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This session will cover fire emergency voice/alarm communications systems (EVACS); the four tiers of mass notification systems (MNSs); two-way, in-building wired emergency services communications systems, radio communications enhancement systems; and area of refuge emergency communications systems.
Citation preview
An Overview of Emerging Communication Systems
NFPA Fire & Life Safety ConferenceDecember 13, 2010
Orlando, FL
Richard Roux
Emergency Communications Systems (ECS)
• Four types of ECS:– (1) Emergency Voice/Alarm Communications Systems
(EVACS)– (2) Mass Notification Systems (MNS)– (3) Two-Way, Emergency Communications Systems (ECS)– (4) Other Emergency Communications Systems (ECS)
NFPA 72® 2010 edition
NFPA 72-2010, Chapter 24, ECSEmergency Communications Systems (ECS)Chapter 2424.1, 24.2, 24.3
One-WayECS24.4
CombinationECS
Interfaces with MNS
PA Systems Used for ECS
In-BuildingFire EVACS24.4.1
In-BuildingMNS24.4.2
Wide-AreaMNS24.4.3
Distributed Recipient MNS24.4.4
Info. Command and Control24.6
Two-WayIn-Building ECS24.5
Two-Way Wired Emerg Svcs ECS24.5.1
Two-Way Radio Emerg Svcs ECS24.5.2
Area of Refuge ECS24.5.3
ElevatorECS24.5.4
Performance-Based Design24.7
NFPA 72-2010, Chapter 24, ECS
• Other chapters of NFPA 72 apply:– Fundamentals – Chapter 10– Circuits and Pathways – Chapter 12– Initiating Devices – Chapter 17– Notification Appliances – Chapter 18– Emergency Control Functions and Interfaces – Chapter 21– Protected Premises Fire Alarm Systems – Chapter 23– Supervising Station Alarm Systems – Chapter 26– Public Emergency Alarm Reporting Systems – Chapter 27 – Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance – Chapter 14
NFPA 72-2010, Chapter 24, ECS
• Chapter 24 establishes required levels of:– Performance– Reliability– Quality of installation
Audibility and Intelligibility
• Audibility:– Chapter 18 provides
requirements for:• Public Operating Mode• Private Operating Mode
• Intelligibility:– Systems must be capable
of the reproduction of:• Prerecorded• Synthesized• Or live (e.g., microphone,
telephone handset, radio)
– Messages must have voice intelligibility per Chapter 18
Ancillary Functions
• The EVACS or MNS can also be used for:– General paging– Background music– Other non-emergency
functions
• However:– These must not interfere
with the performance requirements of the fire alarm system or MNS
• Fire alarm system speakers providing ancillary functions can be used providing:– The fire command center is
constantly attended by trained personnel
– Selective paging is permitted by the AHJ
– The speakers and associated equipment are installed or located to resist tampering or misadjustment
– Monitoring integrity requirements continue to be met
Pathway Survivability• Applies to:
– Notification and communications circuits and other circuits necessary to ensure the continued operation of the ECS
• Applies to:– In-building EVACS– In-building MNS– Wide-area MNS– Two-way in-building wired ECS– Two-way radio communications enhancement systems– Area of refuge (area of rescue assistance) ECS– Elevator ECS– Central command station ECS– All other ECS circuits
Purpose of ECS
• For the protection of life:– Indicates the existence
of an emergency situation
– Communicates information necessary to facilitate an appropriate response and action
• Is intended to:– Communicate
information about emergencies:• Fire• Human-caused events
(accidental and intentional)
• Other dangerous situations
• Accidents• Natural disasters• Etc
Why ECS?
• Bells, Horns, Chimes, Strobes, etc. merely alert
• Information is sparse
• Textual (Audible and Visible):– Alert with specific
pertinent information– Live voice or prerecorded
messages provide specific information
– Messages can be in real time
– Can facilitate actions contingent on the emergency
Where is ECS Required?
• 24.3.2 requires installation:– In occupancies where
required by the AHJ– Or by other applicable
governing laws, codes, or standards:• Building Code• High-rise• Unified Facilities
Command (UFC)• Etc
• 24.3.3 permits Nonrequired (Voluntary) ECS, however:– ECS and components
must meet the requirements of Chapter 24
– Components must be identified on the record drawings
Emergency Voice/Alarm Communications Systems (EVACS)
• In-Building Fire Emergency Voice/Alarm Communications System– “Dedicated manual or
automatic equipment for originating and distributing voice instructions, as well as alert and evacuation signals pertaining to a fire emergency, to the occupants of a building”
Circuits and Pathways
• For systems providing relocation or partial evacuation:– Pathway survivability is
required:• Level 2• Or Level 3
• For systems that do not provide relocation or partial evacuation:– Pathway survivability is
required:• Level 0• Level 1• Level 2• Or Level 3
Mass Notification Systems (MNS)
• Three classifications of MNS:– In-Building MNS– Wide-Area MNS– Distributed Recipient
(DRMNS)
Four Tiers of MNS• Tier 1:
– Immediate and intrusive alerting– Sirens, indoor/outdoor loudspeakers– Fire voice evacuation– Electronic signage– Code-compliant system
• Tier 2:– Personal alerting– Short message service (SMS) text
(cell phones)– Computer pop-ups– Tone alert radios– Email broadcast (Internet)– Automated voice dialing and text
messaging
• Tier 3:– Public alerting– Satellite/AM/FM radio
broadcasts– Satellite/off-air TV
broadcasts– Location-specific messages– Text messages
• Tier 4:– Locally relevant alerting– Handheld bullhorns– Radio cell phones– Two-way radios
In-Building Mass Notification Systems
• Purpose:– To notify and instruct occupants in an emergency
Risk AnalysisEmergency Response Plan
• Risk Analysis:– Each application of MNS to
be specific as to the nature and anticipated risks of the facility
– Required to consider both fire and non-fire emergencies when determining risk tolerances for survivability for the MNS
– The risk analysis is used as the basis for development of the emergency response plan
• Emergency Response Plan Elements:– “A well-defined emergency
response plan shall be developed in accordance with NFPA 1600, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs, and NFPA 1620, Recommended Practice for Pre-Incident Planning, as part of the design and implementation of a mass notification system”
Priority Levels
• Determined by the emergency response plan:– Only MNS recorded
messages determined by the emergency response plan can be of higher priority than fire alarm (their activation can override the fire alarm notification)
– Activation of any other recorded message cannot interfere with the operation of fire alarm notification
• Priority levels:– Established by the
emergency response plan
MNS Documentation• Documentation is required:
– Record of Completion form– An owner’s manual including:
• Complete set of operations and maintenance manuals
• Manufacturer’s published instructions
• Product data sheets covering all system equipment
– Record drawings and as-built drawings
– Record copy of the system-specific software
– Emergency response plan
• Security for MNS documentation is determined by the stakeholders:– An appropriately sized as-
built plans cabinet must be provided to house the documentation
– The contents of the cabinet is only accessible to authorized personnel
MNS Security and Access
• Secure access of the fire alarm/MNS Interface:– Access to, and physical
protection of, the fire alarm/mass notification system interface is determined by the risk analysis and as defined in the emergency response plan
In-Building Mass Notification Systems
– Autonomous control unit (ACU) (primary control unit)
– Local operating console (LOC) (“A station used by authorized personnel and emergency responders to activate and operate an in-building mass notification system”)
– Fire alarm control interface– Notification appliance network– Initiating devices– Interface to other systems and
alerting sources
An In-Building MNS includes one or more of the following components:
Autonomous Control Unit (ACU)
• Autonomous Control Unit (ACU) (This is an optional component):– “The primary control
unit for an in-building MNS”
– The ACU monitors and controls the notification appliance network
– Authorized personnel can initiate communications from the ACU
System Operation
• Only authorized personnel are permitted to control message initiation
• Only where identified by the risk analysis can the MNS have the capability for authorized personnel to remotely activate live and prerecorded emergency messages
Live Voice Capability
• If live voice capability is provided:– Override previously
initiated signals to the selected notification zone(s)
– Have priority over any subsequent automatically initiated signals to the selected zone(s)
MNS Control
• A manual means at each MNS control location to permit the MNS to relinquish control of the fire alarm system
• During the period after the MNS has seized control of the audible notification appliances, but before the MNS relinquishes control, an audible and visible signal shall be actuated by the notification appliances at least once every 30 seconds
Multiple Control Locations
• Only one can be in control at any given time
• A visible indication must be provided at all other control locations indicating that another control location is in use
• Manual controls must be arranged to provide visible indication of the on/off status for their associated notification zone
Local Operating Console (LOC)
• “A station used by authorized personnel and emergency responders to activate and operate an in-building mass notification system”
• Authorized personnel can initiate communications from the LOC
• Requires protection against unauthorized use:– Lock wire seals– Break-glass-type
enclosures – Equivalent protection
• Controls must be clearly identified
In-Building Mass Notification Systems
• Control units installed as part of a MNS must be in compliance with this Code and applicable standards:– Applicable standards such as:
• ANSI/UL 864, Standard for Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems
• UL 2017, Standard for General-Purpose Signaling Devices and Systems
• Subject 2572, Outline of Investigation for Control and Communication Units for Mass Notification Systems
Fire Alarm Control Interface (FACI)
• Where a fire alarm system is installed and MNS is required, a FACI is required
• The barrier gateway must be listed
Fire Alarm Control Interface (FACI)
• FACI:– Coordinates signals between each system– Indicates failure– Provides indication to the fire alarm system that the MNS
is active– Deactivates fire alarm audible and visible notification
appliances that could interfere with MNS intelligibility– Does not permit the fire alarm system to disable
notification appliances for suppression systems– Provides signal to the supervising station
Speaker Circuits for MNS
• Speaker circuits used for mass notification that are not fire alarm circuits are exempt from the monitoring requirements, provided that alternate methods of achieving comparable reliability are accepted by the AHJ
• Speaker circuit survivability is determined by the risk analysis
MNS Message Content
• For an evacuation message, a tone in accordance with 18.4.2 (distinctive evacuation signal) must be used with a minimum of two cycles preceding and following the voice message
Speaker Volume Control
• Local volume control is permitted for:– Non-emergency signals:
• Background music • Building paging• Etc
– Upon activation of an emergency signal, the system overrides any local volume setting
Visible Notification
• Where audible notification is provided, the MNS shall also provide visible notification information:– Accomplished using
strobes (visible notification appliances)
• Video display systems are permitted:• Textual, graphic, or video
displays
Visible Appliances
• Strobes:– Required to meet the
requirements of 18.5 (Public Mode) or 18.6 (Private Mode), as appropriate
Visible Appliances
• Strobes used in combination systems where the same strobe is used for both mass notification and fire notification must be clear or nominal white, meeting the listing requirements of ANSI/UL 1971, Standard for Signaling Devices for the Hearing Impaired
• All strobes (regardless of color) are marked with their listed effective intensity
• Strobes used for mass notification must be listed to an applicable standard such as ANSI/UL 1971, Standard for Signaling Devices for the Hearing Impaired
• Strobes used for mass notification must meet the synchronization requirements of Section 18.5 (Public Mode)
Visible Appliances
• MNS/only strobes:– Must have the word
“Alert” stamped or imprinted on the appliance
– Be visible to the public
Visible Appliances
• If combo (FIRE/MNS) strobes are used:– Be clear or nominal white,
meeting the listing requirements of ANSI/UL 1971, Standard for Signaling Devices for the Hearing Impaired
– Have no marking or be marked with the word “ALERT” stamped or imprinted on the appliance
– Be visible to the public
Textual Visible Notification
• Textual visible appliances:– Meet the requirements of 18.9 (Textual Visible
Appliances)• 18.9.3.1 Private Mode• 18.9.3.2 Public Mode
– Intensity and readability are required– Must be listed for the purpose for which they are used– Appliances that receive their power from a MNS SLC must
be listed for use with the control unit– Most receive text data to display from the MNS
Textual Visible Notification
• Textual visible appliances must be monitored for integrity or loss of communication or be provided with:– Visual status indicators,
including loss of communication or loss of power, that are clearly visible on the appliance
Textual Visible Notification Appliance Character Size
• Characters must contrast with their background
• Light to dark or dark to light• Uppercase or lowercase, or
both• Conventional in form
– Not:• Italic• Oblique• Script• Highly decorative
• Percentage of height to width criteria
Textual Visible Notification Appliance Character Size
• For Public Mode, character size is based on:– Height to finished
floor or ground from baseline of character
– Horizontal viewing distance
– Must be 70 in. (min) (approx. 5.8 ft) AFF
• Examples:– Height Viewing
CharacterAFF Distance Height
<10 ft <15 ft 2 in. >10 ft <21 ft 3 in.
Initiating Devices• Devices initiating an automatic
response are evaluated based on the risk analysis
• Mass notification initiating devices must be listed for their intended purpose
• Where no listed device exists for the detection required by the emergency response plan, nonlisted devices are permitted to be used if their failure will not impair the operation of the MNS
• Non-fire emergency manual actuating stations (boxes):– Must be listed with an
applicable standard, such as ANSI/UL 2017, Standard for General Purpose Signaling Devices and Systems
– Have tactile markings– Be of a contrasting color to
manual fire alarm boxes of the protected premises, and not be red
– Be installed similarly to manual fire alarm boxes in accordance with Chapter 17
MNS with Other Voice Systems
• MNS with Other Voice Systems:– EVACS– Public Address (PA)
System(s)
MNS with EVACS
• Listing:– All components that
affect operation of fire alarm system require listing for fire alarm use with an applicable standard such as ANSI/UL 864, Standard for Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems
MNS with Public Address (PA) System(s)
• PA system(s):– Can be used for MNS
when evaluated to determine applicability and compliance
– Must comply with Chapter 24 and the risk analysis
• Emergency messages must have priority
• Speaker volume controls must default to emergency sound levels
• Monitoring of circuit integrity is required
• Visible notification appliances could be required
MNS Interface with Other Systems
• MNS is permitted to interface to building controls per the risk analysis and as permitted by the AHJ:– Examples include:
• Air-handling control• Door control• Elevator control• Etc
• In-building MNS is permitted to interface with Wide-Area MNS per the risk analysis and AHJ
• Wide-area MNS cannot normally activate In-building MNS
In-Building Mass Notification Systems
• Circuits and Pathways:– Pathway survivability is
required:• Level 0 • Or greater if determined
by the risk analysis
Secondary Power Supply
• In-building MNS secondary power:– Operate the system
under quiescent load for a minimum of 24 hours and then 15 minutes at maximum connected load
Secondary Power Supply for Textual Visible Appliances
• Sufficient secondary power to operate for a minimum of 2 hours of continuous display time during an emergency event
• If a textual visible appliance, other than the main control unit, is not on a dedicated branch circuit, it shall have a primary source of power and a secondary source of power and be monitored for power integrity in accordance with Section 10.5
Wide-Area Mass Notification Systems
• A wide-area MNS includes one or more of the following components:– Central control station (emergency communications
control unit (ECCU))– High power speaker array (HPSA)
Wide-Area Mass Notification Systems
• Based on the risk analysis, wide-area MNS shall have:– Multiple levels of
password protection access control, including levels for:• System operators• Maintainers• Supervisors• Executives• Or other means to limit
access
• Permitted to connect to:– Regional MNSs– Public emergency alarm
reporting systems, as defined in this Code
– Public reporting systems as defined in NFPA 1221, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems
Central Control Station• Central Control Station:
– “A mass notification system facility(s) with communications and control equipment serving one or more buildings where responsible authorities receive information from premises sources or systems or from (higher level) regional or national sources or systems and then disseminate appropriate information to a building, multiple buildings, outside campus areas, or a combination of these in accordance with the emergency response plan established for the premises”
High Power Speaker Array (HPSA)
• High Power Speaker Array (HPSA):– “High power speaker
arrays provide capability for voice and tone communications to large outdoor areas”
High Power Speaker Array (HPSA)
• Requirements:– Intelligible voice and
audible tone communications
– Secondary power for 7 days in standby, followed by 60 minutes of operation at full load
– Voice and tone
• HPSA Enclosures:– NEMA 4 or 4X– Latching supervisory
signals to the central control station• Intrusion detection• Door in open position
High Power Speaker Array (HPSA)
• Requirements:– All external conductors
require surge protection– HPSA cannot be used
inside structures– HPSAs and supporting
structures require design for:• Structural loads• Wind loads• Seismic loads
• Installation requirements:– At minimum
mounting height based on rated output
– At height and orientation to prevent hearing damage
Textual Visible Notification
• Textual visible appliances shall meet the requirements of Section 18.9 and 24.4.2.21
Wide-Area Mass Notification Systems
• For information flow from the remote control center, a predefined control hierarchy is required between:– Wide-area MNS– In-building MNS– Regional MNS– And information from
specific locations
• Requires primary and redundant communications link
• Must be electrically and operationally compatible
Wide-Area Mass Notification Systems
• Circuits and Pathways:– Pathway survivability is
required:• Level 0 • Or greater if determined
by the risk analysis
Distributed Recipient Mass Notification Systems
• Distributed Recipient Mass Notification System (DRMNS):– “A distributed recipient
mass notification system is a system meant to communicate directly to targeted individuals and groups that might not be in a contiguous area”
Distributed Recipient Mass Notification Systems
• Send alert messages to target recipients
• Installed behind the appropriate firewalls to provide network integrity
• Be capable of sending alert messages to end-users (recipients) via multiple delivery methods
• Tier Examples:• Tier 2:
– Personal alerting– Short message service (SMS)
text (cell phones)– Computer pop-ups– Email broadcast (Internet)
• Tier 3:– Public alerting– Text messages
• Tier 4:– Radio cell phones– Two-way radios
Distributed Recipient Mass Notification Systems
• “Distributed recipient mass notification system (DRMNS) alerting shall not be used in lieu of required audible and visible alerting mass notification systems but shall be integrated with mass notification systems whenever possible”
• Tier architecture
Two-Way, In-Building Emergency Communications Systems
• Two-Way, In-Building Wired Emergency Services Communications Systems
• Two-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems
Two-Way, In-Building Wired Emergency Services Communications Systems
• Wired:– Listed for two-way
telephone communications service
– Collocated with in-building fire EVACS equipment
– Monitored for integrity per 10.17.2
Two-Way, In-Building Wired Emergency Services Communications Systems
• Used by:– Emergency responders– Fire wardens
• At control unit:– Call-in notification
signal– If selective talk, a
distinctive visible indicator is furnished for each circuit
• Required at:– Each floor level– Each notification zone– Each elevator cab– Elevator lobbies– Elevator machine room(s)– Emergency and standby power
room(s)– Fire pump room(s)– Area(s) of refuge– Each floor level inside an
enclosed exit stair(s)– Other room(s) or area(s) as
required by the AHJ
Two-Way, In-Building Wired Emergency Services Communications Systems
• Telephone jacks:– If provided, two or more
portable handsets to be available
Two-Way, In-Building Wired Emergency Services Communications Systems
• Circuits and Pathways:– Pathway survivability is
required:• Level 2• Or Level 3
Two-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems
• Radio:– Operates on frequencies
assigned to the jurisdiction by the FCC
– Must not cause interference
– Plans are submitted prior to installation
– Successful acceptance testing is required
Two-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems
• May require amplification:– Radiating cable system
or distributed antenna system (DAS)
– FCC-certified signal boosters
Two-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems
• Coverage:– Provided throughout
the building as a percentage of floor area
• General building areas:– 90% floor area radio
coverage
• Critical areas coverage:– (99% floor area radio
coverage)• Emergency command
center(s)• Fire pump room(s)• Exit stairs• Exit passageways• Elevator lobbies• Standpipe cabinets• Sprinkler sectional valve
locations• Other areas deemed critical
by the AHJ
Two-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems
• Components:– Approved and
compatible with the public safety radio system:• Repeaters• Transmitters• Receivers• Signal boosters• Cabling• Fiber-distributed antenna
systems
• Enclosures:– NEMA 4 or 4X
Two-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems
• System monitoring:– Automatic supervisory
and trouble signals for malfunctions of the signal booster(s) and power supply(ies) are annunciated by the fire alarm system:• Integrity of the circuit
monitoring signal booster(s) and power supply(ies) per 10.17.1
• System and signal booster supervisory signals:– Antenna malfunction– Signal booster failure
• Power supply supervisory signals include the following for each signal booster:– Loss of normal ac
power– Failure of battery
charger– Low-battery capacity,
alarming at 70 percent of battery capacity
Two-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems
• Dedicated Panel:– Provided at the
emergency command center to annunciate the status of all signal booster locations
– Panel provides visual and labeled indication for each signal booster:• Normal ac power• Signal booster trouble• Loss of normal ac power• Failure of battery charger• Low-battery capacity
Two-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems
• Circuits and Pathways:– Pathway survivability is
required:– (exclusive of the
antennae)• Level 2• Or Level 3
• System must be approved by the AHJ
Other Communications Systems
• Area of Refuge (Area of Rescue Assistance) Emergency Communications Systems
• Elevator Emergency Communications Systems
Area of Refuge (Area of Rescue Assistance) ECS
• Comprised of:– Remotely located area of
refuge stations– A central control point
master station
Central Control Point Station
• Physical location:– Designated by the
building code or AHJ
• If central control point is not constantly attended:– Shall have a timed
automatic communications capability to connect with a constantly attended monitoring location
Area of Refuge Station
• Shall provide for:– Hands-free operation– Two-way communication– Audible and visible signal
to indicate communication has occurred
• Instructions for use:– Instructions must be
posted adjacent– Station must have
written identification– Must also be in Braille
Area of Refuge (Area of Rescue Assistance) ECS
• Circuits and Pathways:– Pathway survivability is
required:• Level 2• Or Level 3
• Circuits intended to transmit off-premises:– Pathway survivability is
required:• Level 0• Level 1• Level 2• Or Level 3
Elevator ECS
• Installed in accordance with ANSI/ASME A17.1a/CSA B44a, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
• Circuits and Pathways:– Pathway survivability is
required:• Level 0• Level 1• Level 2• Or Level 3
Thank you