Sounder Bases Meet New NFPA Requirements for Sleeping Spaces

The System Sensor SpectrAlert Advance line of low frequency notification appliances – which includes sounders, sounder strobes, and sounder bases – is designed to meet the NFPA 72® sleeping space requirements that went into effect January 1, 2014.

"For people living in states and regions that have adopted the 2010 or 2013 edition of NFPA 72, all sleeping spaces will be required to utilize an audible device that produces a square wave low frequency tone centered around 520 Hz effective January 1, 2014," says Rebecca Peterson, System Sensor Sr. Product Marketing Manager. "Many of our customers are wondering how they are going to meet this requirement. Our SpectrAlert Advance low frequency notification appliances have them covered."

Why the change to the code? "Studies have shown that a lower frequency is more effective at waking sleeping individuals, including individuals with mild-to-severe hearing loss, when compared to the 3 Kilohertz tone found in residential smoke alarms," continues Peterson. "We see these devices being used most often in spaces like hotel rooms, dormitories, assisted living facilities, apartments, and condominiums, just to name a few."

The first low frequency sounders and sounder strobes on the market that integrate directly with fire alarm control panels, these notification appliances include all the same features and benefits as the rest of the market-leading SpectrAlert Advance line, including a plug-in design and onboard shorting spring that simplifies installation and reduces costly ground faults. The Low Frequency Sounder bases meet the NFPA72® 2010/2013 low frequency requirements as well as the new NFPA 720® 2012 carbon monoxide low frequency requirements, effective January 1, 2015.

Learn more at systemsensor.com/lowfrequency.

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