DESIGN OF A PUBLIC ADDRESS

AND VOICE ALARM SYSTEM

DESIGN OF A PUBLIC ADRESS AND VA-SYSTEM

• Why do we need PA- and VA Systems?

• How we do a system design of loudspeaker zones and periphery?

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 2

CONTENT

1. Why are emergency warning systems needed?

2. Voice Alarm Systems
3. Why decibel account?
4. Layout of speakers (SPL)
5. Room acoustics and reverberation time
6. Material, dependent absorption degree
7. Room volume and reverberation time
8. STI parameters
9. Characteristics of loudspeakers
10. System design
11. Microphone applications
12. How can your PA-or VA-system looks like?
13. Calculation of PA-and VA-systems
14. Overview Key Features APS System
15. Overview of the APS modules
16. User-friendliness – thanks to easy operation!
17. LAN networking – low cost and reliable!
18. Central Operator prompting…Everything at a glance!

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 3

WHY ARE EMERGENCY WARNING SYSTEMS NEEDED?

AT THE RISK SITUATION CUSTOMIZED

ANNOUNCEMENTS LIKE:

• THREAT
• FIRE
• RAMPAGE
• DISASTER

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 4

WHY ARE EMERGENCY WARNING SYSTEMS NEEDED?

HIGH REQUIRED ESCAPE VELOCITY:

• INDUCED ACCUMULATION
• LOW FLOW THROUGH THE EMERGENCY EXIT
• LOW EFFECTIVE ESCAPE VELOCITY

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 5

WHY ARE EMERGENCY WARNING SYSTEMS NEEDED?

SMALL DESIRED ESCAPE VELOCITY:

• LOW ACCUMULATION
• HIGH FLOW THROUGH THE EMERGENCY EXIT
• HIGH EFFECTIVE ESCAPE VELOCITY

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 6

VOICE ALARM SYSTEMS

Quickly, clearly and precisely information,

what is to be done, now and immediately!

Evacuation without panic!

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 7

VOICE ALARM SYSTEMS

Hardware for overall surveillance

• Surveillance of each loudspeaker line

• Surveillance of each loudspeaker
• Surveillance of each amplifier
• Switch to hot stand-by amplifier Overall Surveillance
• Surveillance of the entire signal path
• Surveillance of the necessary periphery
• Overall fault indication

APS-178-EV BO-CD-100-4-EV APS-990-EV APS-177-EV

… and other APS EV modules

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 8

VOICE ALARM SYSTEMS

Surveillance according En 54-16

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 9

WHY DECIBEL ACCOUNT?

Decibel (dB), the unit for measuring the Sound Pressure Level (SPL)
SPL, is the loudness of sound. Numbers
are based on a logarithmic scale for
easier comprehension. L = Absolute sound pressure level [dB]
pEFF = Sound pressure level
(Root mean square )
p0 = Reference sound pressure
(1 kHz sine wave, hearing)

Environment Sound Pressure Level (dB)

Individual offices ~ 50
Open-plan offices 55–60
Noisy office room 65–70
Noisy restaurant 70–75
Production facilities with machines > 80

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 10

LAYOUT OF SPEAKERS (SPL)

EXAMPLE
Shopping Center with a room height of 5.5 Meter
Measured SPL background noise level 70 dBSPL
Adding 10 dB above ambient noise +10 dBSPL
Requested minimum SPL at ear height 80 dBSPL

6m 4m 2m 1m 1m 2m 4m 6m 5.5 m

4.5 m
93.8 dBSPL / 90°
3.5 m

2.5 m

80 dBSPL 1.5 m

0.0 m
Important physics
• Sound pressure level drops by 6dB every doubling of distance
• Increase of 3 dB for every doubling of power

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 11

LAYOUT OF SPEAKERS (SPL)

EXAMPLE
Shopping Center with a room height of 5.5 Meter Distance to speaker SPL loss
Requested minimum Sound pressure Level 80 dBSPL 1 Meter 0 dB

Sound pressure drop at 4m (5.5 m - 1.5 m) +12 dB SPL 2 Meter -6 dB

4 Meter -12 dB
Sound pressure for angle reserve + 6 dBSPL
8 Meter -18 dB
 Required minimum SPL of speaker 98 dBSPL

+5dB

3W
For example sound projector with sensitivity of (1 W / 1 m) 93.8 dB SPL / 90° Coverage angle
 Requested SPL 98dBSPL : That means that the chosen speaker gives 93.8 dB SPL, at 1 W / 1 m;
we need SPL 98 dBSPL
We increase the dB by increasing the power, tapping of 3 W gives for example +5 dB
(See curve) 93.8 dB +5 dB / = 98.8 dBSPL
Design of a public address and voice alarm system 12
LAYOUT OF SPEAKERS (SPL)

EXAMPLE
Shopping Center with a room height of 5.5 Meter
 Given: 7 Loudspeaker lines with each 20 pieces of loudspeakers
and a requested SPL of 98 dB

Variant 1:
Loudspeaker with SPL (1 W / 1 m) 93.8 dB SPL / 90°
Required Power for per Loudspeaker +5 dBSPL = 3 W (Tapping)
Required amplifier power (7*20* 3W) = 420 W

Variant2:
Loudspeaker with SPL(1W/1m) 90 dBSPL / 90°
Required Power for per Loudspeaker +8dBSPL = 6 W (Tapping)
Required amplifier power (7*20* 6W) = 840 W

Conclusion: Loudspeaker with a high efficiency (sensitivity) save

a lot of cost on the amplifier side.

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 13

LAYOUT OF SPEAKERS (SPL)

EXAMPLE
Shopping Center with a room height of 5.5 Meter
Ear height 1.5 m, coverage 𝛼 = 90°

Calculating the loudspeaker distances:

2 x Tan (𝛼/2) x 4 m (Room height 5.5 m minus ear height of 1.5 m) = 8 m

98.8 dBSPL / 90° 98.8 dBSPL / 90°

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 14

LAYOUT OF SPEAKERS (SPL)

VOLUME IN A ROOM SIMULATION WITH EASE EVAC

Simulation of the SPL in dBSPL with the ceiling speaker GM-3405 (3 W / 98.8 dB SPL)
in a room with a height of 5.5 m and 8 m distance to each speaker.
 At ear height of 1.7 m is the SPL 81.4 dB SPL

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 15

 ROOM ACOUSTICS AND REVERBERATION TIME

The acoustic impression of a space is determined by

 Part of the direct sound
 Delay time and direction of early reflections
 The rougher a material, the more diffuse sound.

Reverberation time RT60

 Time of -60dB decreased
Detector
Sound pressure level

Direct sound

Early reflections

Sound source
Late reflections
-60 dB

RT60 Time

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 16

MATERIAL – DEPENDENT ABSORPTION DEGREE

The sound will be

reflected on the walls in
depending on the
degree of absorption.

Absorption
coefficient α:
The part of the absorbed
power of a sound wave.

Values
1: It is all absorbed
0: It is all reflected

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 17

ROOM VOLUME AND REVERBERATION TIME

Calculation example for reverberation time

0.163  Sabin'sche reverberation constant

T  Reverberation time T (in seconds)
V  Room volum V (in m3)
A  Total of the absorption values
(All areas, objects in the room, etc.)
(Parquet) N  Total of the individual surface types (in m2)
(Gypsum board) A = Sum of the areas n x absorption coefficient α
(Wall papered)

Gypsum board

Wall papered

Parquet
Design of a public address and voice alarm system 18
ROOM VOLUME AND REVERBERATION TIME

Listener Reverberation time (s) Size of the room and type

Normal 0.3 to 0.8 Ø 200 m3, less reflection
Normal 0.4 to 0.6 Classroom
Normal 1.5 to 2 Concerthall with hall effect
Normal 1.1 Ø 350 m3, less reflection
Normal 1.6 Ø 6’000 m3, less reflection
Normal 1.9 Ø 20’000 m3, less reflection
Handicapped Ø 0.3 Recommended

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 19

STI PARAMETERS

STI (SPEECH TRANSMISSION INDEX)

English "Speech Transmission Index” STI-Value EN 60268-16
Standard
EN 54-16 standard is STI 0.5
0 to 0.3 bad
0.3 to 0.45 weak
0.45 to 0.6 appropriate
0.6 to 0.75 good
0.75 to 1.0 excellent
Speech intelligibility is dependent on
• Ambient noise
• Reverberation time
• Number of speakers (as less as
necessary suitable speakers)
• Volume (psychoacoustics - Ear features)

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 20

STI PARAMETERS

AMBIENT NOISE Environment Sounds pressure level (dB)

Individual offices ~ 50
You will find some typical Open-plan offices 55-60
environment noise in the table on the right Warehouses with 65-70
electric forklift
traffic
Warehouses with 70-75
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR or S / N) diesel forklift traffic
Production halls > 80
with machines

STI depending of S/N by 65 dBA Signal level

STI (S / N)
The STI value depends of the difference
of the signal- and noise volume

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 21

STI PARAMETERS

REVERBERATION TIME
Limit curve dispersion as a function of the reverberation time.
The STI-value can be read out in as a function of the sound level difference in
dB (signal-to-noise ratio) and the reverberation time (RT60).
S

If the reverberation time is more than

5
1.5 s, we need acoustic measures e.g.
acoustic ceiling or special directed
2 speakers e.g. column speakers
0.3
1

RT60 0.5 0.5

STI = 0.7
0.2

0.1

18 12 6 0 -6 dB
SNR
Design of a public address and voice alarm system 22
STI PARAMETERS

REVERBERATION TIME
Real situation of two speakers causes of room reverberation "Fog"

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 23

STI PARAMETERS

REVERBERATION TIME
Real situation with multiple speakers causes of room reverberation –
more "fog“ (special by low frequencies)
-> STI drops

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 24

STI PARAMETERS

Increase the perceptibility of different noise level

Volume

Perception threshold /dB

(Psychoacoustics – Ear features) Noise level

Quiet sounds are masked by louder

sounds and are not noticeable.

Auditory
threshold

Frequency / kHz

STI depending of signal level

STI (signal level)
The STI value depends on the signal
level of the speaker and the noise
STI
level of the environment.
The red curve indicates at which
signal level the ear is insensitive.

dBA
Design of a public address and voice alarm system 25
STI PARAMETERS

SIMULATION WITH EASE EVAC

The simulation of the STI with the ceiling speaker GM-3405-EN5424 in a room with a
painted concrete ceiling, we just reach an STI of 0.37 because of the high
reverberations.

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 26

STI PARAMETERS

SIMULATION WITH EASE EVAC

The simulation of the STI with the ceiling speaker GM-3405-EN5424 in a room with a
acoustic ceiling, we just reach an STI of 0.64 because of the low reverberations.

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 27

STI PARAMETERS

Conclusion

To reach a Speech Transmission Index STI of 0.5, we have to fulfil the following criteria

• Ambient noise: Volume difference to the ambient noise > 10 dBA

• Reverberation time: RT60 <1.5 s, otherwise room acoustic measures required
• Number of Speakers: as little as necessary for appropriate
• Volume: > 20 dBA, 90 dBA from the ear is insensitive

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 28

CHARACTERISTICS OF LOUDSPEAKERS

Sensitivity (1 W / 1 m)
Normalized value at 1 W pink noise from 100 Hz to 10 kHz

SPL
Sound pressure level

Efficiency
To increase a volume of +3 dB to double the power is needed.
Psychoacoustics: a perceived doubling of volume +10 dB necessary

Frequency Range
The frequency range begins at the lower frequency at
-10 dB and ends with the frequency at-10dB on the top

Dispersion
The dispersion is expressed in the polar diagram

Nominal impedance
Resistance value at the specified performance speakers

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 29

CHARACTERISTICS OF LOUDSPEAKERS

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 30

CHARACTERISTICS OF LOUDSPEAKERS

GM-6040-EN5424 CABINET SPEAKER FOR PA- AND VA SYSTEMS

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 31

CHARACTERISTICS OF LOUDSPEAKERS

GM-5600-EN5424 CABINET SPEAKER FOR PA- AND VA SYSTEMS

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 32

CHARACTERISTICS OF LOUDSPEAKERS

GM-3405-EN5424 CEILING SPEAKER FOR PA- AND VA SYSTEMS

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 33

VOICE ALARM SYSTEMS

Example of a VACIE Design (Voice Alarm Control and Indicating Equipment)

LS 1 – LS 60
CPU-UNIT
MIC 3 SHOPPING Zone 1
INTERFACE LS 1 – LS 60
OFFICE
SURVEILLANCE
SHOPPING Zone 2
MIC 2 AMPLIFIER LS 1 – LS 60
RESTAURANT
AMPLIFIER SHOPPING Zone 3
MIC 1 AMPLIFIER LS 1 – LS 58
SHOPPING
AMPLIFIER SHOPPING Zone 4
MIC FIRE AMPLIFIER LS 1 – LS 10
BRIGADE CORRIDORE Zone 5
AMPLIFIER
FIRE ALARM BACKUP LS 1 – LS 10
INTERFACE RESTAURANT Zone 6
AMPLIFIER
AUDIO BACKUP LS 1 – LS 6 OFFICE Zone 7
SOURCE BATTERY

CEILING SPEAKERS CABINET SPEAKERS

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 34

PA SYSTEM DESIGN

Zone Diagram
Periphery of a PA-System
Input Modules Function Modules Amplifier Output Loudspeaker Zones
Modules
Pieces Type Power Subtotal
(Watt) (Watt)
APS-316 APS-16.2 APS-990 BO-CD-250-2 60 GM-3405 3 180 1
APS-316 60 GM-3405 3 180 2
APS-316 BO-CD-250-2 60 GM-3405 3 180 3
58 GM-3405 3 174 4
BO-CD-250-2 APS-74 10 GM-6040 5 50 5
APS-19.2 10 GM-3860 15 150 6
6 GM-5600 3 18 7

GM-1525 APS-40
CD Player

TOTAL 264 932

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 35

VA-SYSTEM DESIGN

Peripheries Input Function Amplifier Output Module Loudspeaker Zone

Module Module
Stück Type Leistung Subtota
(Watt) l
(Watt)
APS-316-EV APS-16.2-D APS-990 BO-CD-250-2- APS-178.1-32 60 GM- 3 180 1
EV (1) 3405
APS-316-EV APS-177.2-EV APS-178.1-32 60 GM- 3 180 2
LAN (5) 3405
APS-316-EV   BO-CD-250-2- APS-178.1-32 60 GM- 3 180 3
EV (9) 3405

GM-FWST APS-178.1-32 58 GM- 3 174 4

(13) 3405
Interface APS-56.1- BO-CD-250-EV APS-178.1-32 10 GM- 5 50 5
Fire Alarm NL / APS- (17) 6040
59.-SEC
APS-19.2 APS-178.1-32 10 GM- 15 150 6
(18) 3860
GM-1525 APS-02 APS-178.1-32 6 GM- 3 18 7
Internet Radio (19) 5600

2x APS- BO-CD-250-2-
151.1 EV
(Backup (Backup)
Batterie)
TOTAL 264 932

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 36

 MICROPHONE APPLICATIONS

DYNAMIC MICROPHONES: Condenser microphone:

• GM-FWST • APS-316.1, Dig. microphone console
• DIGITAL MICROPHONE
• CONSOLE FOR FIRE BRIGADE

Applications:
APPLICATIONS:
• Announcements
• FIREFIGHTER INTERCOM
• Headsets
• MUSIC
• MONITORED MICROPHONES
Firmenpräsentation
Design of a public address and voice alarm system 37
HOW CAN YOUR PA- OR VA-SYSTEM LOOKS LIKE?

FRONT VIEW APS SYSTEM Rear view APS System

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 38

CALCULATION OF PA- AND VA-SYSTEMS

Design of a public address and voice alarm system 39

OVERVIEW KEY FEATURES APS SYSTEM

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 OVERVIEW OF THE APS MODULES
Input modules System modules Output modules
APS-01 (01) (12) -EV, APS-990-EQ CPU-Module APS-31.1 Output-Module 0dB
with VU-meter
Input-Modules Mic/Aux
GM-939 APS-02 (DIN) (Chinch),
Input-Modules Music-Sources
APS-03, Input-Modules
with input transformer APS-62.1 Output-Module 100 V
APS-04 Input-Modules for g+m (2 Zones/Volume-Controls)
Remote-Controls APS-177 Master Surveillance
APS-440/442 APS-64.1 Output-Module 100 V
Processor Module
APS-16.2, Input-Modules for
(4 Zones/Volume-Controls)
digital Mic.-consoles
APS-18.3, Input-Module for Telephone-Interface APS-74.1 Output-Module 100 V
APS-19.2, Module MP3 player for Gong (4 Zones)
APS-3xx-EV and alarm messages
APS-75.1 Relay-Module
APS-24.1, Digital Message-Player Module APS-59-LAN Local Area Network
APS-25.2, FM-Tuner Module Module
APS-26 USB-Media-Player-Interface-Module APS-178, 16/32 channel interruption free line
APS-40.1, Input-Module Music-Source Selector monitoring
MP3
APS-50, Control-Module with 8 push-buttons
APS-52, Input-Module for 8 contacts APS-180-LOOP 12 channel interruption free line
(protected inputs) APS-46.1 DSP Module monitoring (LOOP)
APS-54, Control-Module with 4 push-buttons
APS-57-4 Control-Module with built-in timer
(4 circuits)

BO-CD-xxx, Digital Class D Amplifier

APS-56-NL, Control-Module for 8 contacts
(monitored)

Firealarm
button 9113
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USER-FRIENDLINESS – THANKS TO EASY OPERATION!

Digital Microphone Consoles – LAN Consoles – GUI Interface

Digital microfone consoles Numerical, digital microphone

Freely programmable digital consoles
Consoles with direct LAN or Numerical, digital microphone
Bus system interworking. command consoles with up to 255
Up to 30 consoles per bus! freely programmable functtions,
with alphanumeric display with EN
54-16 certification

Graphical User Interface Digital microphone-consoles in

Operation with touch screen accordance with Standard EN
or PC with LAN/RS-232 60849
connection or integration in Modular, freely programmable
an existing building microphone consoles for Voice
management system Alarm in accordande with
Standard EN54-16

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LAN NETWORKING – LOW COST AND RELIABLE!

(8

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CENTRAL OPERATOR PROMPTING …
EVERYTHING AT A GLANCE!

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