Voice evacuation system
Why a voice evacuation system.
Are sirens or bells effective in times of panic? Are voice alarm messages in different languages more effective in times of panic or is visual signaling only effective? What is effective communication? Visual communication is not effective in a dark or smoke-filled environment. Sirens do not provide any clarity as to what is happening or how to react. Research has shown that information from a voice alarm system is the best solution because people take time to understand and believe that there is an emergency. Spoken messages are quickly understood, reducing the total response time. The voice evacuation system allows, above all, to save lives during an emergency situation, in addition to being able to broadcast announcements and background music at the location in question. All equipment that is part of the system is supervised daily, ensuring that it will be ready to operate if necessary. This particularity requires that its components have some special characteristics. Standards When the term Evac (emergency evacuation) is added to the installation of public addresses, it must comply with a series of national and international standards and rules. EN60849 is the Standard applied to sound reinforcement systems and broadcasting systems used to mobilize occupants of indoor or outdoor spaces in emergency situations and EN54 part 16 refers to tests and performance for voice alarm control and indication equipment for use in locations where the alarm signal is transmitted by tones and/or voice message and part 24 regulates and specifies the minimum requirements for EVAC loudspeakers. Performance tests and verification of the characteristics declared by the manufacturer. From March 2011 all manufacturers of EVAC equipment will have to present certification proving that their equipment complies with EN54-16 in order to obtain the CE mark. The current SCIE regulation – In no. 4 of art.º 121 – in spaces equipped with public address systems the general alarm signal for carrying out the total or partial evacuation of the public may consist of a recorded message.
