Safety and accessibility are major issues for establishments open to the public (ERP). That’s why sounding alarm systems is an essential part of disaster prevention.
Indeed, the broadcasting of safety messages and instructions is essential for evacuating premises quickly and efficiently in the event of fire, natural or industrial disaster. To this end, standard EN54-16 specifies all the tests required to certify the conformity of public address products.
Reminder: what is the EN54 standard?
The EN 54 series of standards covers fire detection and fire alarm systems. It includes product standards and application guidelines for fire detection and voice alarm systems.
This set of standards defines all the requirements, test methods and characteristics used to determine the effectiveness and reliability of fire detection and alarm products. Systems must pass environmental and safety tests.
Finally, only systems that comply with the requirements of standard EN54 (shutters EN54-16, EN54-24 and EN54-4) are eligible for CE marking. It is the responsibility of the manufacturer or its representatives to have their products certified by an independent body.
What are the specifics of EN54-16?
Part 16 of the EN54 standard (EN54-16) concerns the electronic products included in the public address cabinet. It defines the requirements for voice alarm control and signalling equipment (ECSAV) used in SSIs where the alarm signal is broadcast in the form of voice messages.
Like the EN54-2 standard on which it is based, EN54-16 defines both mandatory and optional functions that can be fulfilled by products.
While the mandatory functions ensure the quality and smooth operation of the systems, the optional options (audible signal, timers, coordinated evacuation, etc.) can be integrated for specific applications. This is why they are sometimes included in certain national or local regulations.
Good to know: the requirements and performance criteria set out in EN54-16 must be applied to the entire sound and evacuation system, not just to individual components.
What are the objectives of EN54-16?
Coupled with the NF S61-932 installation standard (Règles d’Installation des Systèmes de Sécurité Incendie), section 16 of the EN54-16 standard meets several requirements:
- ensure the availability and functionality of the public address system at all times;
- automatic monitoring and signalling of system faults (malfunction of loudspeakers, equipment, etc.);
- guarantee the availability of a second power supply in the event of the first going out of service;
- guarantee the possibility of broadcasting voice messages in addition to the audible evacuation signal;
- ensure that safety messages are intelligible to a wide range of audiences (including people with disabilities) at all points in the building;
- schedule mandatory maintenance and system verification tests at the rate of two inspections per year.
Would you like to find out more about public address products for fire and evacuation? ADF Systèmes makes it a point of honor to help you choose the products and solutions best suited to your industrial safety and risk management needs. Let’s talk about it!
