SIST EN ISO 7731:2006

Ergonomics - Danger signals for public and work areas - Auditory danger signals (ISO 7731:2003)

This International Standard specifies the physical principles of  design, ergonomic requirements and the corresponding test  methods for danger signals for public and work areas in the  signal reception area and gives guidelines for the design of the  signals. It may also be applied to other appropriate situations.  The relevance given in the definitions as to the difference  between an auditory emergency signal, auditory emergency  evacuation signal and an auditory warning signal should be  noted. The emergency evacuation signal is covered in ISO  8201. This International Standard does not apply to verbal  danger warnings (e.g. shouts, loudspeaker announcements).  ISO 9921 covers verbal danger signals. Special regulations  such as those for a public disaster and public transport are not  affected by this International Standard.

Ergonomie - Gefahrensignale für öffentliche Bereiche und Arbeitsstätten - Akustische Gefahrensignale (ISO 7731:2003)

Diese Internationale Norm legt die physikalischen Grundsätze der Gestaltung, ergonomische Anforderungen und die entsprechenden Prüfverfahren für Gefahrensignale für öffentliche Bereiche und Arbeitsstätten im Signalempfangsbereich fest und enthält Anleitungen für die Gestaltung der Signale. Sie kann auch auf weitere geeignete Situationen angewendet werden.
Die in den Definitionen angegebenen Unterschiede zwischen einem akustischen Notsignal, einem akustischen Notsignal für Räumung und einem akustischen Warnsignal sind zu beachten. Das Notsignal für Räumung wird in ISO 8201 behandelt.
Diese Internationale Norm gilt nicht für Gefahrenhinweise im Rahmen sprachlicher Verständigung (z. B. Zurufe, Lautsprecherdurchsagen). Mündlich gegebene Gefahrensignale werden in ISO 9921 behandelt.
Besondere Regelungen wie für den öffentlichen Katastrophenschutz und öffentlichen Verkehr bleiben von dieser Internationalen Norm unberührt.

Ergonomie - Signaux de danger pour lieux publics et lieux de travail - Signaux de danger auditifs (ISO 7731:2003)

Ergonomija – Signali za nevarnost na javnih in delovnih mestih – Zvočni signali za nevarnost (ISO 7731:2003)

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2006
• Withdrawal Date: 23-Oct-2008
• ICS: 13.180 - Ergonomics
• ICS: 13.320 - Alarm and warning systems
• Technical Committee: VSN - Safety of machinery
• Current Stage: 9900 - Withdrawal (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 22-Oct-2008
• Due Date: 14-Nov-2008
• Completion Date: 24-Oct-2008
• Directive: 98/37/EC - Machinery
• Mandate: M/079 - Mandate to CEN and CENELEC for standardization in the field of machines
• Ref Project: EN ISO 7731:2005 - Ergonomics - Danger signals for public and work areas - Auditory danger signals (ISO 7731:2003)

RELATIONS

• Replaces: SIST EN 457:1998 - Safety of machinery - Auditory danger signals - General requirements, design and testing (ISO 7731:1986, modified)
• Effective Date: 22-Dec-2008
• Replaced By: SIST EN ISO 7731:2008 - Ergonomics - Danger signals for public and work areas - Auditory danger signals (ISO 7731:2003)
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2008

Standards Content (sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN ISO 7731:2006
01-marec-2006
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 457:1998

(UJRQRPLMD±6LJQDOL]DQHYDUQRVWQDMDYQLKLQGHORYQLKPHVWLK±=YRþQLVLJQDOL]D

QHYDUQRVW,62

Ergonomics - Danger signals for public and work areas - Auditory danger signals (ISO

7731:2003)

Ergonomie - Gefahrensignale für öffentliche Bereiche und Arbeitsstätten - Akustische

Gefahrensignale (ISO 7731:2003)

Ergonomie - Signaux de danger pour lieux publics et lieux de travail - Signaux de danger

auditifs (ISO 7731:2003)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 7731:2005
ICS:
13.180 Ergonomija Ergonomics
13.320 Alarmni in opozorilni sistemi Alarm and warning systems
SIST EN ISO 7731:2006 en

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 7731
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
September 2005
ICS 13.320; 13.180 Supersedes EN 457:1992
English Version
Ergonomics - Danger signals for public and work areas -
Auditory danger signals (ISO 7731:2003)

Ergonomie - Signaux de danger pour lieux publics et lieux Ergonomie - Gefahrensignale für öffentliche Bereiche und

de travail - Signaux de danger auditifs (ISO 7731:2003) Arbeitsstätten - Akustische Gefahrensignale (ISO

7731:2003)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 2 September 2005.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European

Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national

standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation

under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official

versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,

Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,

Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels

© 2005 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 7731:2005: E

worldwide for CEN national Members.
---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
EN ISO 7731:2005 (E)
Foreword
The text of ISO 7731:2003 has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159

"Ergonomics” of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and has been taken

over as EN ISO 7731:2005 by Technical Committee CEN/TC 122 "Ergonomics", the secretariat

of which is held by DIN.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of

an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by March 2006, and conflicting national

standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by March 2006.
This document supersedes EN 457:1992.

This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission

and the European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU

Directive(s).

For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this

document.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of

the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium,

Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,

Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,

Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice

The text of ISO 7731:2003 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 7731:2005 without any

modifications.
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EN ISO 7731:2005 (E)
ANNEX ZA
(informative)
Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential
Requirements of EU Directive 98/37 EEC

This European Standard has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European

Commission and the European Free Trade Association to provide a means of conforming to

Essential Requirements of the New Approach Directive 98/37 EEC, amended by 98/79/EEC.

Once this standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Communities under that

Directive and has been implemented as a national standard in at least one Member State,

compliance with the normative clauses of this standard confers, within the limits of the scope of

this standard, a presumption of conformity with the corresponding Essential Requirements of

that Directive and associated EFTA regulations.

WARNING: Other requirements and other EU Directives may be applicable to the product(s)

falling within the scope of this standard.
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INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 7731
Second edition
2003-11-01
Ergonomics — Danger signals for public
and work areas — Auditory danger
signals
Ergonomie — Signaux de danger pour lieux publics et lieux
de travail — Signaux de danger auditifs
Reference number
ISO 7731:2003(E)
ISO 2003
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ISO 7731:2003(E)
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© ISO 2003

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.
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ii © ISO 2003 — All rights reserved
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ISO 7731:2003(E)
Contents Page

Foreword............................................................................................................................................................ iv

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ v

1 Scope...................................................................................................................................................... 1

2 Normative references ........................................................................................................................... 1

3 Terms, definitions and symbols .......................................................................................................... 1

4 Safety requirements.............................................................................................................................. 3

4.1 General................................................................................................................................................... 3

4.2 Recognition ........................................................................................................................................... 3

4.2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 3

4.2.2 Audibility................................................................................................................................................ 3

4.2.3 Distinctiveness...................................................................................................................................... 3

4.2.4 Unambiguity .......................................................................................................................................... 3

4.2.5 Moving sources..................................................................................................................................... 3

4.3 Review of the signal.............................................................................................................................. 4

4.4 Recommended maximum level of the danger signal ........................................................................ 4

5 Test methods......................................................................................................................................... 4

5.1 Measurement equipment...................................................................................................................... 4

5.2 Objective acoustic measurements...................................................................................................... 4

5.2.1 General................................................................................................................................................... 4

5.2.2 Weighted measurements...................................................................................................................... 4

5.2.3 Measurements made in the frequency domain.................................................................................. 4

5.2.4 Measurement of the auditory signal with ambient noise present.................................................... 5

5.3 Subjective test method......................................................................................................................... 5

6 Design criteria for auditory danger signals........................................................................................ 5

6.1 General................................................................................................................................................... 5

6.2 Sound-pressure level............................................................................................................................ 5

6.3 Spectral characteristics........................................................................................................................ 6

6.4 Temporal characteristics...................................................................................................................... 6

6.4.1 Temporal distribution of the danger signal........................................................................................ 6

6.4.2 Temporal distribution of the frequencies ........................................................................................... 6

6.4.3 Duration of the danger signals ............................................................................................................ 7

6.5 Information required from suppliers................................................................................................... 7

Annex A (normative) Definitions of symbols................................................................................................... 8

Annex B (normative) Calculation of effective masked threshold.................................................................. 9

Annex C (normative) Listening test................................................................................................................10

Annex D (informative) Examples of danger signals...................................................................................... 11

Bibliography ..................................................................................................................................................... 17

© ISO 2003 — All rights reserved iii
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ISO 7731:2003(E)
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 7731 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159, Ergonomics, Subcommittee SC 5, Ergonomics

of the physical environment.

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 7731:1986), which has been technically revised.

iv © ISO 2003 — All rights reserved
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ISO 7731:2003(E)
Introduction

This International Standard specifies criteria applicable to the recognition of auditory danger signals,

especially in cases where there is a high level of ambient noise. It covers auditory danger signals, desigated in

the text of this standard by the use of the phrase “danger signals”, which apply to emergency signals and

warning signals (see Table 1).

Auditory danger signals can also be found in the following International Standards:

 ISO 8201 dealing with emergency evacuation signals;
 ISO 11429 dealing with auditory and visual danger signals.
Various types of danger signals and their responses are described in Table 1.
It should be noted that ISO 11429 covers this subject in greater detail.
Table 1 — Various types of danger signals
Type of danger signal Response
Auditory emergency evacuation signal Leave the danger zone immediately
Auditory emergency signal Take urgent action for rescue or protection
Auditory warning signal Take preventative or preparatory action

Correctly designed signals can reliably call attention to a hazard or a dangerous situation, even when hearing

protection is worn, without causing fright.
© ISO 2003 — All rights reserved v
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 7731:2003(E)
Ergonomics — Danger signals for public and work areas —
Auditory danger signals
1 Scope

This International Standard specifies the physical principles of design, ergonomic requirements and the

corresponding test methods for danger signals for public and work areas in the signal reception area and

gives guidelines for the design of the signals. It may also be applied to other appropriate situations.

The relevance given in the definitions as to the difference between an auditory emergency signal, auditory

emergency evacuation signal and an auditory warning signal should be noted. The emergency evacuation

signal is covered in ISO 8201.

This International Standard does not apply to verbal danger warnings (e.g. shouts, loudspeaker

announcements). ISO 9921 covers verbal danger signals.

Special regulations such as those for a public disaster and public transport are not affected by this

International Standard.
2 Normative references

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated

references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced

document (including any amendments) applies.
IEC 61260, Electroacoustics — Octave-band and fractional-octave-band filters
3 Terms, definitions and symbols
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

NOTE Definitions of symbols referred to in this International Standard are given in Annex A.

3.1
ambient noise

all sounds in the signal reception area not produced by the danger-signal transmitter

3.2
danger signals

depending on the degree of urgency and the possible effect of the danger on people, a distinction is made

between three types of auditory danger signals: an auditory emergency signal, an auditory emergency

evacuation signal and an auditory warning signal
3.2.1
auditory emergency signal

signal marking the onset and, if necessary, the duration and the end of a dangerous situation

© ISO 2003 — All rights reserved 1
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ISO 7731:2003(E)
3.2.2
auditory emergency evacuation signal

signal indicating the beginning or the actual occurrence of an emergency involving the possibility of injury and

instructing the person(s) to immediately leave the danger zone in the recognized manner

NOTE The auditory emergency evacuation signal is the subject of ISO 8201.
3.2.3
auditory warning signal

signal indicating the possibility or actual occurrence of a dangerous situation requiring appropriate measures

for the elimination or control of the danger

NOTE The auditory warning signal may also provide information concerning the conduct and courses of action to be

taken.
3.3
effective masked threshold

level of auditory danger signal just audible over the ambient noise, taking account of the acoustic parameters

of both the ambient noise in the signal reception area and the listening deficiencies (hearing protection,

hearing loss and other masking effects)
3.4
octave
bandwidth of a filter which comprises a frequency range of a factor of two

NOTE That is to say, the cut-off frequency f is twice the lower f as specified in IEC 61260; e.g. for an octave-band

2 1

centred on 500 Hz, the lower frequency is 353 Hz ( 500 / 2 ), the upper frequency is 707 Hz ( 500 2 ).

3.5
1/3 octave
fractional-octave-band filter
bandwidth of a filter which comprises a frequency range of a factor of 2
3 3

NOTE 1 That is to say, the cut-off frequency f is 2 times the lower f (i.e. f = 2 f as specified in IEC 61260).

2 1 2 1

NOTE 2 A bandpass filter has a narrower frequency range than an octave filter. The octave filter can be subdivided into

three 1/3 octave-bands.
3.6
reverberation time

time interval required for the sound-pressure level to decrease by 60 dB, after the emission by the source is

stopped
3.7
signal reception area
area in which persons are intended to recognize and react to a signal

NOTE This International Standard does not deal with problems that might occur if the danger signals are heard from

outside the signal reception area.
3.8
spectral content
overall frequency content of a signal, or of the ambient noise
2 © ISO 2003 — All rights reserved
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ISO 7731:2003(E)
4 Safety requirements
4.1 General

The nature of the danger signal shall be such that people in the reception area can hear and react to the

signal as intended. If persons with hearing impairment (deafness) or hearing protection (helmets, ear plugs,

etc.) are likely to be present, special care should be taken. The characteristics of the audible signal shall be

adapted to take account of the characteristics relevant to the situation.
4.2 Recognition
4.2.1 Introduction

The reliable recognition of a danger signal requires that the signal be clearly audible, be sufficiently different

from other sounds in the environment and have an unambiguous meaning.

In order of priority, any emergency evacuation signal shall take precedence over all other danger signals and

danger signals shall take precedence over all other auditory signals.
4.2.2 Audibility

4.2.2.1 The danger signal shall be clearly audible. The effective masked threshold shall be distinctly

exceeded. If relevant, the probability of hearing loss in the recipient population may be assessed and taken

into account. If hearing protectors are worn, their levels of attenuation shall be known and introduced into the

assessment.

To ensure its audibility, the A-weighted sound-pressure level of the danger signal shall not be lower than

65 dB at any position in the signal reception area.
In addition, at least one of the criteria in 4.2.2.2 to 4.2.2.4 shall be met.

4.2.2.2 For measurements of the A-weighted sound-pressure level [method a) in 5.2.2.1], the difference

between the two A-weighted sound-pressure levels of the signal and the ambient noise shall be greater than

15 dB (L − L > 15 dB).
S, A N, A

4.2.2.3 For measurements of the octave-band sound-pressure level [method b) in 5.2.3.1], the sound-

pressure level of the signal in one or more octave
...