This European Standard does not apply to emergency sound systems used for evacuation in case of fire emergency, whether connected to a fire detection and fire alarm system or not.. k In
Principal features
An emergency sound system must enable the clear broadcasting of vital information regarding safety measures to protect lives in designated coverage areas.
The emergency system must immediately disable non-emergency functions, such as music and general announcements, upon alarm activation, unless otherwise agreed It should remain operational at all times, with alternative communication methods in place during maintenance or repairs The system must broadcast an attention-drawing signal within 3 seconds of entering emergency mode, either manually or automatically triggered by a detection system It should be capable of delivering simultaneous attention-drawing signals and speech messages to multiple areas, with at least one signal preceding each message by 4 to 10 seconds Monitoring systems must provide real-time feedback on the system's functionality, indicating any failures in the critical signal path, while ensuring that the failure of a single amplifier or loudspeaker does not compromise coverage in more than one zone Attention-drawing signals must be distinguishable and broadcasted whenever silence exceeds 10 seconds, with intervals between messages not exceeding 30 seconds.
All messages must be clear, concise, and pre-planned whenever possible Pre-recorded messages should be stored in a non-volatile solid-state system, which must be continuously monitored for availability and designed to prevent external corruption The content and language of all messages must be approved by the purchaser or relevant authorities Additionally, the system should allow for the division into emergency loudspeaker zones as required by evacuation procedures, with specific criteria to guide the determination of these zones.
The clarity of messages transmitted in a specific area must be maintained at a minimum standard of 5.1, ensuring that the broadcasting of messages from other areas or multiple sources does not diminish this requirement.
2) no emergency detection zone shall contain more than one emergency loudspeaker zone For non-emergency use, a loudspeaker zone may be subdivided l) A secondary power source shall be available (see 5.6).
Responsible person
The individual or organization in charge of the premises must designate a "responsible person," identified by name or job title, to ensure the system is properly maintained and repaired, allowing it to function as intended.
The responsible person shall be appropriately trained and have the authority and resources to carry out the task effectively.
Priorities
It is necessary to decide upon an order of priority for the message distribution based upon:
— the perceived risk to occupants, which may require manual override of the programmed response
Events should be prioritized based on their urgency, with recommended primary levels including: a) evacuate – for life-threatening situations requiring immediate action; b) alert – for dangerous situations that necessitate warnings of potential evacuation; and c) non-emergency – for operational messages such as system tests Additional subgroups may be beneficial depending on the site's operational strategies.
The use of these levels in descending order of priority will ensure that appropriate alarm signals and messages are provided first to the zones immediately at risk
If the sound system is capable of operation in fully automatic mode, a facility shall be available to control:
— the type of pre-recorded message being broadcast;
— the distribution of messages to different zones;
— real-time instructions or information to occupants via the emergency microphone (if any is provided)
Manual intervention options are available to override automated functions related to message broadcasting and distribution paths Controls at the central and designated remote points enable users to start or stop pre-recorded alarm messages, select suitable pre-recorded messages, toggle loudspeaker zones on or off, and broadcast live messages through an emergency microphone if available.
NOTE These manual controls may form part of an emergency control panel
It is essential to provide continuing operator and staff training in the use of all manual controls
The emergency control microphone shall have the highest level of priority for access to the sound system, with provision to allow it to override all other broadcasts.
Safety requirements
The safety requirements applying to emergency sound systems of EN 60065 shall apply
The system's mechanical design must ensure that no component can cause injury to individuals due to internally generated heat, explosions, or implosions Additionally, for installations in hazardous or explosive environments, compliance with the safety standards outlined in the EN 60079 series is essential.
Speech intelligibility
The average speech intelligibility within 90% of each Accessible Design Area (ADA) and in any other spaces exceeding 10 m² must be evaluated according to the methods outlined in Annexes A and B, achieving a minimum STI value of 0.45 and an average of at least 0.50 on the STI scale While these requirements represent a reasonable baseline, achieving them may be challenging in highly reverberant environments or areas with elevated noise levels In such instances, a mutually agreed-upon acceptable level of intelligibility should be established by relevant authorities and stakeholders, and properly documented.
Refer to Annexes A and B for the conversion between the Speech Transmission Index (STI) and other intelligibility scales It is essential to report the ambient noise level, as detailed in Annex B, during the measurement period, along with the test signal level, when presenting the test results.
Automatic status indication
For automatic status indication for emergency sound systems, the following requirements shall apply:
The designated control locations will provide clear indications of system availability, power supply status, and any fault conditions For systems with multiple loudspeaker zones, the selected zones and their operational modes, such as "evacuate" or "alert," will be displayed, along with the pre-selection of an emergency microphone Additionally, if various emergency messages are available based on evacuation needs, the system will indicate which messages are being broadcast and to which zones This information will be continuously updated and displayed.
Automatic fault monitoring
For automatic fault monitoring for emergency sound systems, the following requirements shall apply:
At designated locations, clear indications will be provided for various failures, including: a) issues with the main power source, b) problems with the standby power source, c) failures in battery charging equipment, d) ruptures of fuses or operations of circuit breakers that could hinder emergency broadcasts, e) failures in the transmission path from emergency microphones to the sound system, f) interruptions in speaker transmission paths, g) missing amplifiers essential for emergency sound system operation, h) failures of standby amplifiers, i) issues with emergency signal generators, j) disconnections of visual alarm devices, k) processor malfunctions, l) errors detected during memory checks, m) halts in scanning processes, and n) failures in communication links within distributed systems.
A common audible warning will activate for at least 0.5 seconds every 5 seconds upon fault detection, with a visual indicator lighting up steadily or flashing The system includes manual acceptance and reset controls; once accepted, the audible warning will be silenced, and the visual indicator will switch to steady illumination If another fault occurs, both the audible warning and visual indicator will reactivate Once all faults are cleared, the indicator will turn off automatically or can be reset manually.
Fault indications must be provided within 100 seconds of a fault occurring, even if the sound system is in use for non-emergency activities like playing background music.
Monitoring of software controlled equipment
For software-controlled equipment for emergency sound systems, the following requirements shall apply:
The execution of system software by microprocessors must be overseen by internal self-checking procedures and a reliable monitoring circuit, such as a "watch dog" circuit This monitoring circuit must meet specific criteria: it should be capable of detecting and signaling faults regardless of any failures in the microprocessor or clock circuits; it must monitor the execution of key program routines, not just "waiting" or "housekeeping" tasks; and in the event of a software execution failure, it should trigger both audible and visual fault warnings while taking appropriate corrective actions.
To address a failure, re-initialize the processor and try to restart the program within 10 seconds This re-initialization process must ensure that both program and data memory contents are verified for corruption.
2) either: i) record that a failure has occurred (using a system capable of recording a minimum of
The equipment can experience up to 99 failures, which can only be reset by authorized servicing personnel Alternatively, it may automatically reset itself while providing both audible and visual warnings of the reset This event must be acknowledged and logged in compliance with section 7.2 b).
Interface with an emergency detection system
For the interface between the emergency sound system and an emergency detection system, the following requirements shall apply:
The connection between the emergency detection system and the emergency sound system must be continuously monitored for faults This monitoring is typically carried out by the control equipment of the emergency detection system, which provides both audible and visual alerts in the event of a fault in the link between the two systems.
The emergency detection system must be equipped to receive fault information from the emergency sound system, featuring both audible and visual alerts at its control and indicating equipment At a minimum, it should transmit a general "emergency sound system fault" signal to the emergency detection system for any fault condition specified in section 5.3.
The connection between an emergency detection system and the emergency sound system is vital for ensuring seamless operation It is essential to monitor each transmission path between enclosures if the emergency sound system is distributed across multiple locations Continuous fault monitoring of these links is necessary The emergency sound system must remain operational to broadcast emergency messages triggered by the detection system, even if a fault occurs in the interconnecting link Additionally, it should allow for interruptions by higher priority broadcasts.
Power supplies
The provision of main and standby power supplies shall be such that failure or rupture of a single protective device removes coverage from no more than one emergency loudspeaker zone
In the event of a main power failure requiring building evacuation, a standby power supply must be installed This supply should operate the emergency system for a duration that is at least double the evacuation time specified by the relevant authority Additionally, it is essential that the standby power supply can sustain the system for a minimum of 30 minutes.
In the event of a main power supply failure, it is essential to have a standby power supply in place to ensure that the building does not need to be evacuated This standby power supply must be capable of operating the system for a minimum duration to maintain safety and functionality.
In the event of a power outage, a sound system must operate in emergency mode for at least 30 minutes, requiring a backup power source for 24 hours, or 6 hours if an emergency generator is available Additionally, if a building is unoccupied for several days, it is essential to ensure that the sound system can function in emergency mode for 30 minutes upon re-occupation.
Non-emergency functions, like background music, must not use the standby power supply if doing so would lower the capacity below the minimum needed for emergency operations.
For standby power supply, secondary batteries with automatic charging capabilities are required If lead-acid batteries are utilized, they must be of the valve-regulated type unless stated otherwise Additionally, the charging system should include compensation for charging current to account for ambient temperature variations, ensuring the specified battery lifespan is achieved.
Batteries must be utilized following the manufacturer's guidelines Automatic charging should guarantee that batteries are completely recharged from a fully discharged state to 80% of their maximum capacity within 24 hours.
Adequate ventilation and protection against corrosion and dangers resulting from gases emitted by the batteries shall be provided.
Climatic and environmental conditions
For the performance of system components under climatic and environmental conditions, the following requirements shall apply
To ensure optimal performance, it is crucial to include comprehensive information about the operational conditions of the system components, which may be installed both indoors and outdoors, and subjected to diverse climatic and environmental factors as well as potential mechanical damage For testing standards, please refer to EN 60068-1.
When not otherwise specified, the system shall operate satisfactorily within the system specification under the following conditions: a) Control and amplification equipment and associated battery power supplies:
3) air pressure 86 kPa to 106 kPa
3) air pressure 86 kPa to 106 kPa.
Marking and symbols for marking
Equipment shall be permanently marked with information regarding its function
NOTE Where regulatory marking covers the same information as this clause, e.g mandatory marking required by an EU Directive, the requirements of this clause are met
Terminals and controls shall be permanently marked with information regarding their function, characteristics and polarity
The markings must allow for precise adjustment of user controls and accurate confirmation of their positions, in accordance with the information provided in the user instructions.
Marking shall preferably include letter symbols, signs, numbers and colours that are internationally comprehensible
The system shall be installed in accordance with the IEC 60364 series, unless otherwise required by mandatory national or local standards
When connecting an emergency sound system to an emergency detection system, it's essential to adhere to local regulations regarding interconnecting cables These cables must be durable to guarantee the proper functioning of the emergency system during an emergency Additionally, measures should be implemented to prevent the transmission of hazardous effects through the wiring routes.
When integrating a sound system for emergency use with an emergency detection system, it is essential that the installation standards for the sound system align with the applicable standards of the detection system.
When additions and/or modifications are made to an existing system, which may not comply with this standard, the complete system shall be upgraded to meet this standard
Instructions for operation
For efficient system operation, clear instructions outlining established procedures must be readily accessible at each control station, ideally displayed prominently for quick reference.
As far as possible, graphic illustrations should be used Where text is necessary it should be clearly legible and in the preferred language(s)
Updating of the instructions for operation shall be carried out after additions or modifications of the system, or on the basis of practical experience, or revised procedures
— the functional operation of the system;
— action to be taken in the event of a system failure
A bound copy of the operational instructions shall be provided
Records to be kept
The end user and/or their contracted maintenance company must maintain installation, logbook, and maintenance records in compliance with applicable international and national standards At a minimum, these records should include details of the installation process.
1) details of the locations of all items of equipment;
The performance measurements of the system encompass several key aspects: i) the loudspeaker loading per circuit; ii) the configurations of adjustable components, such as the output levels of power amplifiers; iii) sound pressure levels; and iv) intelligibility measurements.
3) record of stored messages for emergency voice announcement and configuration data as hard copy and/or data record b) Log book:
A log book shall be kept, in which all usage of the system and all fault occurrences should be recorded, together with all available automatically produced records, to include:
1) dates and times of usage of the system;
2) details of tests and routine checks carried out;
3) time and date of each fault occurrence;
4) details of the fault found and the circumstances of it being found (for example during routine maintenance);
5) action taken to rectify or remedy;
6) date, time and name of person in charge of the system;
7) counter-signature of the responsible person, if any faults have occurred or have been rectified.
Maintenance
General
A documented procedure for the scheduled maintenance and retesting of the emergency sound system and equipment must be established, following recommendations from the system designer and equipment manufacturer, as well as relevant international and national standards The entire system should be verified annually by a qualified individual, which may involve multiple inspections Additionally, a designated responsible person must be appointed to ensure the proper execution of this procedure.
This provision may subject to more stringent local, regional or national regulations
Maintenance instructions
A comprehensive maintenance manual must be provided, detailing all necessary work to ensure the installation and equipment operate effectively, in line with specified performance criteria and relevant European and international standards This manual should clearly outline the maintenance methods, any required sequences, and identify parts needing maintenance, including their locations on drawings and manufacturers' reference numbers Additionally, it should include complete contact information for suppliers of materials and parts, as well as at least one original set of equipment and materials catalogs.
Electronic catalogues may include essential information such as the list and location of spare parts, special tools, and required test certificates for examination by the relevant authority Additionally, a comprehensive set of drawings detailing the location and interconnections of all components of the emergency sound system should be provided.
Introduction
This annex describes several methods that are available for the measurement of speech intelligibility
This article outlines the correlations and limitations of the subject matter, referencing relevant standards for clarity Annex B details the procedures required for compliance with this European Standard.
When selecting a measurement method for assessing intelligibility, it is advisable to choose one that offers the highest discrimination within the specific range being analyzed, while considering the desired standard deviation and the relevant curve gradients For instance, the Speech Transmission Index (STI) provides optimal discrimination at elevated intelligibility levels, whereas 256-word phonetically balanced word scores excel in low intelligibility scenarios.
The Speech Transmission Index (STI) is the primary method for assessing the intelligibility of emergency sound systems Within this framework, the Speech Transmission Index for Public Address (STIPA) is considered a subset of STI, deemed equivalent under the constraints outlined in EN 60268-16 Other intelligibility assessment methods are not appropriate for evaluating emergency sound systems.
Methods of measurement
The STI is calculated from the modulation transfer function (MTF) measurements, with various computer-based systems and handheld instruments available for this purpose Standardized details regarding the carrier and modulation frequencies, along with their weightings, are outlined in EN 60268-16 This standard also provides essential insights into the method's limitations, practical measurement procedures, and comparisons with alternative methods.
The phonetically balanced (PB) word score method involves broadcasting a selection of carefully chosen words from a defined population to a group of listeners For more detailed information, refer to ISO/TR 4870 [5].
In subjective tests related to room acoustics, it is essential to embed test words within carrier phrases This approach ensures that the reflections and reverberation experienced during the presentation of the test words are representative of real-world conditions.
NOTE An STI score of 0,5 is equivalent to a PB word score of 94 %
The modified rhyme test (MRT) method also uses a panel of listeners and a broadcast of specially chosen words
NOTE An STI score of 0,5 is equivalent to a MRT score of 94 %
The Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) is determined from the equivalent speech and noise spectra levels together with the equivalent hearing threshold level (see [6])
NOTE An STI score of 0,5 is equivalent to a SII score of 0,5
The Articulation Index (AI) has been revised and renamed the Speech Intelligibility Index (SII)
The articulation loss of consonants, denoted as %ALcons, is quantified through transmission tests that utilize specifically selected simple words This concept is detailed in reference [6].
NOTE 1 ALcons does not use test words in carrier phrases and omits vowels This leads to erroneous results in the presence of reverberation or peak clipping
NOTE 2 An STI score of 0,5 is equivalent to an ALcons of 12 %.
Limitations of the methods
Accurate measurement procedures are crucial to avoid misleading results, and they must adhere strictly to the relevant standards Additionally, it is important that the ambient noise level during measurement closely resembles normal operating conditions, or that appropriate corrections are applied to the raw test data.
NOTE General information on intelligibility testing is given in ISO/TR 4870
STI methods are generally inadequate for testing systems that involve frequency shifts, frequency multiplication, or voice encoders For more details on testing methods and their limitations, refer to EN 60268-16.
A.3.3 Phonetically balanced word scores (256 and 1 000 population)
According to ISO/TR 4870, this method has certain limitations; however, it is important to highlight that it relies on the listener's comprehension of words, meaning there are no restrictions related to the sound system's characteristics or the surrounding environment.
This method's limitations align with those outlined in ISO/TR 4870 Importantly, since it relies on the listeners' comprehension of words, it does not impose restrictions related to the sound system's characteristics or the surrounding environment.
The limitations of this method are given in [6]
The limitations outlined are akin to those specified in ISO/TR 4870 It's important to highlight that when measurements rely on listeners receiving words, there are no restrictions concerning the sound system or environmental characteristics Conversely, if an alternative measurement method is employed, limitations may arise regarding these factors.
Correlation of the results of the various methods
Figure A.1 gives the correlation between the various intelligibility scales
The intelligibility of speech can be assessed using various metrics, including the common Intelligibility Scale, which features phonetically balanced word scores based on 256 words Additionally, the use of short sentences enhances clarity, while the percentage articulation of consonants, represented as 100 - % Alcons, plays a crucial role in understanding For a more comprehensive evaluation, phonetically balanced word scores based on 1,000 words and the analysis of 1,000 syllables are also significant Furthermore, the Articulation Index and the Speech Transmission Index (STI x 100 or STIPA x 100) are essential tools for measuring speech intelligibility effectively.
NOTE The marked points on the curves indicate the correlation values which were derived from published sources
Figure A.1 — Conversion of existing intelligibility scales
General
Intelligibility will be assessed using one or more methods specified in Annex A, ensuring that the criteria for obtaining reliable results are met If an alternative method to the STI is selected, individual results must be converted to the STI scale as outlined in Annex A before evaluation according to section B.3.
Accurate assessment of speech intelligibility through measurement necessitates meticulous adjustment of parameters When the reverberation time, background noise, or sound pressure level during measurement diverges from conditions typical in emergencies, it is essential to apply appropriate corrections to the results For detailed guidance on measurements and necessary adjustments for the Speech Transmission Index (STI) method, refer to EN 60268-16, which serves as a key reference.
Status of the sound system
For accurate measurements, the entire sound system must be operational Any results obtained while the sound system is in a special status should be clearly indicated.
Number of measurements and calculation of the result
To assess speech intelligibility within each ADA, it is essential to establish multiple measurement points that meet specific criteria Firstly, the number of measurement points must be at least equal to the requirements outlined in Table B.1 Additionally, the spacing between adjacent points should ensure uniform sound coverage Measurement points need to be distributed evenly across the ADA, avoiding any bias towards favorable or unfavorable locations Furthermore, no more than one-third of the points should be positioned along the axis of any loudspeaker Lastly, unless stated otherwise, measurement points should be set at a height of 1.2 m for seated positions and 1.6 m for standing positions above the finished floor level.
Table B.1 — Minimum number of measurement points Area of the ADA
(m 2 ) Minimum number of measurement points
To determine the single-number intelligibility rating for any ADA, continuous areas with poor intelligibility smaller than 10 m² may be excluded from the analysis Measurements taken in the remaining areas should discard the worst intelligibility samples, limited to 10% of the ADA area or measurement points, ensuring at least 10 measurements are conducted For smaller ADAs with fewer measurement points, no samples should be discarded Finally, calculate the arithmetic mean from the remaining samples and note the minimum value, ensuring both meet the requirements specified in section 5.1.
Ambient noise
Measure the ambient noise levels at key locations within each ADA to accurately reflect the noise environment during the speech intelligibility test Ensure that the measurements are taken for a sufficient duration to represent the ambient conditions effectively.
To accurately correct the measured Speech Transmission Index (STI) values, it is essential to assess the ambient noise spectrum across all octave bands ranging from 125 Hz to 8,000 Hz The EN 60268-16 standard provides guidelines for the post-processing of the measured data.
Ambient noise is rarely constant Typical usage ambient noise is the best measure and the required spectrum shall be measured as an LEQ over a representative time period.
Test signal
To test emergency microphones, simulate a normal speaker by acoustically applying the test signal directly to the microphones For other audio sources, electronically inject the signal into the appropriate inputs of the emergency sound system, making sure the controls are adjusted to reflect a representative signal level.
In situations where continuous application of an acoustic test signal to the emergency microphone is impractical, direct injection can be utilized, ensuring that the sound pressure level matches that of a standard emergency announcement Additionally, a subjective check of the microphone's operation is essential It is crucial to consider the microphone's frequency response and adjust the test signal to achieve proper equalization.
Adjust the test signal such that the continuous A-weighted sound pressure level of the test signal is
The emergency speech level of the VAS should be measured at least 3 dB above the continuous A-weighted sound pressure level for a minimum duration of 40 seconds, unless the announcement lasts for a shorter time.
NOTE For further information on adjusting levels of speech and test signals refer to EN 60268–16
In emergency situations where continuous broadcasting of test signals at speech levels is impractical, it is essential to determine the test signal spectrum across all octave bands from 125 Hz to 8,000 Hz for each measurement location This allows for the post-processing of Speech Transmission Index (STI) results to adjust for level differences Guidelines for this post-processing are outlined in EN 60268-16.
In situations where broadcasting the test signal to all designated emergency loudspeaker zones is impractical, it is essential to document the actual status of the emergency sound system in the test report Additionally, a justification must be included to demonstrate that the partial broadcast does not compromise the minimum requirements for all configured emergency loudspeaker zones.
Records
For noise and intelligibility measurements, it is essential to record the following: the locations of measurement points, the unweighted ambient noise level spectrum in octave bands from 125 Hz to 8,000 Hz in dB with reference to 20 μPa at each point, the duration of the ambient noise measurement period, the method of STI measurement as per EN 60268-16, the STI value at each measurement point, the STI result within the ADA as determined according to B.3, and the unweighted test signal spectrum in octave bands from 125 Hz to 8,000 Hz in dB with reference to the specified standard.
Measurements should be taken at 20 μPa at each point, considering any unusual circumstances that may impact their validity If the ambient noise level differs from that in emergency situations, an appropriate correction must be applied to the raw data to accurately reflect speech intelligibility values, factoring in the reference ambient noise within the ADA Additionally, if the test signal level does not correspond to the emergency speech level, a correction should also be made to the raw data to ensure accurate speech intelligibility results All adjusted speech intelligibility results must be recorded.
Introduction
Sound signals serve as warnings for upcoming announcements and must be loud enough to be effective This section outlines recommended sound levels and measurement techniques specifically for attention-drawing signals, excluding voice announcements Additionally, it evaluates how the sound pressure level of voice announcements affects their intelligibility through a specific measurement method.
Audibility of attention-drawing signals
Attention-drawing signals within the coverage area must adhere to specific criteria: an absolute minimum sound level of 65 dB A-weighted, a minimum sound level of 75 dB A-weighted at the bed-head, and an A-weighted sound pressure level of the alarm that is between 6 dB and 20 dB above the A-weighted background noise level, or 9 dB to 23 dB in relevant alarm frequency bands.
1) the method of measuring background noise shall be consistent with the nature of the noise;
2) short duration background noise (