During an evacuation event, studies indicate people react up to 50% faster to clear voice messages versus traditional sound-only alarms. To strive for safer buildings worldwide, mandates for voice alarm (VA) technology in fire detection and alarm systems are becoming more common.
About 85% of buildings in the European Union were constructed before 2000, and outdated emergency systems must adapt to current regulations, code enforcement and insurance requirements. As facilities are retrofitted to meet today’s requirements, building owners and managers are relying on specifiers to recommend the most appropriate systems for occupant safety. To help customers meet these regulations, improve emergency response and create more future-proof buildings, many specifiers are selecting combined public address and voice alarm (PAVA) systems.
Until recently, public address, background music and voice alarm functions were all performed by different systems. However, there are now EN 54-16 certified, all-in-one PAVA systems that integrate the three functions, streamlining installation and simplifying maintenance while reducing capital and operational costs. Specifiers who are aware of the latest advancements in PAVA technology and best practices for system selection are better positioned to support commercial building customers and to provide greater value.
The advantages of PAVA systems
PAVA systems can simultaneously play different live audio or recorded messages for separate zones in a building or space. In an emergency, this capability helps prevent bottlenecks by allowing for automatic, phased, zone-by-zone evacuation starting with the location nearest to the emergency event. Day-to-day, it can be used for paging, announcements and ambiance.
A PAVA system performs three functions:
Public address: Broadcasts live or pre-recorded announcements throughout a space. This function is vital in airports, metro stations and transport hubs with multiple gates and points of announcements as well as hospitals, schools and stadiums.
Background music: Contributes to an intentional atmosphere in environments like shopping malls, hotels and convention centres.
Voice alarm: Delivers clear, comprehensible evacuation instructions during an emergency to strategically guide occupants to specific exits or areas of refuge. Beneficial to all facilities including high-rise office buildings and data centres.
Best practices for system selection
To maximise PAVA system value for building owners, there are several best practices that are essential to follow when choosing between systems. Here, Krzysztof Krasiński of Johnson Controls outlines the top tips:
1. Prioritise reliability
Emergency alert systems must work especially when needed most. Widely recognised third-party certifications ensure systems are designed and tested for safety and effectiveness and are required in specific applications and locations.
In the European Union, EN 54-16 provides the product standard and application guidelines for voice alarm control and indicating equipment, while EN 54-24 specifies requirements for system loudspeakers and EN 54-4 for the power supply equipment. When specifying a PAVA system, it’s critical to choose a proven system certified to these standards.
Built-in redundancy further ensures system reliability. PAVA systems with no single point of failure include a backup power supply, redundant speaker lines, backup amplifier and a redundant main unit to meet even the most stringent requirements of highly regulated spaces such as government and military facilities.
2. Ensure scalability
As facilities grow and change over time, so do their emergency response needs. PAVA systems that easily adapt and accommodate new components maximise long-term PAVA system value. An all-in-one PAVA system includes a main unit with various channels, as well as inputs and outputs for customisation and expansion, including:
- Amplifier channels for speaker lines
- Inputs and outputs to integrate with the fire alarm
- Inputs for additional analogue audio signals
- General-purpose inputs and outputs to connect third-party systems
Leading systems can connect up to 4,096 microphones into the main unit and provide centralised control of up to 1,024 public address and emergency zones. These systems also allow for multiple main units to be networked on-site for additional reach.
3. Plan zones carefully
Map the entire facility and define speaker zones. Match floors or areas to daily use for background music and paging as well as emergency evacuation needs. Select the correct speaker and tapping depending on the environment, such as indoors versus outdoors.
4. Simplify installation
PAVA systems with plug-and-play designs simplify installation, integration and use. A unified system streamlines hardware and accessories previously required for multiple systems, resulting in fewer devices to install, commission and maintain. This reduces the total cost of ownership and delivers ongoing value that extends through the life of the system.
As PAVA systems are fire safety systems, in the European Union, they require compliance with CEN/TS 54-32 regulations that guide system design, installation, maintenance and measurement. After installation, the system must comply with two values: the sound pressure level (SPL) and speech transmission index (STI). SPL determines the audibility of the message and must be higher than ambient noise but lower than 20 decibels, while STI determines message intelligibility. Successfully achieving both values in a given building requires basic acoustic knowledge. To help installers complete confident installations, check whether system providers offer support and education.
5. Future-proof the investment
In today’s intelligent building environments, safety and daily-use systems must seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructure. Analogue PAVA systems work with fire alarms but lack the connectivity to network with other building technologies. In comparison, IP-based architectures allow easier integration with other systems like fire alarm, closed-circuit television (CCTV), access control or building automation systems (BAS).
Leading PAVA systems based on the AES67 communication protocol allow for the transmission of audio signals over IP. The open standard allows for seamless integration and interoperability in smart environments and also enables multicast streaming. Enterprise-level organisations can remotely broadcast audio information, announcements or background music from a central location via multiple PAVA systems set up in all sites at the same time.
Likewise, systems that leverage Modbus TCP/IP offer advanced integration with other systems present on-site, allowing the entire building to be managed from one control room.
To maintain system integrity and safeguard against cyberthreats, ensure systems adhere to robust cybersecurity standards such as IEC 62443-4-1 and 4-2.
6. Make regular testing and maintenance easy
Facility teams must implement routine drills, conduct annual system checks and monitor equipment health to ensure system performance when it matters most. Some providers offer remote system monitoring that makes tracking system health and performance easy for facility teams. Authorised users can access a mobile dashboard to check system status, and the system will send them a detailed notification if it experiences an emergency, fault or becomes disconnected.
Remote access software and cloud solutions also allow authorised installers and maintenance companies to connect to the system for commissioning, log checks and fault verification, which can minimise or even eliminate on-site visits. Software faults can be resolved by a technician from the office while for hardware faults, tools and replacement parts can be prepared for an on-site visit.
An advanced response
PAVA systems can serve and benefit any environment where safety and operational efficiency must go hand-in-hand. When selected for technical performance and operational ease, these systems simplify installation, streamline maintenance, reduce total cost of ownership and provide far greater value than what’s strictly required by code.
By following a few best practices for system selection, installation and use, specifiers can ensure that PAVA systems are not only compliant with current standards but also future-ready, offering scalability, security and seamless integration in modern infrastructures — now and in the future.
