Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of evacuation alert systems for use by fire and rescue services in buildings containing flats
Overview
What is BS 8629 - Evacuation system code of practice about?  
BS 8629  is a new British Standard that provides guidance on how to install a communication system that advises residents of flats to evacuate. 
BS 8629  gives recommendations for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of evacuation alert systems for use by the fire and rescue service in buildings containing flats. 
The evacuation alert systems covered by BS 8629 comprise evacuation alert control and indicating equipment (EACIE), which incorporates manual controls by which evacuation alert sounders within each flat can be operated by the fire and rescue service. 
Note: BS 8629 does not recommend whether or not an evacuation alert system is to be installed in any given building. 
Who is BS 8629 - Evacuation system code of practice for? 
BS 8629 on evacuation alert systems is useful for:  
Fire and rescue services  
Manufacturers of evacuation alert systems 
Building managers 
Why should you use BS 8629 - Evacuation system code of practice?  
Not to be confused with fire detection and alarm systems, evacuation alert systems are for use by the fire and rescue service only, which may, in the course of managing a fire incident, want residents to evacuate sections of a floor (in a large building), individual floors, or the entire building. Using an evacuation alert system, residents can be directed to evacuate via alarms sounded in each flat.   
BS 8629 makes recommendations on the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of evacuation alert systems for use by the fire and rescue service in buildings containing flats. 
The objective of BS 8629 is to provide a reliable and effective tool to assist in the evacuation of a building containing flats in whatever manner is considered appropriate by fire and rescue service operational commanders