A Mass Notification System (MNS) is also referred to as an Emergency Communication System (ECS) with both terms used interchangeably to identify a system which provides real-time information to notify all occupants of a facility or campus and the immediate vicinity of emergency situations. The United States Department of Defense outlines necessary criteria for mass notification and emergency communication systems in the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) publication.
Emergency communication systems must also comply with standards set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), theAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the International Building Code (IBC), OSHA and FEMA’s Outdoor Public Alerting System.
In our last post, Mass Notification Systems are Much More Than an Alarm, we outlined the main code requirements from the UFC and the NFPA, and the components of an MNS. Every school, college and campus must understand the local, state and federal code requirements of an emergency communication system, which are necessary but can seem overwhelming.
Incorporating the assistance of a fire safety system professional early in the process will save time, money, and ensure adherence to regulations. High Rise Security Systems, HRSS, provides total code compliance including datasheets to assist with permit approval to commercial facilities and educational institutions in Illinois.
School and Campus Safety Risk Analysis
Prior to the design and implementation of an Emergency Communication System, a thorough risk analysis must be completed to identify threats most relevant to the unique campus situation. It is important to gather all relevant stakeholders which typically include:
Facility owners and Board of Directors
Facility safety directors and emergency management officials
Security officials of the campus
Facilities maintenance personnel
Local first responders
Fire alarm design professional
Fire alarm system integrator
Risk analysis must include potential threats relevant to the specific campus. For example, schools and campuses located in the Midwest should include an emergency plan with instructions on how to respond during tornadoes. Whatever your unique situation, including all relevant stakeholders and school professionals in the process will help to identify all threats so that the selected team can prioritize them and determine where to focus attention to mitigate risk.
While all steps and security measures should be taken to prepare for natural disasters and to prevent the intrusion of harmful individuals, risk analysis must also include a plan for when these measures fail. How will you let the occupants know that a situation exists and the best way to respond? How will you communicate evacuation procedures or changes in procedures for certain areas?
Campuses benefit from a multifaceted approach, with life and safety systems that provide emergency communication of unique messages that can change with the situation, allowing facilities to deliver the right message, at the right time, to the right people.
Emergency communication systems can deliver notifications to occupants in various ways, which may include:
Prerecorded or live voice announcements delivered inside or outside the building
Digital signs where a warning could be displayed and updated
Social media alerts
Text messages
Texting alerts are highly effective as they are quickly seen on most devices and are hard to miss. Digital signs, social media and text alerts are also beneficial in loud arenas like sporting or music events. Strobe lights can help to grab the attention of the listener and are proven to make an audible message more effective.
Risk analysis must also include identifying the situations in which the ECS would be deployed, and the best methods for communication to reach the intended occupants. Once the risk analysis is complete and all participants agree on the plan, a fire alarm system design professional can provide guidance on the proper system design and integration.
Involve a Fire Alarm System Professional Early for Best Results
High-Rise Security Systems, HRSS, is a qualified fire alarm system design and integration professional, experienced in working with risk analysis teams to develop and enhance an effective Emergency Communication System and overall fire, life and safety system.
Best results including lower costs, adherence to all codes and regulations and a smooth installation of a high-performing, reliable ECS and fire safety system occurs when incorporating professional fire and safety system consultants early in the risk analysis process.
Emergency Communication and Fire Alarm Systems
Emergency Communication Systems are required to contain features similar to fire alarm systems which include:
Survivability
Supervision
Backup power
Intelligibility
Consistent maintenance and testing
Some PA systems may offer ECS services, but many lack these mandated requirements. Working with a licensed fire alarm system professional ensures the adherence to all code requirements with approved equipment and proper placement of all sensors and devices. Meeting code regulations, however, is only one part of the overall safety system design. A timely and organized evacuation in time of emergency is a critical consideration of all emergency communication systems.
An experienced fire and safety system professional can ensure that safety and evacuation measures are put in place that go above and beyond code requirements to provide additional safety measures relevant to your unique building structures.
Integrated ECS and fire alarm systems offer both public and private mode signaling, with web- based systems designed to prioritize hazard announcements to targeted audiences. High Rise Security Systems provides safety system design for protection in educational institutions from fire, natural disasters and intrusion which must be the highest priority of all educational facilities.
HRSS is experienced in protecting several educational institutions in Illinois including Chicago public schools, the University of Chicago, the Loyola school of medicine, the University of Illinois at Chicago and many other campuses. Including the fire system professionals at HRSS in your advanced planning phases will minimize costs while providing a thoroughly developed, code compliant and effective fire and safety system.
