Valves
Pipework Systems 
Gent argue that rack mounted voice alarm systems may soon be overtaken by the distributed approach
The Vigilon Voice distributed voice alarm
system from Gent by Honeywell is a wall-mounted system that can
meet the needs of the most complex site. It delivers high
quality audio announcements, with full digital signal processing
to ensure that messages are always intelligible; this keeps
confusion and panic to a minimum. It can be easily accommodated
and configured, and has many advantages over a traditional rack
mounted system.
Full integration of the voice alarm system with the fire
detection system means that it shares the fault resilience
designed into the Vigilon fire system, and will continue to work
long after most other voice alarm systems would fail. The
distributed architecture means that amplifiers are sited at the
point of delivery, and this saves on cable installation and
improves power efficiency.
The modular approach to the design of the Vigilon voice system
makes it easier to expand or to modify if the building
application or requirements change; simply add extra Distributed
Amplifier Units to the fire loop. Distributed Amplifier Units
with locally stored messages situated throughout the building
mean that even if the voice alarm network fails, emergency
messages are still delivered throughout the whole system. The
architecture also provides a safe and flexible solution to suit
multi-user sites by allowing flexible messaging with
combinations of live and pre-recorded messages as well as
central and local inputs for background music and public
address. Complementary functions such as ambient noise sensing
and volume control can be installed at local amplifier units
without complex cabling or any need for additional control
equipment.
The user interface for the Distributed Amplifier Unit and the
fire detection system itself is shared; so all functions can be
performed centrally. And by using Vigilon’s loop interfaces,
Distributed Amplifier Units are configured into the fire plan in
the same way as sounders. This means design and commissioning
skills and rules are easy to learn for fire engineers, one of
the added benefits from reduced cost of ownership from what is
essentially two systems in one.
As you would expect from Gent, the Vigilon Voice system is fully
compliant with BS 5839-8, which is the Design and Application
code of practice for Voice Alarm systems. Compliant standby
amplification is provided at no extra cost and without any need
for special consideration during the design stage.
Email:
beryl@adrempr.co.uk