VADs – What are they?

Visual Alarm Devices (VADs) are an essential component to most fire alarm systems. They provide a visual indication of an alarm condition to those people who wouldn’t normally be alerted to a fire by standard audible-only devices such as sounders and bells.

Why do Hochiki offer VADs?

The disability discrimination Act of 1995 made the inclusion of VADs mandatory in all public buildings, specifically in areas where people with impaired hearing might work in isolation, or in noisy environments where staff might be wearing ear defenders such as factories, foundries etc. Unfortunately, the Act made no stipulation in regard to the light output of a VAD leaving the market open to sub-standard devices. Therefore, in 2010, BS EN 54-23 was introduced to standardise the performance of VADs across Europe. This new the standard became mandatory for all VAD manufacturers on 31st December 2013. Today, all public buildings require EN 54-23 approved VADs.

VADs features and Benefits

Our VADs have a whole host of features and benefits, making it the ideal solution for a variety of environments.

All devices are EN 54-23 approved

Hochiki offer both addressable &
conventional VADs

‘W’, ‘C’ and ‘O’ Category VADs are available

A choice of white or red LEDs are available
in all addressable variants

Both addressable & conventional VADs
have a choice of casing colour

Adressable VADs are self-monitoring for faults

LED brightness can be controlled from the panel*

Addressable devices can be externally powered
from the control panel*

Conventional waterproof variants available

*Dependant on control panel compatibility

Calculating Coverage Volume

The requirement for VADs will be identified as part of a risk assessment. As with other fire alarm system components, there are a number of challenges that must be considered in the layout, design and installation of VADs. One challenge is the illumination of the entire volume of the open space where the alarm must be visible. VADs must produce sufficiently intense light so that an individual located anywhere in the space, looking either towards or away from the VAD, would be alerted in the event of an emergency.

The performance of VADs under the standard is assessed against a minimum required illumination of 0.4 lux on surfaces perpendicular to the direction of the light emitted from the device.

VADs are generally classified into three categories based on their application:
W and C mounted categories pertain to specific installation heights and patterns of coverage – see the below table for more information. Within these two categories, the shape of the volume covered is fixed by the standard – a cylinder for the celling mounted category and a cube for the wall-mounted category. The dimensions of this coverage volume and the mounting height are specified by the manufacturer. For all categories, the volume covered can be used to determine VAD spacing within the building.

‘W’ Category Coverage Volume

Wall mounted VADs cover a cuboid volume with a square floor area. The coverage volume is presented as a code in the form of W - X -Y, where - 

W= Wall-mounted category
X= The maximum mounting height (m)
Y= The width and length (m) of the coverage floor area

The Minimum mounting height allowable by the standard is 2.4m. For example, one of Hochiki’s wall mounted VADS has a classification of W-2.4-5. This means it should be mounted at 2.4m from the floor and will cover an area of up to 5m by 5m.

‘C’ Category Coverage Volume

Ceiling mounted VADs cover a cylindrical area. The coverage volume is presented as a code in the form of C - X -Y, where - 

C= Ceiling-mounted category
X= The maximum mounting height (m)
Y= The diameter (m) of the coverage volume's floor area

The maximum mounting height can only be specified as 3,6 or 9m. For example, one of Hochiki’s ceiling-mounted VADs has a classification of C-3-15. This means it can be mounted up to 3m from the floor and will cover a cylindrical area of 15m diameter. Therefore, the width of the room is Y/1.414

Addressable VADs

CHQ-CB

An Addressable Loop-Powered Ceiling Beacon, with a high intensity LED and a custom designed free-form optic which produces a highly visible flash. Coverage diameters include 6.5m, 7.9m, 9.5m, 10m, 11.4m and 15.1m diameter*. The unit is designed to fit the YBN-R/3, YBN R/3 (SCI), YBO-BS or the YBO-R/(SCI), and is available in Ivory, White or Red case with either Red or White LEDs
(six variants). 

CHQ-WB

An Intelligent Loop-Powered Wall Beacon with a high intensity LED and a custom designed free-form optic which produces a highly visible flash. Variants available in 5m, 7.5m and 10m area coverage.  

CHQ-WSB2

An Addressable Loop-Powered Wall Sounder Beacon, featuring an integral beacon within the horn which utilises high intensity LED technology. Available in Red or White case with either Red or White LEDs (four variants). The CHQ-WSB2 requires one of the following special bases; YBO-R/3 (RED), YBO-R/SCI (RED), or YBO-R/SCI(WHT-SNDR).  

YBO-BSB2

Model YBO-BSB2 is an addressable loop powered Base Sounder with integral Beacon, innovatively designed to give a range of tones and volumes with a maximum output of up to 98 dB (A) (±2dB (A)) with low current consumption. The unit is designed to fit to the Standard Base (YBN-R/3) or the Isolator Base YBN-R/3(SCI) and can be fitted with any of the ESP Range of Sensors, Beacons or remote Indicators. The unit can also be converted into a wall sounder beacon with the simple addition of a Cap (SI/CAP2). The sounder is Ingress Protection rated to IP21 and for internal use only.

Conventional VADs

CWST Range

A range of Conventional Beacons, which can be used as wall or ceiling devices. All variants feature high output LEDs, advanced optics and an innovative lens design, providing outstanding omni-directional light coverage at low current draw. Coverage volumes include 194m³ and 92m³ (wall mounted at 2.4m) between 208m³ and 638m³ (celling mounted between 3m and 9m). The range includes 8 variants, which are determined by case colour (red or white), LED colour (red or white) and black box standard or weatherproof (IP65)).

Choosing the correct Hochiki VAD

With the wide choice of VAD variants available it might seem a daunting task to identify the best unit for the application. Therefore we have devised this simple configuration table which allows you to source the correct VAD by answering questions and following the branches to the appropriate device variant. Simply select the VAD type, then the case colour and finally the LED colour. The ratings column allows you to check the coverage volume setting available. Coverage volumes are selected via the CIE*.

Addressable VADs

Conventional VADs