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Emergency evacuation

In the case of an emergency, well-trained staff, rehearsed in the evacuation drill and all fully aware of the emergency exits, can help evacuate the shopping centre to a certain extent. However, if a fire breaks out in a crowded shopping centre, the ratio of staff to customers is not sufficient to enable them to ensure that all the customers quickly exit the building, or move away from the danger zone. Any delays in this evacuation could mean the difference between life and death.

A fire detection system that sounds alarms definitely attracts attention, alerting shoppers to potential danger and the need to leave the building quickly, but without clear instructions and directions to the closest exit points, this situation can create panic which often turns an emergency into a calamity.

In situations like this, a voice evacuation system is essential as a part of the life safety systems designed for public protection - giving clear, concise instructions in a calm and non-threatening manner

A voice evacuation system is similar to public address system, providing announcements and music throughout the facility. The main difference is that the entire system is monitored and designed to continue to function even when other systems have failed

A voice system can also be used to broadcast seemingly 'innocent' messages to alert staff to a possible threat - for example "Mr Jones, please report to office 3", could mean "Security go to section three to respond to a bomb threat". This innocuous message can alert the correct people, without alarming customers, until the threat can be assessed.

As with all life safety systems, it is important that the system is kept operating at all times. Correct equipment selection and design is important, especially as the design must be fail-safe. This covers all aspects of the system from the type of cable used and how it is installed to the provision of redundant amplifiers on standby waiting to fill the gap should an amplifier fail.

In the event of a fire, the fire detection system automatically sends a command to the voice evacuation system via its control inputs or triggers. Depending on the design of the system, the evacuation can be done in stages, with the people closest to the danger being the first to leave, followed systematically by the other areas if necessary. The system can also illuminate exit signs to make them easier to find, as well as open fire doors and emergency exits

Bosch has a range of products that meet specifications specifically set out for voice evacuation - from the Plena Voice Alarm system, which is an analogue system that meets EN60849 specifications, serving up to six zones and 240 W in a single 3U housing (expandable to 60 zones and over 9000 W) to the fully programmable, top of the range Praesideo Digital System.

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