PAVA systems are installed within buildings where there is a need to provide clear concise spoken messages either for general day to day messages or in the event of an emergency to safely evacuate occupants also provide Public Address and background music facilities as standard. In an emergency situation such as a fire, it is essential that people are evacuated safely and in the shortest possible time.

Electronic sounders and bells are commonly used as fire alarm warnings; however research has shown that people are less likely to panic when presented with a clear and easily understood message.

Benefits of Public Address / Voice Alarm

• Advanced solutions for diverse applications: multi-level buildings; campuses; retail stores and malls; warehouses and factories; airports, train and bus stations; restaurants and sports bars; theme parks and convention halls
• Reproduce a live or pre-recorded voice message directed to a person or group outside of the originator’s hearing distance
• Music (sometimes called “program”) distribution
• Networked controls allow for smaller main control consoles
• Transmit audio communication via LAN/WAN infrastructure and the Internet

SO WHY USE PAVA SYSTEMS?

If the need for a PA system exists throughout the building or as mentioned an evacuation strategy would require a phased evacuation then utilising a PAVA system is a natural choice providing cost effectiveness and increased flexibility.

It is also worth noting that research has proven that in an emergency people will react without confusion or panic if they receive a clear, intelligible message. Traditional fire detection bells and sounders only give a warning sound, it can sometimes be unclear what that warning is. Phased evacuation using clear, easily understood, pre-recorded messages ensure that untrained personnel, visitors to your building or members of the public are evacuated speedily and efficiently and are fully aware of what is required of them

PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (PA)

These are used to page and relay messages to the building occupants. Messages can be automatic or manual via microphones at security or reception desks. These systems can also be of use for background music. They are flexible and have the ability to send different signals, messages or music to different areas of your building at the same time

VOICE ALARM SYSTEMS (VA OR PAVA)

These systems have all the benefits of the above, however in the event of an activation of the fire detection system, the PA system will instigate the automatic evacuation of the building. Speakers replace traditional sounders or bells driven from the fire detection system they provide a spoken message asking people to leave the building (Evacuate) or advise people there is a potential need to leave the building and to wait for further instructions (Alert.) These speakers are the same speakers (although must confirm to the standard) used for day to day paging and music. This provides some cost effectiveness for a building, removing the need to purchase and install both traditional fire alarm sounders and public address speakers for each room or area.

VA systems also provide the greatest level of building evacuation flexibility, meaning that if your building (or buildings) has the requirement for some areas to be evacuated whilst other areas are put on alert or even required to remain unaware of the evacuation then this can be easily achieved. This is also known as ‘Phased Evacuation’ This can be combined with the latest intelligent fire detection panels to automatically change from Alert to Evacuate and to make further areas aware of the incident dependant upon where signals from the fire detection system appear, giving you a combined paging and emergency evacuation system that is cost effective, flexible and user friendly