FIRE SAFETY & DISASTER RECOVERY
BEYOND COMPLIANCE
Around the world, ageing buildings highlight the importance of emergency communication, compliance and keeping people safe. Around 85% of buildings in the European Union were constructed before 2000, many of which need updated emergency communication systems to meet current regulations, codes and insurance requirements.
However, for facilities management teams, selecting proper emergency communication is more than just about code compliance. Ensuring occupant safety during an evacuation event is the top priority, followed by compliance, operational resilience, maintenance efficiency, building integration and long-term value.
When it comes to effective evacuation, studies show people react up to 50% faster to clear voice messages versus traditional sound-only alarms. Because of this, mandates for voice alarm technology in fire detection and alarm systems are becoming more common. Until recently, public address, background music and voice alarm functions were all performed by different systems.
Facilities that require a communication system to support effective emergency response and daily operations can benefit from an all-in-one public address and voice alarm (PAVA) system. Combined PAVA systems can perform three functions: public address (live or recorded messages), voice alarm (real-time evacuation instructions) and background music, all while reducing operational costs through simplified installation and maintenance.
There are several benefits of PAVA systems that facility managers and building owners should consider when working with their specifying partner to select their next emergency communication system:
32 | TOMORROW’S FM
Krzysztof Krasinski, PAVA Sales Support Engineer at Johnson Controls, analyses how public address and voice alarm (PAVA) systems support safety and operations in today’s facilities.
Easy installation PAVA systems with plug-and-play designs simplify installation, integration and use. A unified system streamlines hardware and accessories previously required for multiple systems, resulting in fewer devices to install, commission and maintain. This reduces the total cost of ownership compared to separate systems and delivers ongoing value that extends through the life of the system.
Reliability To ensure system reliability when it matters most, today’s PAVA systems can come with built-in redundancy measures. PAVA systems with no single point of failure include a backup power supply, redundant speaker lines, backup amplifier and a redundant main unit to meet even the most stringent requirements of highly-regulated spaces such as government and military facilities.
In the European Union, EN 54-16 provides the product standard and application guidelines for voice alarm control and indicating equipment. EN 54-24 specifies requirements for system loudspeakers and EN 54-4 provides guidelines for the power supply equipment. Be sure to select a system that is certified to these standards.
Scalability As your facilities grow and change over time, so do their emergency response needs. Combined PAVA systems can easily adapt and accommodate new components to maximise long-term system value. An all-in-one PAVA system includes a main unit with various channels, as well as inputs and outputs for customisation and expansion, including:
• Amplifier channels for speaker lines. • Inputs and outputs to integrate with the fire alarm.
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