NFPA 72 and Mass Notification

 

NFPA 72 is a current code from the 2010 Building Codes. The problem, no one has been enforcing it, until now.

This code will soon be regularly enforced, don’t let your company fall behind. Get ahead of the curve!

What are Mass Notification Systems (MNS) and Emergency Communication Systems (ECS)?

ECS – A system for the protection of life by indicating the existence of an emergency situation and communicating information necessary to facilitate an appropriate response and action. – NFPA 72

MNS – A system that provides real-time information to all building occupants or personnel in the immediate vicinity of the building during emergency situations. – UFC 4-021-01

We need to provide real-time information to all building occupants or personnel in the immediate vicinity of a building during emergency situations.

What is the Goal of MNS?

The Goal is to give incident-specific guidance to those in danger as to the best course of action on an area-by-area basis.

Fire

Natural Disasters, Weather

Armed Intruder

Terrorist Events

NBC ◦ Nuclear, biological, chemical

Incendiary and explosive

CBRNE

So now what? Well, Fineline can help!

Fineline can provide LENCORE.

LENCORE provides sound masking, paging, music & most importantly, Mass Notification

In certain situations and during emergency events the dissemination of information is key to life safety. Mass Notification and Emergency Communication Systems are designed to provide critical information and directions to follow during an emergency event. These messages must integrate across multiple platforms and include a complete range of communication methods – both visual and audible.

 

ENGINEERED SYSTEM SOLUTIONS FOR MASS NOTIFICATION and Emergency Communications

Lencore mass notification solutions provide the coverage needed to ensure quality communications during emergency events. The engineered system solutions meet the NFPA72 code for reach and clarity – aiding in the delivery of a clear, consistent message to direct occupants to safety.

Lencore’s Engineered Systems for MNEC provide a completely packaged solution for ease of use and installation. Using a branded enclosure, all of the system’s head end equipment is expertly assembled, pre-wired, and ready for on-site installation. Based on need, optional equipment can be added for additional system functionality and features. The system provides robust zoning, multiple levels for emergency and mass notification, redundancy, and pre-recorded messaging. The system can tie together multiple floors, facilities or entire campuses to provide a universal communication system that can be accessed locally and globally to ensure that important announcements can be heard whenever and wherever they are needed.

Each MNEC System is also capable of supporting sound masking, day to day paging and background music to provide clients with privacy, comfort and multiple levels of communication. The scalability of Lencore’s MNEC System is virtually limitless, enabling it to grow and evolve to meet expanding client needs.

 

MASS NOTIFICATION & EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS A PRIMER

The design of your Mass Notification and Emergency Communication system must provide both reach and clarity to properly provide 100% coverage with intelligibility for life safety communications. Your system design must include the following capabilities:

– Speaker design and orientation for Acoustically Distinguishable Spaces (ADS)

– Prioritization of announcements and signaling – Monitoring and reporting of system operability

– Redundancy as a system fail safe

– Pre-Recorded messaging for specific events Below is a list of considerations when designing your MNEC system.

Below is a list of considerations when designing your MNEC system. It is divided into three divisions as you look at the Areas you need to reach, the vehicles of Communication and the System requirements necessary for operability.

SYSTEM

System operability is the determining factor of success with a mass notification and emergency communications system. There are a number of system design decisions which are required based on the specific needs of your facility or facilities. The following are critical elements to account for in any system design:

Redundancy. An important aspect to any MNEC system is the system’s built in fail safes. A MNEC system should be able to not only notify you of a compromise in the system but it should ensure 24/7 operability with a redundant signal.

Reporting. Similar to redundancy, your MNEC system should provide monitoring and reporting for thermal and other events to maintain operability. Notification of any system compromise is a critical factor in your system design.

Intelligibility. There are specific intelligibility standards, namely STIPA, which must be achieved in your Mass Notification and Emergency Communications system design. STIPA is a standard used to ensure that the intended audience can understand the audible message.

Zoning. Acoustically Distinguishable Spaces (ADS) are defined within your facility and are customized to your needs. Zones should be established whether by building, floor, department or other criteria in order to deliver the proper message within the ADS.

Controls. Understanding the ease of use for the MNEC system is important – especially before an event occurs. The controls should be password protected but easily accessible from anywhere. Furthermore, the controls should be robust enough to achieve your objective of reach and clarity for your intended audience.

Pre-Recorded Announcements. MNEC systems should consider the use of pre-recorded announcements for potential, foreseen emergencies such as fire or weather. These “canned” messages reduce human error in the event of an emergency and deliver clear, professional instructions to direct occupants to safety.

Prioritization. The paging aspects of the system should include prioritization levels for both local and global microphone or telephone inputs to ensure that the most critical announcements and communications are delivered most timely.

Content. In many instances organizations insist on receiving content, through RSS feeds, on weather in order to better manage their operations.

Building(s). Mass Notification and Emergency Communication systems are designed based on the needs of the owner. Systems are capable of being tied together across multiple buildings and multiple locations, locally and globally.

Preventative Maintenance. A MNEC system is designed to ensure the life safety of employees and occupants. Similar to a fire alarm system, maintenance should be routinely scheduled through an ongoing program in order to effectively maximize the systems performance for when it is really needed.

Surge & Uninterruptible Power Supply Systems. Protect your hardware and ensure 24/7 operability with power conditioning equipment.

With proper design, installation and system maintenance and monitoring your Mass Notification and Emergency Communications system will help you ensure the safety and welfare of your employees and occupants.

Contact Fineline Furniture with any questions and concerns you have about this upcoming code enforcement. With LENCORE, we can help!