Is there an air raid in southampton?

[BigglesPiP]

Just heard a siren.

 

[Burnsy2023]

They do it every 6 months or so. It used to be when they were testing stuff at the gas works. I assume that hasn't changed/

Burnsy

 

[mrk]

I work in Southampton and didn't hear a thing!

 

[Col_M]

Probably just a test, when I grew up in Plymouth the nuclear warning sirens at Devonport were tested every monday in case of an accident. I guess you'd have them too being close to Portsmouth.

 

[Dark_Angel]

If they are tested every monday, what happens in case of a nuclear incident on a monday?

 

[Jokester]

If they are tested every monday, what happens in case of a nuclear incident on a monday?

I guess pretty much the same as anyother day of the week - everyone dies

 

[Mr Jones]

I guess you'd have them too being close to Portsmouth.

Yes we in Portsmouth don't get a sodding siren at all, no testing or anything AFAIK. Fire alarm every Tuesday at work though.

 

[Col_M]

Yes we in Portsmouth don't get a sodding siren at all, no testing or anything AFAIK. Fire alarm every Tuesday at work though.

If this is right you do still have them, maybe not tested so often though

 

[Azagoth]

Getting ready for when the LHC finally gets going at full pelt!

 

[slothmeister]

that would be the siren at Esso refinery. goes off all the time, think it's a test they run every tuesday.

 

[SourChipmunk]

Ours sounds off at 1:00p the first Saturday of each month. I think they are used for tornadoes and such, also.

 

[uknowist]

stupid question but how are they so loud? what decibels do they reach?

 

[Mr Jones]

stupid question but how are they so loud? what decibels do they reach?

About 120-130dB apparently.
http://www.abelard.org/hear/hear.php

 

[Masterdog]

Probably just a test, when I grew up in Plymouth the nuclear warning sirens at Devonport were tested every monday in case of an accident. I guess you'd have them too being close to Portsmouth.

I thought that was because Devonport handled nuclear material whereas Portsmouth didn't...could well be wrong tho. Nonetheless, when I was living down there I always dreaded the day I had to swallow one of those iodine tablets. Luckily it never came to pass.

 

[Energize]

Is it necessary to test that the alarm works every week, are speakers really that unreliable? With it being tested so much, when there is a real incident people will just think it is a test.

 

[thepharcyde]

Germans on their way over! Man the anti-aircraft guns.

 

[Viper²]

I can't believe nobody has posted "Quick, to the Internet!" yet.

(now I have)

 

[Jokester]

Is it necessary to test that the alarm works every week, are speakers really that unreliable? With it being tested so much, when there is a real incident people will just think it is a test.

It's not that they're unreliable, because it's nuclear it needs to be very high reliability which requires regular testing to demonstrate it.

 

[Energize]

Surely you could just have multiple independant warning systems which would make the chance of complete failure less than a meteorite destroying the earth, thus negating the need for regular testing? Since it seems people don't even know what the sirens are for, then they are utterly pointless because on hearing the siren no one will do anything?

 

[Jokester]

Surely you could just have multiple independant warning systems which would make the chance of complete failure less than a meteorite destroying the earth, thus negating the need for regular testing? Since it seems people don't even know what the sirens are for, then they are utterly pointless because on hearing the siren no one will do anything?

I would be very surprised if the sirens weren't redundant already.

Edit: For reference, oil platforms usually have dual redundant GPA systems that are tested weekly.