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building, so they place a brick or stick in the door. This can be detected by the intrusion system and reported in several ways, starting with a loudspeaker near the door that plays a message to remind someone to close it. Other possibilities include sending an alert to the guard’s radio or notifying the police or security office to remedy the situation.
In addition, the intrusion system can incorporate portable help call or panic but- tons, allowing staff to call for help from any- where within a building. This, combined with the proper audio announcement, pro- vides for a safer environment.
This integration also allows the intrusion system to report the status of the public address system. For example, if the public address system has a malfunction—such as a disconnected speaker, a cut speaker line, or a disconnected network cable—this can be reported immediately to ensure it is resolved before the system is needed to perform.
Some public address/mass notification
systems can be integrated with the fire alarm system, allowing for audio evacuation of buildings. This increases safety by providing specific evacuation instructions to occupants based upon the location and type of event. Compared with fire alarm horns or bells, audio evacuation systems increase safety and efficiency.
Choosing the Right System
To ensure that a system performs properly when needed most, it is important to choose equipment that has been designed and approved for the purpose. Fortunately, Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the organi- zation that certifies equipment for perfor- mance and safety, has a standard for Mass Notification systems. UL standard 2572 describes the performance requirements for these systems, and UL tests equipment toward this standard. This makes it easy to choose the right equipment by making sure the public address system and any integrated
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systems have been tested and approved to UL2572. Systems may even have multiple UL approvals, allowing them to be used for fire alarm notification (UL864) in addition to safety.
Combining compatible building systems is the best way to provide an efficient and secure campus environment. Leveraging the investment in these systems for other needs such as non-emergency paging, background music, intrusion and fire detection helps maximize the use of these capital expendi- tures and ensures the system will help pro- tect students and staff when it is needed most.
Tom Mechler is the Regional Marketing Man- ager responsible for Intrusion Systems at Bosch Security and Safety Systems in North Ameri- ca. By working with customers, end users and industry professionals, he specializes in adapt- ing today’s technology to the needs of the alarm industry.
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