Fire Alarm Decibel Levels & Ear Plug NRR Questions

[gav01]

Okay so I have a new job and unfortunately on rare occasions I have to respond to and silence a fire alarm or two. They are located in hotel type places. What is the loudest dB I would be exposed to. This is in the U.K. I heard some go as loud as 120 dB.

My question about NRR rated ear plugs is what is the highest NRR. I read that it is 33 but I've seen some advertised as 36 and 40+.

As a tinnitus sufferer who has tinnitus very bad and chronically I am obviously already thinking about this scenario which hasn't happened yet and worrying but wearing era plugs and only responding to silence the alarm (not very long exposure) should I worry at all if wearing eat plugs?

 

[Alue]

The ones that advertise 40+ are BS. The best earmuffs are around 33db, same with earplugs. You can maybe get 37 dB NRR with good plugs plus muffs in an ideal situation.

I think the fire alarms are like 120 at 1 meter (I'd have to look up the specifics). So it could be louder than that right next to the alarm and quieter further away.

With plugs and muffs you should be well under 100db, but I still wouldn't hang out next to one for extended periods of time if it were me.

 

[Bill Bauer]

should I worry at all if wearing eat plugs?

Yes. Search this forum - you will find the stories of a number of people who got serious T spikes after being exposed to fire alarms while wearing hearing protection.

 

[gav01]

Great.

 

[gav01]

I used to use these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pairs-Soft...8&qid=1549256692&sr=8-15&keywords=3m+earplugs

They were the best ones I ever used.

SNR 39 High Frequency reduction 36 Medium so I assume that will bring 120 dB to 85 dB.

Fire alarms sound at 2000 Hz+ and the medium and high protection on these earplugs cover 2000 Hz+

In my job I'd have time to put the plugs in properly in a safe noise location before going to silence the alarm.

It would take me maximum of 1 minute to 1 as because as soon as in walk into the building I put a code in and turn it off.

 

[GlennS]

I haven't determined whether my current worsened tinnitus is due to the movie I saw or the fire alarm going off in the subway that happened not long before that. Fire alarms should not be allowed to operate at such piercing volumes.

 

[Karl28]

What about some thick earmuffs

 

[AZeurotuner]

I used to use these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pairs-Soft...8&qid=1549256692&sr=8-15&keywords=3m+earplugs

They were the best ones I ever used.

SNR 39 High Frequency reduction 36 Medium so I assume that will bring 120 dB to 85 dB.

Fire alarms sound at 2000 Hz+ and the medium and high protection on these earplugs cover 2000 Hz+

In my job I'd have time to put the plugs in properly in a safe noise location before going to silence the alarm.

It would take me maximum of 1 minute to 1 as because as soon as in walk into the building I put a code in and turn it off.

With Peltor X5a's and Peltor Blasts™, you should be fine. I wouldn't use anything else, they just won't cut it.

 

[gav01]

With Peltor X5a's and Peltor Blasts™, you should be fine. I wouldn't use anything else, they just won't cut it.

Well from some research online it seems that for some scenarios that earplugs are better than ear defenders. The link I posted has higher snr values in the high frequencies at least anyway than those ear defenders. I think I should be fine anyway as I'd basically be going straight in the door and silencing it. I will know why the alarms going off most of the time before arriving too.

 

[linearb]

I spent 8 years with obnoxious tinnitus fleeing alarming office buildings and condos, often having to walk right by the devices at ear-level. I very rarely did anything more dramatic than jam my fingers in my ears, and never had any problems as a result.

As a general rule, yes, earplugs are better than ear defenders. When I'm doing anything real loud like chainsawing, I double up.

 

[AZeurotuner]

Well from some research online it seems that for some scenarios that earplugs are better than ear defenders. The link I posted has higher snr values in the high frequencies at least anyway than those ear defenders. I think I should be fine anyway as I'd basically be going straight in the door and silencing it. I will know why the alarms going off most of the time before arriving too.

I am recommending wearing both. Peltor Blast™ are ear plugs, wear those under the X5a's.

I spent 8 years with obnoxious tinnitus fleeing alarming office buildings and condos, often having to walk right by the devices at ear-level. I very rarely did anything more dramatic than jam my fingers in my ears, and never had any problems as a result.

As a general rule, yes, earplugs are better than ear defenders. When I'm doing anything real loud like chainsawing, I double up.

I am recommending both. I think OP was confused as to what I was suggesting.