nfpa72 emergingcommsystemsorlando2010

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


– 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


• 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 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


• 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)


• 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”


• 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


• 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 appliances shall meet the requirements of Section 18.9 and 24.4.2.21


• 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



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”


• 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 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


• 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


• Telephone jacks:– If provided, two or more

portable handsets to be available

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


• May require amplification:– Radiating cable system

or distributed antenna system (DAS)

– FCC-certified signal boosters


• 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


• 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


• 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


• 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



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 intended to transmit off-premises:– Pathway survivability is


Elevator ECS

• Installed in accordance with ANSI/ASME A17.1a/CSA B44a, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators



Thank you

nfpa72 emergingcommsystemsorlando2010

Education

requirements of chapter

mnspa systems

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