Voice Alarm (VA) and Voice Evacuation (Voice EVAC)

Bells, Buzzers, Horns........ Voice Evacuation systems (Voice EVAC) have their SAY!

Voice Alarm (VA) and Voice EVAC (VEVAC) systems typically co-reside with other alarm and emergency based systems to provide spoken alarm, evacuation information and instructions. Commonly integrated with complex/high-end fire systems, VEVAC systems are specially designed PA installations that can be seen in many situations, especially public assembly areas (stations, airports, shopping centres etc..)

Typical voice evacuation messages provide clear information and instructions about the emergency. These spoken messages are often better understood by people in the building, again, especially in public assembly areas.

Voice Alarm (VA) EVAC Design, Standards & Regulations

Careful consideration to the Voice Alarm (VA) system design, building design and defined escape routes are extremely important to any conventional alarm or evacuation based system. A VEVAC system has additional design aspects and considerations:

BS5839-8:1998 (Voice alarm system design and installation)

This particular section of the fire detection and alarm regulations covers the 'Code of practice for emergency voice communication systems'. It is important to recognise specific design considerations for VEVAC systems, part 8 of this respective British Standard covers these details - you can find out more about these by clicking HERE.

BS EN 60849 (Sound systems for emergency purposes)

Whilst BS5839-8 provides some specific requirements of voice and emergency systems, the details with regards to audio 'specification' are defined only briefly and within codes or practice, and does not directly cover aspects of audio performance. BS 7443 (now BS EN 60849) was developed and introduced to cover audio specifications and performances such as: audibility and intelligibility.

It is obviously very important that any 'Voice' based alarm and EVAC system is well designed so that the audio and spoken messages are clear and intelligible. This standard works together with BS5839, and provides a basis for consideration the building acoustics when designing a Voice Alarm (VA) EVAC system.

BS EN 54-2:1998 (Fire detection and fire alarm systems - control and indicating equipment)

Fire / Alarm panels for automatic systems are fully specified. This requires that circuits are monitored continuously and that both audible and visual indication is provided for fault and alarm conditions .Further requirements include that alarms / messages may only be silenced manually, after which the control panel must provide audible and visual signals until the system is reset. Silencing of alarms / messages must not prevent the alarm being raised in other zones. It should be noted that the standards require all fault/alarm indicator lamps to be in duplicate or a single lamp with audible signal of lamp failure. Control and indicating panels may include facilities for operation of ancillary services such as fixed fire extinguishing, door closing etc.


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