Design & Implementation of Voice Alarm Systems
Voice alarm systems are a specialist form of public address system that enhances the safe evacuation of a building through use of the aurally spoken word. They are used predominantly in premises where the public or persons without site specific fire safety training outweigh staff, such as shopping complexes, stadia and public transport hubs. In public buildings it can also be difficult to conduct fire drills as there are so many people who visit infrequently and voice alarms save time in evacuation under these circumstances.
Voice alarm systems require messages to be clear, audible and easy to understand, which takes them beyond the realms of public address systems.
Such systems require an understanding of the technical issues relating to loudspeakers and at least a general understanding of electro acoustics in order to ensure that the spoken word is both audible and intelligible; it is not simply a case of increasing the volume to make it work.
Delegates wishing to attend this training course are recomended to have first have taken the FIA Unit 1, Fire Detection Design course.
The Course
This course will teach delegates about:
- Differences between a voice alarm system and public address system
- British and EU Standards relating to voice alarms, particularly EN 54 and BS 5839-8
- Creating a voice alarm design plan
- Use of stand-alone voice alarm sounders
- Selection and use of loudspeakers
- Audibility requirements and clarity considerations
- Installation and fault finding
- The interface between Voice Alarm Control and Indicating Equipment (VACIE) and Fire Alarm Control and Indicating Equipment (FACIE)
- Composition and use of life safety messages
- Using microphones and other ancillary equipment
- Amplifier power and battery calculations
Course material will include a design plan on which delegates will be expected to design a simple voice alarm system and a reference manual.
This one day course will be applicable for 8 FIA CPD hours.
Who Should Attend?
Designers, commissioning engineers, installation and maintenance engineers, specifiers, sales engineers and anyone involved in fire evacuation strategy, whether in the security, electrical or fire industries.
Programme
- The selection and use of loudspeakers
Defining zones for emergency and non-emergency loudspeakers
Type, location, orientation and setup of loudspeakers - The differences in requirements for a voice alarm system over a public address system
- Knowledge of control equipment
- The methodology of cable installation and fault finding
- The interface with the fire alarm system
- Audibility and clarity requirements
Testing audibility and clarity
Achieving the audibility and clarity necessary for satisfactory intelligibility
Understanding of the changes to audibility and clarity through occupancy - Composition and use of life safety messages
- What the current and new British and EU Standards are
- The use of voice alarm sounders (stand alone units)
- Microphones and ancillary equipment
- The use of voice alarm systems for non emergency purposes
- Completing a simple design plan for a voice alarm
- Identifying and using relevant reference material
- Carrying out amplifier power
- Testing and making adjustment for intelligibility
Outcome
All course delegates will be provided with a comprehensive manual covering the material included during the day and additional support material, serving as a valuable point of reference after completion of the training.
The ongoing assessment included in the course will allow the trainer to monitor progress and provide additional assistance to learning where required. Delegates achieving 75% or more in the assessments will be awarded an FIA certificate stating that they have attended and passed the course.
Benefits
At the end of this course companies can be confident that their engineer has a thorough understanding of voice alarm systems, how they work, and how to design, maintain and commission one.
