PA SYSTEMSTony DodkinLPCB

Voice evacuation systems used in conjunction with fire alarm systems

• The primary reason for using a voice alarm system is to reduce the time taken for those at risk to recognize that an emergency exists.

• Clear voice announcements are an aid to a fast and safe emergency evacuation of occupants, (phased evacuation) in an orderly fashion

Voice Alarm – Added Value

• Use of ‘voice alarm’ to shorten evacuation time

• Used instead of Sounders/Alarm Bells

• Clear step by step evacuation and understandable messages

• Effective in preventing the outbreak of panic

Popularity growing

• Voice Alarm Equipment• A growing market and number of

Manufacturers for Voice Evacuation• More ‘voice evac’ integrated into building

Security with Fire alarm systems• More market players offering ‘voice evac’• Growing impact “on safety in the event of

a fire”

EN 54-1 System Components

EN54-5

EN54-7

EN54-10

EN54-12

EN54-20

EN54-11

EN54-4

EN54-3

EN54-24

EN54-2

EN54-16

EN54-17

Installation:

EN54-14

Compatibility Components:

EN54-13

Radio Links

EN54-25EN54-21

EN54-18

Where is voice evacuation needed

• Public Buildings:- Offices, Schools, Shopping Malls, Railway Stations, Airports, Hospitals, Conference Centres, Parking areas (garages), etc...

• Hotels/Living accommodation:- Hotels, Motels and Apartment Buildings.

• Old Peoples’ Home (HMO)• Industrial:- Factories

EN54 Fire Alarm and Voice AlarmExample of a Phased Evacuation Plan

Phased Evacuation

1 = evacuation

2 = warning

3 = attention

Thereby enabling those

in the greatest danger

to escape first.

123

4

Construction Product Directive

• As of 1st April 2011 Public Address Systems used for Voice Evacuation and directly connected to Fire Alarm systems need to be tested andapproved to the applicable EN standard.

Evaluation of conformity

• The evaluation of conformity of the product (i.e. voice alarm control and indicating equipment) with the requirements of the European Standard in question shall be demonstrated by:

• A) Tasks under the responsibility of the manufacturer:• 1) Factory production control• 2) Further testing of samples by the manufacturer in accordance with

a prescribed test plan.• B) Tasks under the responsibility of a notified product

certification body:• 1) Initial type testing of the product• 2) Initial inspection of the factory and factory production control.• 3) Continuous surveillance, assessment and approval of the FPC.

EN 54-24

Part 24: Components of voice alarm systems - Loudspeakers• Voice alarm loudspeakers as components of a voice alarm system provide intelligible

warning to people within, or in the vicinity of, a building in which a fire emergency has occurred and enable such people to take appropriate measures against a pre-determined evacuation plan.

• The primary reason for using a voice alarm system is to reduce the time taken for those at risk to recognise that an emergency exists. This means that voice alarm loudspeakers need to achieve a minimum acoustical performance, to be suitable for use in fire alarm systems.

• The standard gives common requirements for the construction and robustness of voice alarm loudspeakers as well as their performance under climatic and mechanical conditions.

• The loudspeakers have been classified in either an indoor or an outdoor application environment category.

• Part 16 – Voice alarm control and indicating equipment• The standard specifies requirements, methods of test and

performance criteria for voice alarm control and indicating equipment for use in fire alarm systems installed in buildings, where the alarm signal is in the form of tone(s) or voice message(s), or both

EN 54–16

EN 54-23 Ready to Start Testing

EN 54 - 23

Part 23: Fire alarm devices - Visual Alarm devices.

• The standard specifies the requirements, test methods and performance criteria for visual alarm devices in a fixed installation, intended to signal a visual warning of a fire initiated by the fire detection and alarm system. It covers only those devices that derive their operating power by means of a physical electrical connection to an external source, such as a fire alarm system, and it applies only to pulsing or flashing visual alarm devices – for example Xenon or rotating beacons and devices that rely on software for their operation.

Thanks for listening,

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