 dB below F1 for the seventh harmonic (see figure below).

Audible notification appliances listed as complying with UL 464 must be marked with the words “low
frequency alarm” on the exterior housing. Smoke alarms that meet these requirements must be
permanently marked with the words “low frequency alarm.” These new requirements allow manufacturers
to design, manufacture, and list products for low frequency applications, while allowing installers and
code enforcement officials to easily identify low-frequency sounders by looking for these words on the
audible notification appliance or smoke alarm.

For Emergency Voice Evacuation Systems, speakers are not required to be marked, but a letter of
performance compliance is required from UL stating that the system amplifier, tone generator, and
specific speaker properly generate the required 520 Hz signal.

While UL 2034, Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms, does not currently
include the low frequency testing provision, CO alarms can be tested and listed to the low frequency
requirements in UL 217.

Installation Requirements
For installations that are designed to comply with section 18.4.5.3 of NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and
Signaling Code, 2013 Edition, or with section 6.4.4.3 of NFPA 720, Standard for the Installation of Carbon
Monoxide (CO) Warning Equipment, 2015 Edition, the low-frequency audible signal is required for
notification appliances installed in all sleeping units of hotels, motels, dormitories, and within dwelling
units of apartment buildings where there is a protected premises fire alarm system that activates the
building-wide occupant notification system. The low-frequency audible alarm signal is required to be
synchronized with other non–low-frequency audible fire alarm signals within each notification zone.
However, the low-frequency audible signal can be used throughout the protected premises.

The low-frequency audible signal is not required to be installed in hospital patient rooms, jail cells, or
other occupancies where the audible signal is not intended to wake sleeping people, because these
occupancies have trained staff who are responsible for waking people in the event of a fire or a CO leak.

For installations that are designed to comply with section 29.3.8 of NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and
Signaling Code, 2013 Edition, or with section 9.4.2.2 of NFPA 720, Standard for the Installation of Carbon
Monoxide (CO) Warning Equipment, 2015 Edition, the low-frequency audible signal applies to alarms,
alarm accessories, and household systems. The low-frequency signal can be provided voluntarily for
those with hearing loss or where required by local codes. The result is that occupants who provide their
own equipment can choose whether or not a low-frequency alarm signal is right for them.

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Field verification testing of the low-frequency audible alarm signal is not required, but visual confirmation
of the marking and compliance is necessary.

Power Considerations
Notification appliances that produce the low-frequency audible signal draw more current than the
traditional 2-4 kHz audible signal. Due to the comparatively high current draw of the low-frequency
sounder, accurate voltage drop calculations and power supply selection are critical to ensure adequate
current to the notification appliance circuit.

The higher current draw of the low-frequency signal has caused considerable challenges for smoke alarm
and CO alarm manufacturers. Consequently, at this time there are no smoke alarms or CO alarms with an
integral sounder that produces the low-frequency audible signal. However, there are listed alarm
accessory devices that provide the low-frequency audible fire alarm signal.

NFPA Standards Impact on Model Codes

Section 907.2 in the 2012 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC) and International Building Code
(IBC) requires a fire alarm system to be installed in new buildings in accordance with NFPA 72 to provide
occupant notification in accordance with section 907.5 of the IFC/IBC. The basic purpose of a fire alarm
system is to alert all occupants in a building. Section 907.5 requires activation of a fire alarm system to
send a signal to the control unit and then provide occupant notification throughout all occupied areas of a
building, including both common and tenant spaces. Common spaces are the corridors, lobbies, or
meeting rooms. Tenant spaces are dwelling units within apartment buildings, guest rooms of hotels, or
dormitory sleeping rooms.

NFPA 72 and section 907.2 of the IFC/IBC do not apply retroactively to existing systems. However, there
are situations when the Authority Having Jurisdiction might require an existing system to be brought up to
current code requirements even though the system still meets the minimum code requirements of the
version in effect at the time of the original installation.

The 2010 edition of NFPA 72 is referenced in chapter 80 of the IFC and chapter 35 of the IBC. NFPA 72
section 18.4.5.3 requires the low-frequency signal to wake sleeping people in all occupancies having a
protected premises fire alarm system.

Section R314 in the 2012 edition of the International Residential Code (IRC) does not require low
frequency notification in one- and two-family dwellings beyond the requirements of NFPA 72 or NFPA
720, which stipulate the notification be provided when occupants self-identify.

Product Solutions
NEMA member companies provide numerous product solutions for designers and installers who need to
comply with the low-frequency audible alarm requirements. Below are product solutions for installations
that are designed to comply with section 18.4.5.3 of NFPA 72, 2013 Edition, or with section 6.4.4.3 of
NFPA 720, 2015 Edition:

a) Horns and horn/strobes that provide the low-frequency audible fire alarm signal;
b) Smoke and CO detectors with integral sounder bases that provide the low-frequency audible
fire alarm signal;
c) Emergency Voice Alarm Communication (EVAC) systems that provide a low-frequency pre-
alert audible fire alarm signal.

Below are product solutions for installations that are designed to comply with section 29.3.8 of NFPA 72,
2013 Edition, or with section 9.4.2.2 of NFPA 720, 2015 Edition:

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a) Household fire alarm and CO systems that provide the low-frequency audible fire alarm
signal.
b) At this time there are no smoke or CO alarms that provide the low-frequency audible fire
alarm signal. However, there are listed alarm accessory devices that provide the low-
frequency audible fire alarm signal. These accessory devices are not required to be labeled
for low frequency application.

Conclusion
Research has shown that the low-frequency audible alarm signal is more effective than the standard
alarm signal at waking children, young adults, those over 65 years old, and adults with mild to moderately
severe hearing loss. Responding to this research, new requirements have been incorporated into most of
the applicable U.S. consensus codes and standards. NFPA has added requirements for low-frequency
audible alarm signals in certain sleeping areas. New UL requirements have been developed to allow
testing for this signal for audible notification appliances and single- and multiple-station smoke alarms.
The International Fire Code and the International Building Code require the low-frequency signal by
referencing the requirements in NFPA 72 and NFPA 720. This notification is allowed, but not required, by
the International Residential Code, via reference to NFPA 72 and 720.

Looking to the Future

At this time, approximately 13 states and many cities have adopted the 2012 edition of the IFC or the IBC.
That means there are 37 states that are not enforcing the new low frequency requirements. The number
of states requiring the low-frequency audible signal will increase in the next three to five years as more
states adopt newer versions of the I-codes. In order to enhance the safety of high-risk population
segments, it is essential for states or jurisdictions to adopt the 2012 edition of the IFC or the IBC.

© 2015 National Electrical Manufacturers Association

NATIONAL ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
1300 NORTH 17TH STREET, SUITE 900 • ROSSLYN. VA 22209
www.NEMA.org

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