Safety management

Security and background public address system

The security public address system ensures the clear, intelligible, and immediate broadcast of alert messages in the event of a fire or emergency.  It helps guide occupants to the emergency exits in an orderly manner, thereby minimising panic.

When combined with the background music system, it also allows for the broadcast of informational messages, public announcements, or background music as part of the building’s daily operations.
The security public address system is an integral part of the fire safety system and meets strict requirements for reliability, intelligibility, and redundancy, as defined by European standards.

How does a security public address system work?

A safety public address system is a set of electronic equipment designed to broadcast alert and evacuation announcements automatically in the event of a fire or other danger.
It is activated:

automatically (following a fire detection)
or manually, directly via the control button in the alarm zone, the fire safety control centre controls the safety public address system

The system includes:

un Equipement de Contrôle et Signalisation d’Alarme Vocale ECSAV a Voice Alarm Control and Signalling System (central equipment that includes the monitoring station and amplifiers). dispersion areas configured according to the areas to be evacuated, speakers certified for fire safety, a fire department microphone or emergency command post, a redundant audio network, ensuring uninterrupted broadcasting even in the event of a partial failure.
un microphone pompier ou poste de commande d’urgence,

Assess the risks

Full integration with the fire safety system

The security public address system is directly linked to the fire safety system.  As soon as a fire alarm is triggered, it broadcasts the appropriate evacuation message to the affected areas.

Learn about our fire safety system

A dual purpose: safety and comfort

Except in emergency situations, the same audio infrastructure can be used for general sound background: playing background music, service announcements, informational messages in reception areas or high-traffic areas.

diffusion de musique d’ambiance,
annonces de service,

This versatility makes it possible to optimise audio equipment by combining everyday uses with safety features, while ensuring the level of reliability required for fire safety. In an emergency, comfort features are automatically deactivated to prioritise the broadcast of evacuation announcements and safety instructions

Need help?

:

A stringent regulatory framework for alarm transmission

In addition to compliance with EN 54, the French standards NFS 61-936 and NFS 61-932 provide further details to ensure a high-quality evacuation, such as:

A compatibility check between the various components of the system

A clarification on regulatory options

A study of the minimum audibility and intelligibility of messages

Minimum duration of the evacuation announcement

NF EN 54-16

NF EN 54-16 – voice alarm control and signalling equipment
NF EN 54-16
NF EN 54-24

NF EN 54-24 – loudspeakers for fire safety systems
NF EN 54-24
Decree of 25 June 1980 – Article MS62

Decree of 25 June 1980 – Article MS62 – requirement for public address systems in certain public buildings
Decree of 25 June 1980

Why install a security public address system?

The security public address system ensures that evacuation announcements are clear and easy to understand by coordinating audio communications with fire safety procedures. It ensures a rapid, controlled evacuation that complies with regulatory requirements.

	Risk covered	Operational benefit
Alert the occupants	Voice message not received or inaudible	Clear, intelligible, and immediate sound in all areas
Directing the evacuation	Panic or disruption of flows	Messages tailored by area to ensure an orderly evacuation
	Installation not compliant with fire safety system requirements	Compliance with NF S 61-936 and EN 54 (16 & 24) standards
Communication in everyday life	The proliferation of audio equipment	A single infrastructure for security and comfort audio systems
Ensure availability	System failure in a critical situation	Continuous monitoring and equipment redundancy

Key figures

Concrete indicators for measuring the impact of a safety public address system on evacuation and the understanding of instructions.

45
Non-compliance rate identified during audits of old fire safety systems

0.5
Minimum intelligibility requirement for a compliant fire safety system

30
Minimum battery life of the fire safety system in backup mode

70
Comprehension rate of a voice message compared to an audible alarm alone

Your sectors

Technology tailored to each of your constraints

Every sector has its own constraints, risk levels and regulatory requirements. DEF designs fire safety solutions that adapt to any environment, ensuring performance, compliance and business continuity.