SIST-TS CEN/TS 54-32:2015

Fire detection and fire alarm systems - Part 32: Planning, design, installation, commissioning, use and maintenance of voice alarm systems

This Technical Specification provides guidelines for the planning, design, installation, commissioning, use, maintenance and modification of voice alarm systems in and around buildings that broadcast information for the protection of lives in a fire emergency. See EN 54 1:2011, Figure 1, item C and item M.
These guidelines cover voice alarm systems that are triggered automatically by a fire detection and fire alarm system or that are manually triggered, or both.
This Technical Specification does not apply to fire detection and fire alarm systems that only use voice sounders, bells or sounders or a combination of these.
NOTE 1   CEN/TS 54-14 provides guidelines for these systems.
This Technical Specification does not exclude the use of voice alarm systems for emergency purposes other than fire emergency.
NOTE 2   When used for emergencies other than those due to fire, it might be appropriate to modify the guidance in this Technical Specification.
This Technical Specification does not exclude the use of voice alarm systems for non-emergency purposes.

Brandemeldanlagen - Teil 32: Projektierung, Montage, Inbetriebnahme, Betrieb und Instandhaltung von Sprachalarmsystemen

Diese Technische Spezifikation stellt Richtlinien für die Planung, Projektierung, Montage, Inbetriebsetzung, Betrieb, Instandhaltung und Änderung von Sprachalarmanlagen (SAA)N1) innerhalb und außerhalb von Gebäuden zur Verfügung, welche Informationen zum Schutz von Leben im Brandfall übertragen. Siehe EN 54-1:2001, Bild 1, Funktionselement C und Funktionselement M.
Diese Richtlinien umfassen SAA, welche automatisch durch eine Brandmeldeanlage oder manuell oder durch beides ausgelöst werden.
Diese Technische Spezifikation gilt nicht für Brandmeldeanlagen, welche nur Sprachalarmgeber, Glocken oder Signalgeber oder eine Kombination dieser verwenden.
ANMERKUNG 1 Richtlinien für diese Anlagen werden in CEN/TS 54-14 zur Verfügung gestellt.
Diese Technische Spezifikation schließt den Betrieb von SAA für andere Alarmfälle als den Brandfall nicht aus.
ANMERKUNG 2 Sofern die Anlage für andere Alarmfälle als den Brandfall benutzt wird, kann eine Modifikation der Richtlinien dieser Technischen Spezifikation angemessen sein.
Diese Technische Spezifikation schließt den Betrieb von SAA für Zwecke, die nicht auf eine Alarmmeldung bezogen sind, nicht aus.

Systèmes de détection et d'alarme incendie - Partie 32 : Planification, conception, installation, mise en service, utilisation et maintenance des systèmes d'alarme vocale

Sistemi za odkrivanje in javljanje požara ter alarmiranje - 32. del: Načrtovanje, projektiranje, vgradnja, preverjanje, uporaba in vzdrževanje zvočnih sistemov za javljanje požara

Ta evropska tehnična specifikacija določa smernice za načrtovanje, projektiranje, vgradnjo, preverjanje, uporabo in vzdrževanje zvočnih sistemov za javljanje požara v zgradbah in okoli njih, ki oddajajo informacije za zaščito življenj v primeru požara. Glej EN 54 1:2011, slika 1, element C in element M.
Te smernice zajemajo zvočne sisteme za javljanje požara, ki jih samodejno sproži sistem za odkrivanje in javljanje požara ter alarmiranje, ki so sproženi ročno ali oboje.
Ta evropska tehnična specifikacija ne velja za sisteme za odkrivanje in javljanje požara ter alarmiranje, ki uporabljajo samo glasovne naprave, zvonce ali zvočne naprave ali njihovo kombinacijo.
OPOMBA 1 Smernice za te sisteme so navedene v standardu CEN/TS 54-14.
Ta evropska tehnična specifikacija ne zajema uporabe zvočnih sistemov za javljanje požara za druge nujne primere, razen v primeru požara.
OPOMBA 2 Če so uporabljene za druge nujne primere in ne za požar, je treba prilagoditi smernice v tej tehnični specifikaciji.
Ta evropska tehnična specifikacija ne zajema uporabe zvočnih sistemov za javljanje požara v primerih, ki niso nujni.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 04-Feb-2015
• Publication Date: 04-Aug-2015
• ICS: 13.220.20 - Fire protection
• ICS: 13.320 - Alarm and warning systems
• Technical Committee: POZ - Požarna varnost
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 09-Jul-2015
• Due Date: 13-Sep-2015
• Completion Date: 05-Aug-2015
• Ref Project: CEN/TS 54-32:2015 - Fire detection and fire alarm systems - Part 32: Planning, design, installation, commissioning, use and maintenance of voice alarm systems

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2015
6LVWHPL]DRGNULYDQMHLQMDYOMDQMHSRåDUDWHUDODUPLUDQMHGHO1DþUWRYDQMH
SURMHNWLUDQMHYJUDGQMDSUHYHUMDQMHXSRUDEDLQY]GUåHYDQMH]YRþQLKVLVWHPRY]D
MDYOMDQMHSRåDUD
Fire detection and fire alarm systems - Part 32: Planning, design, installation,
commissioning, use and maintenance of voice alarm systems
Brandemeldanlagen - Teil 32: Projektierung, Montage, Inbetriebnahme, Betrieb und
Instandhaltung von Sprachalarmsystemen
Systèmes de détection et d'alarme incendie - Partie 32 : Planification, conception,
installation, mise en service, utilisation et maintenance des systèmes d'alarme vocale
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TS 54-32:2015
ICS:
13.220.20 3RåDUQD]DãþLWD Fire protection
13.320 Alarmni in opozorilni sistemi Alarm and warning systems
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
CEN/TS 54-32
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
July 2015
ICS 13.220.20; 13.320
English Version
Fire detection and fire alarm systems - Part 32: Planning, design,
installation, commissioning, use and maintenance of voice alarm
systems
Systèmes de détection et d'alarme incendie - Partie 32 : Brandemeldanlagen - Teil 32: Projektierung, Montage,
Planification, conception, installation, mise en service, Inbetriebnahme, Betrieb und Instandhaltung von
utilisation et maintenance des systèmes d'alarme vocale Sprachalarmsystemen
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 14 March 2015 for provisional application.

The period of validity of this CEN/TS is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to submit their
comments, particularly on the question whether the CEN/TS can be converted into a European Standard.

CEN members are required to announce the existence of this CEN/TS in the same way as for an EN and to make the CEN/TS available
promptly at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in parallel to the CEN/TS)
until the final decision about the possible conversion of the CEN/TS into an EN is reached.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United
Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2015 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TS 54-32:2015 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword . 5
Introduction . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions, symbols and abbreviations . 7
3.1 Terms and definitions. 7
3.2 Symbols and abbreviations . 14
4 General . 14
4.1 Use of this Technical Specification . 14
4.2 Guideline format . 14
4.3 Project phases . 15
4.4 Safety requirements . 16
4.5 Warranties and guarantees . 16
4.6 Documentation . 16
4.7 Responsibility . 16
4.8 Qualifications . 16
5 Concept (Assessment of needs) . 17
5.1 Responsibility . 17
5.2 Intention and purpose . 17
5.3 Risk-assessment . 17
5.4 Consultation . 18
5.5 Local, regional or national requirements . 19
5.6 Documentation . 19
5.7 Parts of the building needing cover . 21
5.8 Extent of manual control . 22
6 Planning and design . 22
6.1 Responsibility of the designer . 22
6.2 Devices connected to the VAS . 22
6.3 Faults. 22
6.4 Modes and conditions of operation . 23
6.5 Intelligibility . 25
6.6 Special risks . 29
6.7 VAS control and indicating equipment (VACIE) . 30
6.8 Interface between the fire detection and alarm system and the VAS . 30
6.9 Initiation of the voice alarm condition . 31
6.10 Power supply . 31
6.11 Standby power supply. 32
6.12 Power amplifiers . 33
6.13 Loudspeakers . 33
6.14 Hierarchical VAS . 35
6.15 Distributed VAS . 36
7 Installation . 37
7.1 General . 37
7.2 Responsibility of the installer . 37
7.3 Location of equipment . 37
7.4 Installation of the VACIE . 37
7.5 Cable installation . 38
7.6 Inspection and testing of wiring . 40
7.7 Loudspeaker installation . 41
7.8 Inspection and testing of loudspeaker circuits . 41
7.9 Documentation. 41
8 Commissioning . 41
8.1 General . 41
8.2 Responsibility . 42
8.3 Prerequisite documentation . 42
8.4 Commissioning . 42
8.5 Documentation. 45
8.6 Operator instructions . 45
9 Verification . 46
9.1 General . 46
9.2 Responsibility . 46
9.3 Documentation. 47
10 Third-party approval . 47
10.1 General . 47
10.2 Approval by authorities having jurisdiction and others . 47
10.3 Approval procedures . 47
10.4 Periodic inspection by an approval body . 48
11 Acceptance . 48
12 Use . 49
12.1 Responsibility . 49
12.2 Periodic tests . 50
12.3 Repair . 51
12.4 Logbook . 51
13 Maintenance . 51
13.1 General . 51
13.2 Responsibility . 51
13.3 Documentation. 51
13.4 Prevention of unwanted activation . 52
13.5 Spare parts . 52
13.6 Maintenance at intervals not exceeding 6 months . 53
13.7 Maintenance at intervals not exceeding 12 months . 54
13.8 On appointment of a new maintenance organization . 55
13.9 After a fire . 55
14 Modification or extension . 55
14.1 General . 55
14.2 Responsibility . 55
14.3 Third-party approval . 56
14.4 Extent of compliance . 56
14.5 Documentation. 56
Annex A (informative) Model documents . 57
A.1 Design certificate . 58
A.2 Installation certificate . 59
A.3 Commissioning certificate . 60
A.4 Verification certificate (optional) . 61
A.5 Acceptance certificate . 62
A.6 Maintenance certificate . 63
A.7 Modification certificate . 64
A.8 Logbook . 65
Annex B (informative) VAS safety levels and categories . 66
B.1 VAS safety levels . 66
B.2 Category of VAS . 67
Annex C (normative) Measurement of speech intelligibility . 69
C.1 Methods of measurement . 69
C.2 Measurement procedure . 69
Annex D (informative) Guidance for Prescriptive Loudspeaker Design . 73
D.1 Decibels (dB) . 73
D.2 Sensitivity . 73
D.3 Coverage angle . 73
D.4 Frequency Response. 73
D.5 Maximum Sound Pressure Level . 74
D.6 Loudspeaker Types . 74
Annex E (informative) Standby battery calculations . 76
E.1 Formula for calculating battery capacity . 76
E.2 Formula for calculating I . 77
Bibliography . 80

Foreword
This document (CEN/TS 54-32:2015) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 72 “Fire detection
and fire alarm systems”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to announce this Technical Specification: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Introduction
Guidelines covering sound systems for use during an emergency are published by different organizations
within Europe. The intention of this Technical Specification is to draw together these documents and provide
up-to-date guidelines for planning, design, installation, commissioning, use, maintenance and modification of
emergency sound systems throughout Europe.
Sound systems for use in emergency, whether automatically triggered, manually triggered, or both, are
commonly called voice alarm systems.
It is not intended that this Technical Specification should override existing local, regional or national
regulations. It is expected for a considerable (and as yet unspecified) period that these guidelines will coexist
with other codes. However, it is hoped that the availability of a common set of guidelines will assist in the
harmonization of practice and standards for voice alarm systems throughout Europe.
This document gives recommendations. These recommendations can be made mandatory by being specified
within other document(s). For example, an authority having jurisdiction empowered under local, regional or
national legislation can require compliance with this document. Equally a contract between a purchaser and a
supplier can specify compliance that may then become mandatory under contract law.
The purpose of a voice alarm system is to provide intelligible warning to person(s) within, or in the vicinity of, a
building in which an emergency has occurred and to enable such person(s) to take appropriate measures
according to an emergency management plan.
Voice alarm systems are often used instead of alarm sounders (see EN 54-3) because the meaning of an
alarm signal may not be clear to untrained building occupants and so time may be spent deciding what it
means and then further time may be spent deciding what to do.
This document contains specific recommendations for the design, installation, commissioning, use, and
maintenance of voice alarm systems and is based on the format used in CEN/TS 54-14.
The main principles on which the guidelines are based are given in the body of this Technical Specification.
Detailed recommendations by which these principles may be satisfied are given in annexes.
1 Scope
This Technical Specification provides guidelines for the planning, design, installation, commissioning, use,
maintenance and modification of voice alarm systems in and around buildings that broadcast information for
the protection of lives in a fire emergency. See EN 54-1:2011, Figure 1, item C and item M.
These guidelines cover voice alarm systems that are triggered automatically by a fire detection and fire alarm
system or that are manually triggered, or both.
This Technical Specification does not apply to fire detection and fire alarm systems that only use voice
sounders, bells or sounders or a combination of these.
NOTE 1 CEN/TS 54-14 provides guidelines for these systems.
This Technical Specification does not exclude the use of voice alarm systems for emergency purposes other
than fire emergency.
NOTE 2 When used for emergencies other than those due to fire, it might be appropriate to modify the guidance in this
Technical Specification.
This Technical Specification does not exclude the use of voice alarm systems for non-emergency purposes.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 54-1:2011, Fire detection and fire alarm systems - Part 1: Introduction
3 Terms and definitions, symbols and abbreviations
For the purposes of this document, the definitions, symbols and abbreviations given in EN 54-1:2011 and the
following apply.
3.1 Terms and definitions
3.1.1
acceptance
decision that the installed system meets the requirements of a previously agreed specification
3.1.2
acoustically different area
ADA
subdivision of a voice alarm zone, which may be an enclosed or otherwise physically defined space,
characterized by an individual reverberation time and/or ambient noise level
Note 1 to entry: ADA is also known as an acoustically distinguishable area.
3.1.3
alarm signal
visual, audible or tactile indication of a fire or other emergency
EXAMPLES Fire, bomb alert, industrial accident, civil commotion, terrorist attack.
3.1.4
alarm load
maximum current required to operate the voice alarm system in the voice alarm condition
3.1.5
ambient noise level
ambient sound pressure normally present in an ADA in dB, normally measured using equivalent sound
pressure level, L but may be measured using L , depending on the nature of the noise
eqT 10
Note 1 to entry: The level of ambient noise is measured across all the octave bands from 125 Hz to 8 kHz. The results
can be used to correct STI calculations and to assist with electro-acoustic system design.
Note 2 to entry: L is the A-weighted sound pressure level of noise varying over a period of time, T (normally 10 min)
eqT
expressed as the amount of average energy and is the measurement method normally used when there is long-term
background noise, such as from extraction fans.
Note 3 to entry: L is the sound pressure level exceeded for 10 % of the measurement period calculated by statistical
analysis over a specified time period, T and is the measurement method normally used when background noise varies
significantly.
Note 4 to entry: Where the ambient noise level exceeds 90 dB, satisfactory speech intelligibility becomes increasingly
difficult to achieve because of the auditory-masking effect.
3.1.6
approval
agreement by a third-party that the installed system satisfies the requirements of the third-party
3.1.7
approval body
body accepted by an authority having jurisdiction or other competent organization as having the expertise
necessary to assess the compliance of the installed system with this Technical Specification
3.1.8
area of coverage
area inside or outside a building where the voice alarm system should meet the recommendations of this
Technical Specification
3.1.9
arithmetic mean
l
av
value obtained by dividing the sum of a set of quantities by the number of quantities in the set
Note 1 to entry: The arithmetic mean l is given by the following formula:
av
l aa++ a++. a
( )
av 12 3 N
N
where
a
is a real number (measurement value), and
N
N is the number of measurement values.
=
3.1.10
attention-drawing signal
tone that is broadcast to attract attention at the start of an emergency message
Note 1 to entry: The level of the attention-drawing signal is measured using the A-weighted equivalent continuous
sound pressure level method, L .
AeqT
3.1.11
audibility
property of a sound that allows it to be heard among other sounds
Note 1 to entry: The fact that a message is audible does not mean that it is intelligible.
3.1.12
auditory masking
process by which the threshold of hearing (audibility) of one sound is increased by the presence of another
(masking) sound
Note 1 to entry: In the STI method, auditory masking is also referred to as the upward spread of masking.
3.1.13
authority having jurisdiction
AHJ
body having powers to approve the voice alarm system provided under local, regional, national or European
legislation
3.1.14
automatic mode
mode of operation of a voice alarm system such that it can be put into the voice alarm condition by a fire
detection and fire alarm system without human intervention in a way that is pre-set according to an agreed
emergency management plan
3.1.15
auxiliary mains power supply
locally provided mains power supply used to provide power to a VAS so that the quiescent condition can be
maintained during a mains power supply failure without compromising the duration of operation of a VAS
EXAMPLE Uninterruptable power supply, automatically started generator.
Note 1 to entry: Auxiliary mains power supplies are also called essential power supplies.
3.1.16
cabinet
housing that affords a degree of mechanical protection and robustness to its constituent parts and
subassemblies
3.1.17
coded message
emergency message intended to inform trained staff of an incident without alerting untrained occupants
Note 1 to entry: Messages that are not coded, and whose meaning is therefore clear, are known as clear messages.
3.1.18
PA/VA system
voice alarm system in which emergency audio functions are combined with non-emergency audio functions
3.1.19
commissioning
process for managing the delivery of a voice alarm system by verifying that it is designed, installed, and tested
to meet the project specification
3.1.20
competent person
person who, in relation to the work undertaken, has the necessary knowledge, skill and experience to
complete the work satisfactorily and safely
3.1.21
control centre
location containing an emergency microphone that is occupied by trained operators during periods of risk,
such as during public access times in a shopping centre or during an event in a sports venue
Note 1 to entry: If access to a control centre is restricted, the emergency microphone may be considered to be at
access level 2 as defined in EN 54-2.
3.1.22
control point
location containing an emergency microphone for the use of trained operators during an emergency
3.1.23
emergency message
broadcast comprising an attention-drawing signal followed by a pre-recorded or live emergency
announcement
3.1.24
emergency microphone
microphone for use by the fire service or trained operators as part of a voice alarm system
Note 1 to entry: The emergency microphone may have status indicators and manual controls for the selection and
broadcast of live and/or pre-recorded announcements.
Note 2 to entry: In order to achieve the best possible intelligibility, it is essential that operators of emergency
microphones are trained to use microphones correctly.
3.1.25
emergency speech level
A-weighted sound pressure level of the speech signal that will be broadcast in the voice alarm condition
measured in dB
Note 1 to entry: To determine the emergency speech level the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level
L is measured and 6 dB added to the result (see EN 60268-16).
AeqT
3.1.26
equivalent continuous sound pressure level
L
eqT
twenty-fold decimal logarithm of the ratio of the RMS sound pressure level for a given time interval, T, to the
reference sound pressure, where the RMS sound pressure may be determined with a standardized frequency
weighting
Note 1 to entry: EN 61672 (all parts) gives further information regarding the requirements for sound pressure
measurements.
3.1.27
fault
equipment failure within the voice alarm system that jeopardises the correct functioning of part or all of the
system
3.1.28
fire compartment
building compartment whose boundaries have a defined fire resistance
3.1.29
functional condition
condition of the VACIE characterized by its indication at the VACIE
Note 1 to entry: The functional conditions recognized in this Technical Specification are:
— the voice alarm condition, when any emergency message or fire alarm signal, recorded or live, is broadcast in at least
one voice alarm zone,
— the fault warning condition, when a fault is indicated,
— the disabled condition, when the disablement of a function is indicated,
— the quiescent condition, when no other functional condition listed above is indicated.
3.1.30
hierarchical VAS
voice alarm system comprising more than one VACIE in which one VACIE is designated as the main VACIE
and in which the main VACIE is able to:
a) receive signals from and/or transmit signals to any subsidiary VACIE;
b) indicate the status of any subsidiary VACIE
Note 1 to entry: It may be necessary to ensure that the transmission paths between VACIE are able to continue to
operate correctly in case of a single fault.
3.1.31
intelligibility
measure of the proportion of the content of a message that can be correctly understood by listeners
3.1.32
listener
person of normal hearing in the voice alarm system’s area of coverage who is able to understand the
language used
3.1.33
loudspeaker transmission path
transmission path to one or more loudspeakers
Note 1 to entry: A loudspeaker transmission path may have more than one link to the VACIE, such as a loop
connected at both ends.
Note 2 to entry: If two or more cables are directly linked without a method of isolation by a fuse, relay or similar device,
they are part of the same loudspeaker transmission path.
Note 3 to entry: Loudspeaker transmission paths are often referred to as loudspeaker circuits – see EN 54-1.
3.1.34
maintenance
routine process of inspection, testing and work on the voice alarm system (including cleaning, re-alignment,
adjustment and replacement) carried out at pre-determined intervals in order to maintain correct operation
Note 1 to entry: Maintenance may also be referred to as servicing.
3.1.35
manual mode
mode of operation where a trained operator is directly in control of the broadcast of live or pre-recorded
emergency messages
3.1.36
multi-lingual emergency message
emergency message comprising multi-lingual content with the same meaning
3.1.37
distributed VAS
distributed VAS normally transports audio signals, control data and fault monitoring data over a transmission
path and may comprise one or more VACIE that communicate with each other or may be one VACIE
distributed over several locations
3.1.38
operator
person who is trained to an agreed level of proficiency in tasks relating to the operation and use of the voice
alarm system
Note 1 to entry: Tasks relating to the operation and use of the voice alarm system include interpret indications and
warnings, operating the VAS controls and microphones, reporting issues to the responsible person and recording relevant
events in the logbook.
3.1.39
phased evacuation
system of evacuation in which different parts of the building are evacuated in a controlled sequence of
phases, those parts of the building expected to be at greatest risk being evacuated first
EXAMPLE A typical two-phase system will be capable of broadcasting “alert” and “evacuate” signals in different
parts of the building. A typical three-phase system will be capable of giving “staff alarm”, “alert” or “evacuate” signals in
different parts of the building.
Note 1 to entry: Phased evacuation is normally used where evacuation routes are restricted, such as in high-rise
buildings, or where total evacuation may be dangerous or unnecessary.
Note 2 to entry: The normal condition, under which no alarm is given in a voice alarm zone, is not counted as a phase
of alarm.
3.1.40
pre-recorded message
pre-recorded emergency message stored in the VACIE
3.1.41
purchaser
person or organization or their appointed representative responsible for the contract to purchase a voice alarm
system
Note 1 to entry: The purchaser is often referred to as the client, customer, end-user or owner.
Note 2 to entry: Representatives of the purchaser can include members of the design team or a contractor.
3.1.42
quiescent condition
condition of the voice alarm system characterized by the absence of the voice alarm condition, fault warning
condition, or disabled conditions
Note 1 to entry: If the voice alarm system is also used for non-emergency purposes, these functions are considered to
be part of the quiescent condition.
3.1.43
responsible person
person appointed by the user who is responsible for ensuring that the voice alarm system operates properly,
that operators are trained and competent, and that the system is correctly maintained
Note 1 to entry: In buildings with large numbers of occupants this responsibility may also be delegated so that
someone with appropriate knowledge is always present.
3.1.44
reverberation time
RT
time in seconds required for the average sound-energy to decay by 60 dB after the sound source has stopped
broadcasting
3.1.45
speech transmission index
STI
Speech Transmission Index (STI) is an objective measure between 0 (no intelligibility) and 1 (perfect
intelligibility) used to predict the intelligibility of speech transmitted to listeners via a transmission channel
Note 1 to entry: Guidance on STI is given in EN 60268-16.
3.1.46
speech transmission index for public address systems
STIPA
method obtained by using a condensed version of the STI method but still responsive to distortions found in
room acoustics and/or public address systems
Note 1 to entry: Guidance on STIPA is given in EN 60268-16.
3.1.47
system designer
technically competent person or organization that takes responsibility for the specification and adequacy of the
design of the voice alarm system
3.1.48
transmission path
physical connection, external to the cabinet(s) of the VACIE, for the transmission of information, emergency
messages and/or power between the VACIE and other components of the voice alarm system and/or parts of
the VACIE contained in different cabinets
3.1.49
user
person or organization having day-to-day responsibility for the building and for implementation of fire-safety
procedures
3.1.50
verification
process by which the installer or other contractor satisfies the purchaser that the voice alarm system meets
the defined requirements
3.1.51
voice alarm condition
condition of the VACIE when an emergency message, pre-recorded or live, or an alarm signal is broadcast in
at least one voice alarm zone
3.1.52
voice alarm control and indicating equipment
VACIE
component of a voice alarm system that generates and transmits emergency messages or alarm signals to
loudspeaker(s) when it receives alarm signal(s) from a fire detection and fire alarm system and/or from manual
controls
Note 1 to entry: VACIE can vary in size and complexity from a single cabinet through to many cabinets distributed
throughout a building or site.
3.1.53
voice alarm system
VAS
sound distribution system complying with EN 54 that provides means for broadcasting emergency messages
or alarm signals in the event of a fire or other emergency, either automatically under control from a fire
detection and alarm system, or manually, or both (see item M of EN 54-1)
3.1.54
voice alarm zone
defined area composed of one or more ADAs, to which emergency messages can be broadcast separately
Note 1 to entry: Voice alarm zones may be selected and controlled to broadcast emergency messages singly or in
groups.
Note 2 to entry: When used for non-emergency purposes, such as public address announcements or music, the
boundaries of loudspeaker zones may differ from the voice alarm zones, in which case they are commonly called public
address or PA zones.
3.2 Symbols and abbreviations
CIE control and indicating equipment (item B of Figure 1 in EN 54-1: 2011)
GUI graphical user interface
PSE power supply equipment (item L of Figure 1 in EN 54-1: 2011)
RMS root mean square (e.g. of a signal)
SPL sound pressure level
4 General
4.1 Use of this Technical Specification
This Technical Specification provides recommendations for planning, design, installation, commissioning,
verification, use, maintenance and modification of VAS. They are not mandatory, but are intended to provide a
basis for the provision and use of effective systems and so specify what “should” be done, rather than giving
requirements for what “shall” be done.
4.2 Guideline format
This Technical Specification cannot cover every case that might arise. For this reason, variations from these
recommendations are possible, provided that they achieve the safety objectives of the VAS and have been
agreed between all responsible parties (see 5.4) and that the variations are documented (see 8.3 c).
This Technical Specification has been drawn up so that the provision and use of an installed VAS will follow
the pattern shown in Table 1.
4.3 Project phases
The project should be split into phases as shown in Table 1. This Technical Specification is written as though
each of the phases is to be carried out by different organizations. Each organization will have its own
expertise but will also need information derived from previous work and will need to pass information on to the
parties responsible for the next phase in order to ensure a clear understanding of the VAS objectives.
This Technical Specification gives recommendations for qualifications of personnel or organizations,
responsibility for the work, and for the documentation to be carried on from one phase to the next phase.
Table 1 — VAS: phases, content and ownership of the planning, design, installation,
commissioning, use, maintenance and modification
Phase Clause Content Ownership
Concept 5 Purpose, risk-assessment, local, regional or Purchaser
(Assessment of national requirements, emergency management
needs) plan, subdivision of the building into voice alarm
zones, interaction of the VAS with other systems
Planning and 6 Selection of and intended locations of VAS designer
design components, provision for VAS indications and
controls, provision of power supplies, selection,
routeing and protection of interconnection cables
Installation 7 Mounting, interconnecting and testing the Installer
equipment and cables
Commissioning 8 Commissioning the VAS and training of Installer
operators
Verification 9 Verification of correct operation of the VAS Purchaser
Third-Party 10 Verification and certification of correct operation AHJ
Approval of the VAS
Acceptance 11 Acceptance of
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