National standards for evacuation compliance

SMART Mining Security Solutions 2023 Mining (Industry), Access Control & Identity Management, Products & Solutions

Issued in February 2020 in terms of the National Building Regulations and Building Standard Act, the updated SANS 10400-T: 2020 standard outlines the compliance requirements for both voice alarm and evacuation and fire detection systems.

According to the standard, buildings over four storeys high and/or in excess of any floor area of more than 5000 m², require a voice alarm system. These different types of buildings include (but are not limited to) high risk commercial service, moderate risk commercial service, low risk commercial service, high risk industrial, moderate risk industrial, hospitals, office and dormitories.

What is a voice evacuation (VE) and voice alarm (VA) system?

The primary purpose of a VE/VA system is to provide voice-prompted guidance to evacuate a building during an emergency (such as fire, bomb threat, viral outbreak and industrial accidents, chemical spills etc.) in order to prevent loss of life and property.

The VE/VA system has the benefit of providing calm and clear live, pre-recorded, and/or customised voice messages to guide occupants to safety; studies show that clearer instructions cause less panic and confusion in an emergency situation and the differentiating factor of the VA/VE is the live message capability, which distinguishes it from a voice sounder.

Added benefits of a TOA VE/VA system:

• Can be integrated with most fire detection systems (provided that sufficient relays are supplied).

• The same system can be used for the secondary benefits of public address, zone or all-call paging and background music.

• TOA’s systems are scalable and flexible, meeting the requirements for any type or size of building.

• TOA VA/VE Features include EN54-16 certified, DSP (high quality audio), energy efficiency, centralisation/decentralisation, phased evacuation, remote maintenance via LAN, event logging, emergency power supply/backup and more.

• An extensive variety of audio speakers (EN54 certified or non-certified) are available for various applications and environments, including horns, explosion proof, chemical room speakers etc.


Credit(s)




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Empower individuals to control their biometric data
Information Security Access Control & Identity Management Security Services & Risk Management
What if your biometrics, now embedded in devices, workplaces, and airports, promising seamless access and enhanced security, was your greatest vulnerability in a cyberattack? Cybercriminals are focusing on knowing where biometric data is stored.

Read more...
Security industry embraces mobile credentials, biometrics and AI
AI & Data Analytics Access Control & Identity Management Integrated Solutions
As organisations navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape, security leaders are making strategic shifts toward unified platforms and emerging technologies, according to the newly released 2025 State of Security and Identity Report from HID.

Read more...
Bosch sells product business to Triton
Bosch Building Technologies News & Events Products & Solutions Facilities & Building Management
Bosch is selling its Building Technologies division’s product business for security and communications technology to the European investment firm Triton. The division is set to focus on systems integration business in the future.

Read more...
Nice launches DC Blue Astute garage door motor
Nice Group South Africa Technews Publishing News & Events Access Control & Identity Management Perimeter Security, Alarms & Intruder Detection
Nice Systems SA has launched the Nice DC Blue Astute, a garage door motor for the South African market featuring a pre-installed lithium-ion battery instead of traditional lead-acid batteries.

Read more...
Empower individuals to control their biometric data
Information Security Access Control & Identity Management Security Services & Risk Management
What if your biometrics, now embedded in devices, workplaces, and airports, promising seamless access and enhanced security, was your greatest vulnerability in a cyberattack? Cybercriminals are focusing on knowing where biometric data is stored.

Read more...
Workforce management automation for Transguard
IoT & Automation Products & Solutions
Invixium and RTLS-connected worker solutions have been selected to supply 400 rugged biometric solution, IXM TITAN, for time tracking at work sites for Transguard Group, a subsidiary of Emirates Group.

Read more...
Smart access for a safer community
neaMetrics Suprema Access Control & Identity Management Residential Estate (Industry) Products & Solutions Commercial (Industry)
Suprema has released its BioEntry W3 facial authentication access control device with multiple authentication options, including RFID cards as well as mobile credentials, designed for durability and resilience.

Read more...
Smarter ways to secure your space
Elvey Security Technologies Access Control & Identity Management Products & Solutions
Ensuring the safety of people and assets has become more crucial than ever, and access control systems provide essential tools to regulate and monitor who can enter specific areas or access sensitive resources.

Read more...
Federated identity orchestration
Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions Editor's Choice Access Control & Identity Management Security Services & Risk Management AI & Data Analytics
Understanding exactly who resides at the end of a digital device is key, and simple identity number verification by the Department of Home Affairs is no longer a viable solution on its own.

Read more...
Guarding data privacy
Suprema Access Control & Identity Management Products & Solutions
Suprema’s BioEntry W3 is designed with data privacy as a top priority, addressing concerns through its display-free design and highly secure ‘Template on Mobile’ (ToM) authentication, making data privacy a top priority.

Read more...