Synchronized Strobes

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 requires that if emergency systems are provided, that they include both audible and visible alarms. The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) establishes the standards and requirements for placements of visual fire alarm devices throughout buildings.

When the ADAAG for visual fire alarm devices were implemented, the guidelines were not consistent with the then existing nationally recognized standards used in the industry. These nationally recognized standards included the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72 Ð National Fire Alarm Code.

In recognition of the conflicts between the nationally recognized standards, an ad hoc committee comprised of representatives of the deaf and hearing-impaired communities, persons with epilepsy, standard-writing authorities, and fire detection and alarm industry, developed proposed changes to the ADAAG. These recommendations were intended to develop common requirements for ADAAG, NFPA 72, and other nationally recognized standards.

One of the proposed revised guidelines recommended that strobe lights be synchronized throughout rooms. The recommended flash rate should be between 1 and 3 Hertz. Many manufactures are providing for synchronization on their new panels. Providing for synchronization and the common flash rate range will reduce the probability of causing a photosensitive epileptic seizure.

In accordance with NFPA 72, synchronized strobes are used when more than one strobe can be directly seen from one location. By synchronizing the strobes all strobes in one area flash together to prevent the combined flash rate from being too quick. Flash rates faster than one flash a second can cause medical problems for susceptible occupants.

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