Public Address
Public Address Systems are used as a means of broadcasting information from a single source or multiple sources depending upon the size and nature of the building, to either large groups of people or specific areas of a building “zonal system” or to all areas of the building “all call”.
Messages can be sent clearly and effectively from the operator of a microphone console, which then routes the source through amplifiers before distributing the sound via speakers in the designated area or areas.
Public Address Systems are often expanded to take into consideration the distribution of music into work places via tape/CD/Tuners.
Voice Alarm Systems form part of the Fire Alarm Systems evacuation method. They provide a spoken message giving clear instruction of the problem and identifies the necessary action to be taken.
It has been proven to be the fastest and safest method of evacuation because it delivers an emergency attention drawing signal followed by a recorded message, whilst also allowing delivery of live emergency announcements via the fire officer. This allows specific and detailed information to be provided during phased evacuation situations or for directing staff or public too safety.
The standard facilities available on a Public Address System are all still available i.e. Routine Paging announcements, Background Music, Interfaces to other devices and spot announcements.
Regulated by BS5839 part 8 for the UK, EN60849 through out Europe and BS7827 for Sound Systems at Sports Venues.
In situations where egress is complex or difficult, such as in high-rise buildings or football stadia, human voice is often used to provide the occupants with information through a public address system.
ClearView can provide confidence that the public address system will meet the minimum requirements as set out in BS 5839 and BS EN 60849. The requirements in regard of audibility and intelligibility of a public address system can be stringent in complex acoustic conditions and it is critical that the public address system is designed and specified properly.
We will examine the public address system specification requirements. This may include requirements for minimum sound pressure levels and post installation speech intelligibility testing eg. STI or RASTI testing. A detailed evaluation of the space in which the public address system will serve will be undertaken. This is often the determining factor in compliance with any performance specification and/or the relevant standards.
In the event that the public address system has already been installed, Acoustics Plus is able to undertake a number of commissioning exercises to properly determine the electro-acoustic performance of the public address system. This would be likely to include measurements of speech intelligibility and audibility testing.
Where a public address system is to be designed for a building which is still at design stage, Acoustics Plus can carry out extensive acoustic room modelling with proprietary software packages to ensure that the public address system design will meet the specification requirements. If the public address system cannot meet the requirements due to architectural or acoustic constraints, scientific evidence of such can be provided.