ISO 7240-23:2013

Fire detection and alarm systems — Part 23: Visual alarm devices

ISO 7240-23:2013 specifies the requirements, test methods and performance criteria for visual alarm devices in a fixed installation intended to signal a visual warning of a fire between a fire detection and alarm system and occupants in and around buildings. ISO 7240-23:2013 specifies visual alarm devices for three types of application environment. It is only applicable to pulsing or flashing visual alarm devices, for example xenon beacons or rotating beacons. It is not applicable to devices giving continuous light output. ISO 7240-23:2013 is not intended to cover visual indicators, for example, on detectors or on the control and indicating equipment.

Systèmes de détection et d'alarme d'incendie — Partie 23: Dispositifs d'alarme visuels

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 02-Jan-2013
• ICS: 13.220.20 - Fire protection
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 21/SC 3 - Fire detection and alarm systems
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 21/SC 3 - Fire detection and alarm systems
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Due Date: 10-Mar-2025
• Completion Date: 10-Mar-2025

Standards Content (Sample)

DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/DIS 7240-23
ISO/TC 21/SC 3 Secretariat: SA
Voting begins on Voting terminates on

2011-03-28 2011-08-28
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION  •  МЕЖДУНАРОДНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ПО СТАНДАРТИЗАЦИИ  •  ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE DE NORMALISATION

Fire detection and alarm systems —
Part 23:
Visual alarm devices
Systèmes de détection et d'alarme d'incendie —
Partie 23: Dispositifs d'alarme visuels
ICS 13.220.20
In accordance with the provisions of Council Resolution 15/1993 this document is circulated in
the English language only.
Conformément aux dispositions de la Résolution du Conseil 15/1993, ce document est distribué
en version anglaise seulement.

To expedite distribution, this document is circulated as received from the committee
secretariat. ISO Central Secretariat work of editing and text composition will be undertaken at
publication stage.
Pour accélérer la distribution, le présent document est distribué tel qu'il est parvenu du
secrétariat du comité. Le travail de rédaction et de composition de texte sera effectué au
Secrétariat central de l'ISO au stade de publication.

THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED FOR COMMENT AND APPROVAL. IT IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY NOT BE
REFERRED TO AS AN INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES,
DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL TO BECOME
STANDARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH
THEY ARE AWARE AND TO PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
©  International Organization for Standardization, 2011

ISO/DIS 7240-23
Copyright notice
This ISO document is a Draft International Standard and is copyright-protected by ISO. Except as permitted
under the applicable laws of the user’s country, neither this ISO draft nor any extract from it may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission being secured.
Requests for permission to reproduce should be addressed to either ISO at the address below or ISO’s
member body in the country of the requester.
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Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail [e-mail]
Web www.iso.org
Reproduction may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement.
Violators may be prosecuted.
ii © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

ISO/DIS 7240-23.2
Contents Page
Foreword . iv
Introduction . vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations . 2
3.1 Definitions . 2
3.2 Abbreviations . 3
4 Requirements . 3
4.1 Compliance. 3
4.2 Device category . 3
4.3 Minimum and maximum effective light intensity . 4
4.4 Light colour . 4
4.5 Light pattern and frequency of flashing . 4
4.6 Durability . 4
4.7 Construction . 5
4.8 Manufacturer's adjustments . 5
4.9 On-site adjustment of mode or behaviour . 5
4.10 Marking and data . 6
4.11 Additional requirements for software controlled v.a.d.s . 7
4.12 Synchronization — Optional function . 8
5 Tests . 9
5.1 General . 9
5.2 Reproducibility . 12
5.3 Variation of effective luminous intensity . 12
5.4 Operational performance . 12
5.5 Durability . 13
5.6 Dry heat (operational) . 13
5.7 Dry heat (endurance) . 15
5.8 Cold (operational) . 15
5.9 Damp heat, cyclic (operational) . 17
5.10 Damp heat, steady state (endurance) . 18
5.11 Damp heat, cyclic (endurance) . 19
5.12 Sulphur dioxide (SO2) corrosion (endurance) . 20
5.13 Shock (operational). 21
5.14 Impact (operational) . 22
5.15 Vibration, sinusoidal, (operational) . 23
5.16 Vibration, sinusoidal (endurance) . 24
5.17 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), immunity (operational) . 25
5.18 Enclosure protection . 26
5.19 Flash synchronisation testing (optional function) . 27
6 Test report . 29
Annex A (normative) Method for measuring the light distribution from a v.a.d. . 31
Annex B (normative) Comparative light output level measurement for v.a.d.s . 38
Annex C (informative) Construction of the light test chamber and associated equipment for
comparative measurements . 40
Annex D (informative) Comparison of flammability test requirements . 42

ISO/DIS 7240-23.2
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 7240-23 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 21, Equipment for fire protection and fire fighting,
Subcommittee SC 3, Fire detection and alarm systems.
This second/third/. edition cancels and replaces the first/second/. edition (), [clause(s) / subclause(s) /
table(s) / figure(s) / annex(es)] of which [has / have] been technically revised.
ISO 7240 consists of the following parts, under the general title Fire detection and alarm systems:
 Part 23: Visual alarm devices
 Part [n]:
 Part [n+1]:
 Part 23: Visual alarm devices
 Part [n]:
 Part [n+1]:
 Part 1: General and definitions
 Part 2: Control and indicating equipment
 Part 3: Audible alarm devices
 Part 4: Power supply equipment
 Part 5: Point type heat detectors
 Part 6: Carbon monoxide fire detectors using electro-chemical cells
 Part 7: Point type smoke detectors using scattered light, transmitted light or ionization
 Part 8: Carbon monoxide fire detectors using an electro-chemical cell in combination with a heat sensor
iv © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

ISO/DIS 7240-23.2
 Part 9: Test fires for fire detectors [Technical report]
 Part 10: Point type flame detectors
 Part 11: Manual call points
 Part 12: Line type smoke detectors using a transmitted light beam
 Part 13: Compatibility assessment of system components
 Part 14: Guidelines for drafting Codes of Practice for design, installation and use of fire detection and fire
alarm systems in and around buildings [Technical report]
 Part 15: Point type fire detectors using scattered light, transmitted light or ionization sensors in
combination with a heat sensor
 Part 16: Sound system control and indicating equipment
 Part 17: Short-circuit isolators
 Part 18: Input/output devices
 Part 19: Design, installation, commissioning and service of sound systems for emergency purposes
 Part 21: Routing equipment
 Part 22: Smoke detection equipment for ducts
 Part 23: Visual alarm devices
 Part 24: Sound system loudspeakers
 Part 25: Components using radio links
 Part 27: Carbon monoxide fire detectors using optical or ionization smoke sensors, electrochemical cell
carbon monoxide sensors and heat sensors
 Part 28: Fire protection control equipment
ISO/DIS 7240-23.2
Introduction
The purpose of a visual fire alarm device is to warn person(s) within, or in the vicinity of, a building of the
occurrence of a fire emergency in order to enable such person(s) to take appropriate measures.
This part of ISO 7240 allows manufacturers to specify visual alarm devices in terms of the range at which the
required illumination is met. Three categories of device are defined, one for ceiling mounted devices, one for
wall mounted devices and an open category. The maximum range of the visual alarm device is tested by
measuring the light output in a hemisphere surrounding it to determine its light distribution. As the light output
of some visual alarm devices can change over time due, for example, to the effect of self-heating, a specific
test checks that the variation of light output over time is within acceptable limits.
This part of ISO 7240 gives common requirements for the construction and robustness of visual alarm devices
as well as for their performance under climatic, mechanical and electrical interference conditions which are
likely to occur in the service environment. Visual alarm devices can be classified in one of two application
environment types.
vi © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/DIS 7240-23.2

Fire detection and alarm systems —
Part 23:
Visual alarm devices
1 Scope
This part of ISO 7240 specifies the requirements, test methods and performance criteria for visual alarm
devices in a fixed insta
...

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 7240-23
First edition
2013-01-15
Fire detection and alarm systems —
Part 23:
Visual alarm devices
Systèmes de détection et d’alarme d’incendie —
Partie 23: Dispositifs d’alarme visuels
Reference number
©
ISO 2013
© ISO 2013
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the
address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail [e-mail]
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations . 2
3.1 Terms and definitions . 2
3.2 Abbreviations . 3
4 Requirements . 3
4.1 Compliance . 3
4.2 Device class . 3
4.3 Minimum and maximum effective light intensity . 4
4.4 Light colour . 4
4.5 Light pattern and frequency of flashing . 4
4.6 Durability . 4
4.7 Construction . 4
4.8 Manufacturer’s adjustments . 5
4.9 On-site adjustment of mode or behaviour . 5
4.10 Marking and data . 5
4.11 Additional requirements for software controlled visual alarm devices . 7
4.12 Synchronization — Optional function . 8
5 Tests . 8
5.1 General . 8
5.2 Reproducibility .10
5.3 Variation of effective luminous intensity.11
5.4 Operational performance.11
5.5 Durability .12
5.6 Dry heat (operational) .12
5.7 Dry heat (endurance) .13
5.8 Cold (operational) .14
5.9 Damp heat, cyclic (operational) .15
5.10 Damp heat, steady-state (endurance) .16
5.11 Damp heat, cyclic (endurance) .17
5.12 Sulfur dioxide (SO ) corrosion (endurance) .18
5.13 Shock (operational) .19
5.14 Impact (operational) .20
5.15 Vibration, sinusoidal (operational) .21
5.16 Vibration, sinusoidal (endurance) .22
5.17 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), immunity (operational) .23
5.18 Enclosure protection .24
5.19 Flash synchronisation testing (optional function) .26
6 Test report .27
Annex A (normative) Method for measuring the light distribution from a visual alarm device .29
Annex B (normative) Comparative light output level measurement for visual alarm devices .36
Annex C (informative) Construction of the light test chamber and associated equipment for
comparative measurements .38
Annex D (informative) Comparison of flammability test requirements .40
Bibliography .42
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International
Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies
casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 7240-23 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 21, Equipment for fire protection and fire
fighting, Subcommittee SC 3, Fire detection and alarm systems.
ISO 7240 consists of the following parts, under the general title Fire detection and alarm systems:
— Part 1: General and definitions
— Part 2: Control and indicating equipment
— Part 3: Audible alarm devices
— Part 4: Power supply equipment
— Part 5: Point-type heat detectors
— Part 6: Carbon monoxide fire detectors using electro-chemical cells
— Part 7: Point-type smoke detectors using scattered light, transmitted light or ionization
— Part 8: Carbon monoxide fire detectors using an electro-chemical cell in combination with a heat sensor
— Part 9: Test fires for fire detectors [Technical Specification]
— Part 10: Point-type flame detectors
— Part 11: Manual call points
— Part 12: Line type smoke detectors using a transmitted optical beam
— Part 13: Compatibility assessment of system components
— Part 14: Guidelines for drafting codes of practice for design, installation and use of fire detection and fire
alarm systems in and around buildings [Technical Report]
— Part 15: Point type fire detectors using scattered light, transmitted light or ionization sensors in
combination with a heat sensor
— Part 16: Sound system control and indicating equipment
— Part 17: Short-circuit isolators
— Part 18: Input/output devices
iv © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

— Part 19: Design, installation, commissioning and service of sound systems for emergency purposes
— Part 21: Routing equipment
— Part 22: Smoke detection equipment for ducts
— Part 23: Visual alarm devices
— Part 24: Sound-system loudspeakers
— Part 25: Components using radio transmission paths
— Part 27: Point-type fire detectors using scattered-light, transmitted-light or ionization smoke sensor, an
electrochemical cell carbon-monoxide sensor and a heat sensor
— Part 28: Fire protection control equipment
Introduction
The purpose of a visual fire alarm device is to warn person(s) within, or in the vicinity of, a building of
the occurrence of a fire emergency in order to enable such person(s) to take appropriate measures.
This part of ISO 7240 allows manufacturers to specify visual alarm devices in terms of the range at
which the required illumination is met. Three classes of device are defined, one for ceiling mounted
devices, one for wall mounted devices and an open class. The maximum range of the visual alarm device
is tested by measuring the light output in a part of the hemisphere surrounding it to determine its light
distribution. As the light output of some visual alarm devices can change over time due, for example,
to the effect of self-heating, a specific test checks that the variation of light output over time is within
acceptable limits.
This part of ISO 7240 gives common requirements for the construction and robustness of visual
alarm devices as well as for their performance under climatic, mechanical and electrical interference
conditions which are likely to occur in the service environment. Visual alarm devices can be classified
in one of three application environment types.
vi © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 7240-23:2013(E)
Fire detection and alarm systems —
Part 23:
Visual alarm devices
1 Scope
This part of ISO 7240 specifies the requirements, test methods and performance criteria for visual alarm
devices in a fixed installation intended to signal a visual warning of a fire between a fire detection and
alarm system and occupants in and around buil
...