Visual Alerting Devices (VAD's)

Sunday November 2, 2025 21:06

Recently it has been brought to our attention that visual alerting devices (VAD’s) have become a focus for fire alarm and building code regimes by some city and regional councils.

Visual alerting devices (VAD’s) are used in excessively noisy environments, workplaces such as workshops, manufacturing floors, sawmills, etc. Where the workplace or facility requires hearing protection as part of normal operations, then visual alarms in addition to audible alarms are required to ensure that emergency alarms when activated alert all the occupants to evacuate the building.

Clause 406.4 from NZS 4512:2021 – Fire detection and alarm systems in buildings requires that:

• If hearing protection is routinely worn by all occupants in an area, audible alarms may not be sufficient for life safety.
• In such cases, visual alerting devices (e.g. strobe lights or flashing beacons) must be installed to ensure alarms are perceivable.

Because NZS 4512 is a cited standard in the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC) “Clause F7 – Warning Systems”, compliance with that clause is effectively a legal requirement when a fire alarm system is required for compliance.

However, Clause 406.4 is not a direct clause within the NZ Building Code but is a reference to a specific section within NZS 4512:2021, the New Zealand Standard for the design and installation of fire detection and alarm systems. 

Typically, architects and fire engineers will be guided by the NZ4512: 2021 standard when designing new buildings or major refurbishments of existing facilities.

There is therefore a case to suggest that this will only apply to new builds or major renovations where council approval and a Code of Compliance Certificate (CCC) is required.

It is worth noting that often noise that requires hearing protection only occurs spasmodically and/or for a short period of time (minutes per day) for a particular operation / activity.  Workers only wear it then and often take it off once the noisy task is completed.  It is unlikely that VAD’s would be required in these situations.

Generally, Fire Alarm systems (and especially the more modern ones) have very loud sirens that can be heard through most hearing protection.

Furthermore, we approached WorkSafe NZ and the response from their technical team on VAD’s was as below:

“WorkSafe does not typically form positions with respect to matters regarding the Building Code and is unlikely to do so here.

It is not WorkSafe’s role to determine what does and does not comply with the Building Code.

That being said, if the concern is that workers wearing hearing protection would be unable to hear a fire alarm in the event of a fire or other emergency, then the principles of HSWA should be applied and reasonably practicable steps put in place to manage that risk, with the installation of VADs a possible control”.

The British lawyer who coined that inescapable term : “So far as is reasonably practicable”  back in 1974 for the UK Health and Safety legislation is always with us. We suggest that if you believe that VAD’s could be necessary in your workplace, that you speak to your Securo Consultant who can help you with the way forward.

If you have any concerns around this topic or other Health & Safety matters, your Securo Consultant is available to help.  We can also advise on hazard management and provide access to specialist health professionals for health monitoring services.
So please give them a call or alternatively contact Securo head office on 0800 55 33 44.

Parts of the information in this newsletter has been derived from guidance documents published by WorkSafe NZ which are available at www.WorkSafe.govt.nz, Ministry of Business and Innovation (MBIE) and parts of the Health and Safety At Work Act – 2015.