One-Way Emergency Communications Systems are intended to broadcast informational messages, in an emergency, to people in one or more specified indoor or outdoor areas. These messages can be activated by automatic or manual activation to broadcast multiple pre-recorded emergency messages, specific to the type of emergency; by audible, visible, or textual means, or any combination thereof, using the same system, devices and backbone. The purpose of One Way Emergency Communications Systems is to protect life by indicating an emergency situation exists and instructing people to take certain, necessary and appropriate action(s). This is done through specific automated and live voice messages using speakers, in combination with visual notification.
One Way Emergency Communications Systems are much better than the typical fire alarm systems using standard notification devices, which only offer evacuation notifications thru horns and strobes. This only allows you to notify the occupants to evacuate the building due to a fire, without the capability of voice instructions. While this may be a great start, there are too many other emergencies that could arise in today’s world that need addressed as well. One-Way Emergency Communications Systems provide the flexibility to address these other types of emergencies.
While these systems also offer fire alarm evacuation, they do so through automatic voice instructions giving occupants specific instructions, as opposed to standard evacuation alerts using standard notification devices. One Way Emergency Communications Systems use speakers to deliver their messages to allow for more flexibility and specific messages depending on the type of emergency. Using the same notification devices you also have the ability to incorporate different messages for different types of emergencies specific to what action should be taken for said emergency.
Take a weather emergency or example, with a tornado warning, it can give you specific and automatic voice instructions to take shelter and where to take shelter. One-way emergency communication systems can also act as quick notifications to occupants in a security threat situation, notifying occupants of armed intruders in the building while giving automatic voice instructions on what to do. It can also provide hazardous material messages with automatic voice instructions. One example may be for food processing facilities in the event of ammonia leaks or other hazardous materials. The system, can again, give specific instructions on what to do and where to go for that specific emergency. These are just a few examples of typical scenarios designed and implemented into One Way Emergency Communications Systems.
Different types of facilities have different types of emergencies that they must be prepared for and must design into their systems. This is where a professional Risk Analysis comes into play. Risk Analysis factors in many variables but the main goal is to determine the different types of emergencies a facility may face and to incorporate those results into the design of the Emergency Communications System accordingly.
Microphones can also be placed throughout the building where live voice instructions can be given as needed after the automatic message is delivered. These come in handy for responding authorities to communicate and give occupants further instructions and/or updates on the status of the situation or emergency.
As you can see, One Way Emergency Communications designed into your fire alarm system can give you many more options and benefits (using the same system) to various different emergency threats that may come up on such short notice. Large cities/municipalities and even some states are already mandating fire alarm system designs to incorporate One Way Emergency Communications as part of their fire alarm systems because of the additional life safety options and benefits they offer. The quicker the response to a life threatening emergency, the more chance to save lives.
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