Compliant with the National Building Regulations?

Issue 5 2023 Fire & Safety

More insurance companies are rejecting claims for structural damage sustained as a direct result of non-compliance to the Building Regulations and Building Standards Acts. In addition, there is the added possibility of civil claims if individuals are injured or regrettably killed due to the disregard of regulations.

Multiple national and international standards and regulations are in place to prescribe the necessary safety measures that should be implemented by a building owner in order to ensure the safety of the property, staff and the public. For instance, SANS10400 includes regulations for both Fire Detection and Voice Alarm Systems in buildings with specific characteristics and types of occupancy, including (but not limited to) hospitals, educational facilities, dormitories, detention facilities, offices, hotels, shops and museums.

In addition to a fire detection system, it is critical to have a compliant voice alarm system installed in order to inform people in the building of threats and to guide them to safety in the fastest, most effective and well-organised manner possible. It is equally important to have an emergency communication system (fire telephones/disabled refuge system) for members of the public and fire marshals, enabling dependable communication with control rooms and fire services in the event of an emergency. This also enables someone trapped in an isolated area to call for help if they are unable to evacuate by themselves.

TOA manufactures a wide range of EN-54-Certified voice alarm systems and audio speakers, and we are distributors for Eaton VoCALL fire telephone/disabled refuge systems. It is able to provide relevant information on existing systems, or design a new system, in accordance with the applicable regulatory standards upon request.

For more information, contact TOA Electronics Southern Africa, +27 11 608 1477, sales@toasa.co.za, www.toa.co.za




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Blazing trails for solutions and networking
Securex South Africa News & Events Fire & Safety
Firexpo 2024 again proved that there is a pressing need to bring together suppliers/manufacturers of fire safety solutions and representatives from the market who wish to increase their fire risk mitigation profile.

Read more...
How to prevent and survive fires
Fire & Safety Security Services & Risk Management
Since its launch in August 2023, Fidelity SecureFire, a division of the Fidelity Services Group, has been making significant strides in revolutionising fire response services in South Africa.

Read more...
Spate of Joburg fires calls for proactive fire-safety planning
Fire & Safety
The incident of fire that occurred recently in Johannesburg's Central Business District (CBD) has brought to light the criticality of performance-based fire safety systems. It is imperative to design safety systems that are efficient and effective in managing such unforeseen events.

Read more...
Beagle Watch adds fire to its portfolio
Editor's Choice Fire & Safety News & Events
Beagle Watch Armed Response and FIRE OPS SA announced the enhancement of the two companies' combined service offerings to provide professional fire safety services to Beagle Watch clients and Johannesburg residents.

Read more...
Different types of fires
Fire & Safety
Fire is a powerful force of nature; according to SafeQuip, a distributor of fire-related equipment; understanding the different types of fires and how to combat them is essential for safety and protection.

Read more...
SafeQuip introduces lithium fire extinguishers
Fire & Safety Products & Solutions
With the use of Lithium batteries increasing in many types of portable devices and battery storage solutions, SafeQuip, in partnership with AVD Lithex, is introducing a fire extinguisher aimed at suppressing and extinguishing, and also preventing re-ignition of lithium fires.

Read more...
Modern warehouses come with added fire risk
Fire & Safety Transport (Industry)
Along with increased investments in modern warehousing in Africa, there is also a need to focus on protecting warehouses from crime, however, fire can arguably be a greater danger to business continuity.

Read more...
How to prevent solar inverter short-circuits and fires
Fire & Safety
With many South Africans installing inverters as part of solar power systems to mitigate the impact of load shedding in homes and at businesses, users need to be aware of the potential fire risks.

Read more...
Fidelity SecureFire steps into critical fire response space
News & Events Fire & Safety
With the majority of fire stations around the country being crippled by a lack of resources to offer effective responses, Fidelity Fire Solutions has launched its own ‘first responder’ model, Fidelity SecureFire.

Read more...
Long-distance connectivity with Simplex ES Net Life Safety
Johnson Controls Global Products Fire & Safety Products & Solutions
ES Net Network Bridge allows fire alarm system data to be transmitted across distant buildings via a customer’s existing network infrastructure, improving system-wide monitoring and control in facilities and campuses where life safety networks are often widely dispersed.

Read more...