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Mike Simpson
(336) 699-2158 X 204
- Fire Alarm
- Voice Evacuations
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A fire alarm system is number of devices working together to detect and warn people through visual and audio appliances when smoke, fire, carbon monoxide or other emergencies are present. These alarms may be activated from smoke detectors, and heat detectors. Alarms can be either motorized bells or wall mountable sounders or horns. They can also be speaker strobes which sound an alarm, followed by a voice evacuation message which warns people inside the building not to use the elevators. They may also be activated via manual fire alarm activation devices such as manual call points or pull stations. Fire alarm sounders can be set to certain frequencies and different tones including low, medium and high, depending on the country and manufacturer of the device. Most fire alarm systems in Europe sound like a siren with alternating frequencies. Fire alarm sounders in the United States and Canada can be either continuous or set to different codes such as Code 3. Fire alarm warning devices can also be set to different volume levels. Smaller buildings may have the alarm set to a lower volume and larger buildings may have alarms set to a higher level.
Unlike the screams, beeps, and yelps of horn and buzzer alarm systems, today’s voice evac systems now have their say.
This lesson deals with voice evacuation systems – commonly called voice evac systems. These are specially designed public address systems, typically used during fire situations, which the Life-Safety Code requires for certain types of installations.
Voice evac systems are usually part of high-end fire alarm systems, primarily in places of assembly. The system uses spoken messages to evacuate public facilities in an orderly fashion during emergencies. A typical alarm message would state, “Attention please: There has been a report of an emergency. Proceed calmly to the nearest exit, and leave the building immediately.” We consider voice-based systems better alternatives to buzzers and horns, because a voice is typically less frightening (causing less panic), and can give specific instructions.
These systems are not difficult to install, but do cost more than a traditional alarm system.
Code requirements. NFPA 101 (National Fire Prevention Association, document 101) requires you to install voice evac systems in certain types of buildings. It defines assembly occupancy as including, but not limited to, “all buildings or portions of buildings used for gathering together 50 or more people for purposes as deliberation, worship, entertainment, eating, drinking, amusement, or awaiting transportation.”
More specifically, voice evac applies only to Class A and Class B assembly facilities that house more than 300 people. NFPA 101, Sec. 8-3.4.1 states that all Class A and Class B assembly occupancies and art theaters with more than one audience-viewing room shall be equipped with an approved fire alarm system.