05 Jul Anthony Smith elected chair of key standards committee

Anthony Smith, managing director of global fire and safety audio specialist Vox Ignis, has been appointed as Chair of BSI FSH/12/5.

BSI FSH/12/5 is the committee responsible for codes of practice for the design, installation, servicing and maintenance of voice alarm evacuation systems and emergency communication systems in buildings.

Smith said: “I’m delighted to be continuing to contribute to the important work of FSH/12/5 and honoured to have been confirmed by BSI as Committee Chair. Voice communications are increasingly recognised as the best way to manage people in an emergency and the standards and codes of practice regimes around voice alarm, emergency voice communications and assistance alarms are changing relatively quickly as our built environment and the systems protecting it become more complicated.

“My work over 30 years in developing audio safety products, codes of practice and standards is something I’m very proud of. I would encourage any stakeholder in the industry to get involved in the future creation and amendment of our life saving regulations. I would also like to thank the former chair Andy Scott for his work as chair over many years.”

Christopher Smith-Wong, Lead Standards Development Manager within BSI’s Built Environment sector said: “British Standards are globally respected because of the expert input of stakeholders from across the field. Tony has been a vocal and important member of FSH/12/5 for many years and with his long experience across the field, his work on other standards, codes and practice and industry bodies is an excellent choice to chair the committee. I congratulate him and look forward to working with him.