- External Alarm Indicator ("EAI")
An external alarm indicator (EAI), also known as an external alarm indication device is a weather-resistant visual alarm device (VAD) installed on the exterior façade of a building to indicate the location and direct attending emergency services personnel to the Designated Building Entry Point (DBEP) during an active fire alarm condition.
An external alarm indicator should be mounted as close as practicable to the designated building entry point but no further than 10 meters.
An external alarm indicator must;
- be active for the duration of an active fire alarm signal at the fire alarm control panel;
- be mounted as close as apossible and no more than 10m from the designated building entry point.
- flash red and be visible from the fire appliance approaching from at least two directions;
- have a minimum rating of W3–7.51;
- be mounted with a sign with the words “FIRE” in white capital letters on a red background. The lettering height shall not be less than 50mm using a bold sans-serif font2;
- the colour and material of the sign shall be weather and fade resistant;
- the signal transmission path must be monitored at the fire detection control and indicating equipment (Cl 3.25p).
- 1
The rating "W3–7.5" is a standardised performance classification code for a Visual Alarm Device (VAD that defines the device's mounting orientation (wall, ceiling or open), maximum installation height (meters), and visual coverage area (visual range in meters).
- 2
In typography a sans-serif font is one where individual letters do not feature small decorative projections, feet, or cross-lines, known as "serifs" at the structural ends of their strokes. Common examples include Arial and Helvetica.