What is BS 6259 - Design, planning, installation, testing and maintenance of sound systems about?
BS 6259 gives recommendations for the design, planning, installation, testing and maintenance of sound systems intended for communicating speech, music and/or other signals, including systems conveying emergency messages or signals that are not connected to a fire detection system.
BS 6259 helps you improve the overall quality of the sound system.
Note –
BS 6259 is not applicable to:
- voice alarm systems within the scope of BS 5839-8 or BS EN 54-16 or
BS EN 54-24
- emergency voice communication systems within the scope of BS 5839-9;
- emergency sound systems within the scope of BS 7827
- simultaneous interpretation systems (see ISO 2603)
- some of the aspects associated with recording studios, and applies only to
some types of broadcasting studio
- home entertainment systems
- systems intended only to modify the perceived acoustic characteristics of the
space
- manual fire detection systems
- audio conferencing systems
BS 6259 is not applicable to cinema sound systems.
Who is BS 6259 - Design, planning, installation, testing, and maintenance of sound systems for?
BS 6259 on design, planning, installation, testing, and maintenance of sound systems is useful for:
- Clients, designers, and installers of sound systems
- Commissioners of sound systems
- Testers, operation, and maintenance providers of sound systems.
- Sound system manufacturers and suppliers
Why should you use BS 6259 - Design, planning, installation, testing, and maintenance of sound systems?
BS 6259 provides you with guidance for the design of the sound system which will help you improve the sound quality and durability of the system.
BS 6259 can be used by installers of the sound system for setting a standard installation procedure.
BS 6259 aids you in the documentation and certification of the sound system.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS 6259:2015 supersedes BS 6259:1997, which is withdrawn. This is a full revision of the standard, updating all aspects.

