Gent argue that rack mounted voice alarm systems may soon be overtaken by the distributed approach

The Vigilon Voice distributed voice alarm system from Gent by Honeywell is a wall-mounted system that can meet the needs of the most complex site. It delivers high quality audio announcements, with full digital signal processing to ensure that messages are always intelligible; this keeps confusion and panic to a minimum. It can be easily accommodated and configured, and has many advantages over a traditional rack mounted system.
Full integration of the voice alarm system with the fire detection system means that it shares the fault resilience designed into the Vigilon fire system, and will continue to work long after most other voice alarm systems would fail. The distributed architecture means that amplifiers are sited at the point of delivery, and this saves on cable installation and improves power efficiency.
The modular approach to the design of the Vigilon voice system makes it easier to expand or to modify if the building application or requirements change; simply add extra Distributed Amplifier Units to the fire loop. Distributed Amplifier Units with locally stored messages situated throughout the building mean that even if the voice alarm network fails, emergency messages are still delivered throughout the whole system. The architecture also provides a safe and flexible solution to suit multi-user sites by allowing flexible messaging with combinations of live and pre-recorded messages as well as central and local inputs for background music and public address. Complementary functions such as ambient noise sensing and volume control can be installed at local amplifier units without complex cabling or any need for additional control equipment.
The user interface for the Distributed Amplifier Unit and the fire detection system itself is shared; so all functions can be performed centrally. And by using Vigilon’s loop interfaces, Distributed Amplifier Units are configured into the fire plan in the same way as sounders. This means design and commissioning skills and rules are easy to learn for fire engineers, one of the added benefits from reduced cost of ownership from what is essentially two systems in one.
As you would expect from Gent, the Vigilon Voice system is fully compliant with BS 5839-8, which is the Design and Application code of practice for Voice Alarm systems. Compliant standby amplification is provided at no extra cost and without any need for special consideration during the design stage.

Email: beryl@adrempr.co.uk