Guidelines for the Use of Voice Alarm Systems Based on the Analysis of Normative and Legal Documents Used in Selected European Countries

Purpose: The aim of this publication is to present the results of theoretical research – evaluation of normative and legal documents used for the design and installation of voice alarm systems (VAS) in selected European countries. The aim of the research was to analyze and compare the functioning of voice alarm systems in Poland against the background of selected European countries. Introduction: Voice alarm systems are systems installed in buildings that enable the broadcast of warning signals and voice messages for the safety of people in the building. Mandatory use of voice alarm systems in selected buildings became applicable in Poland on January 16, 2006. In Europe, these systems have been present before. Over the years, there has been development of both the devices included in the systems, as well as the normative documents and legal acts that describe these systems. Methods: Within the research process, theoretical research was used, such as: analysis of literature and legal documents, synthesis, generalization, inference, comparison and analogy. As part of the research, documents from such countries as Poland, Great Britain (mainly England), Sweden, Norway, Germany and the Netherlands were analyzed. The selection of individual countries was guided by the level of development of these systems in a given country and the availability of source documents. Conclusions: The presented analysis of the requirements for the use of voice alarm systems shows how different the approach to the use of this type of systems is. Depending on individual experiences and the administrative structure of a given country, a variety of regulations, whether legal or normative (not always normative documents issued by state standardization institutions), can be seen in the field of voice alarm systems application. Unfortunately, one can get the impression that voice alarm systems are still not as popular as fire detection systems. The definition of the requirements for buildings in which the use of voice alarm systems should be obligatory and the requirements for the determination of the required level of speech intelligibility constitute the basis for the consistent development of this type of fire protection equipment. Such requirements should be specified either in legal regulations or in normative acts dedicated to voice alarm systems.


Introduction
Voice alarm systems (VAS) are systems installed in construction facilities that enable the broadcast of warning signals and voice messages for the safety of people staying in these facilities [1, § 29, point 1]. Broadcast messages support the evacuation of people, enabling quick and safe exit from the danger zone or the fire zone.
Voice alarm systems first appeared in Polish legislation in 1998 [2], along with the requirement to obtain a certificate of conformity when placing on the market and using products for fire protection, including VAS (originally referred to as "fire alarm and evacuation broadcasting systems"). The obligatory use of voice alarm systems in selected building structures became effective in Poland from 16  However, the legal acts mentioned above did not specify how to design and install these systems. Therefore, over the years, various documents have been used: standards, guidelines or technical specifications. The standard PN-EN 60849:2001 [4] was most often used, but also PN-EN 50849:2017-04 [5]. However, these documents were very general and did not describe all possible solutions. The situation changed in 2021 after the publication of CNBOP-PIB/SITP guidelines (Association of Fire Engineers and Technicians) [6], which comprehensively describe the entire stage of VAS implementation -from concept, through design, installation, activation and maintenance.
The presence of VAS in Poland for almost 20 years has forced the need to subject the available literature, along with legal and normative acts, to an analysis with the elements of assessment, in order to learn and compare how VAS are SFT VOL. 57 ISSUE 1, 2021, PP. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] designed and installed in selected countries. Documents from Great Britain, Sweden, Norway, Germany and the Netherlands were analyzed. The comparative study covers a general description of the fire protection system in a given country in terms of the evacuation of people from buildings, analysis of documents relating to the design and installation of VAS in a given country and reference of these issues to Poland. As a result of the study, efforts were made to propose solutions that could be introduced into Polish legislation.

Republic of Poland
The provision regulating the use of voice alarm systems in According to the same regulation ( § 3.1), the voice alarm system must be made in accordance with the design agreed by an appraiser for fire protection, and its admittance for use is to be preceded by appropriate tests and tests confirming its correct operation. However, the regulation, unlike the regula- Zgodnie z tym samym rozporządzeniem ( § 3.1) dźwiękowy system ostrzegawczy musi być wykonany zgodnie z projektem uzgodnionym przez rzeczoznawcę do spraw zabezpieczeń przeciwpożarowych, SFT VOL. 57 ISSUE 1, 2021, PP. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] specifications that must be met by the systems required in the indicated facilities. It also does not indicate bodies or institutions that can confirm the fulfillment of these requirements. Moreover, the document does not refer to the features of the installation, such as the intelligibility of messages. There are also no specifications that must be met by ready, i.e. complete VAS installations. Verification of the correct operation of the voice alarm system should be carried out in accordance with the recommendations in this regard contained in standards and guidelines.
However, it should be borne in mind that in accordance with the Act on Fire Protection, the subassemblies introduced for use in Poland, which are included in the voice alarm systems, must undergo the admittance process described in another regulation. Such an approach to the related legal provisions -due to the lack of the described requirements regarding the sound level or the intelligibility of voice messages -did not affect  [6]. Dokument ten szczegółowo opisuje wszelkie aspekty związane z dźwiękowymi systemami ostrzegawczymi, odnosząc się zarówno do aspektów formalnych przedstawionych w formie wymagań, jak i innych związanych z projektowaniem instalacji, a mających wpływ na ich końcową jakość.
Wytyczne te kierowane są głównie do projektantów, instalatorów, konserwatorów, rzeczoznawców do spraw zabezpieczeń przeciwpożarowych, funkcjonariuszy z pionów kontrolno-rozpoznawczych SFT VOL. 57 ISSUE 1, 2021, PP. 6-24 The publication contains, among others, [6]: Importantly, the document on residential buildings in the first section B1 1.11 does not explicitly state that the use of a sound alarm system is required. According to the provisions, the use of such a system should be considered in two cases, i.e. when users may not react early to a fire alarm or when users are not familiarized with the fire protection conditions. In these cases, the system should meet the requirements of BS 5839-8:2013 [9]. In chapter 12, "Evacuation strategies" the standard indicates two basic methods of evacuation, the purpose of which is to ensure that in the event of a fire, building users (e.g. residents) will be able to reach the so-called place of ultimate safety located outside the building.
The first method is full and complete evacuation of the facility's users through the procedure of common (simultaneous) evacuation or phased evacuation. The second method mentioned in the standard is the progressive evacuation of the building's users to the designated zone, the so-called place of ultimate safety where they can stay or from which they can continue to evacuate to a safe zone within the system.
Common (simultaneous) evacuation should be the default procedure when it is not reasonable to expect that the users of the facility will remain in the facility for an extended period in the event of a fire threat.
Phased evacuation is described in the standard as a common approach that is adopted for use in high-rise premises with fire-rated floors or in some buildings with atriums. As part of a phased evacuation, the first to evacuate are the users of the the facility with reduced mobility, regardless of the floor on which they are located. Then, the evacuation covers the next storeys, in accordance with the standard, usually two floors at a time.
However, the use of common evacuation requires the use of, among others, a fire detection and fire alarm system of appropriate class and a voice alarm system designed in accordance with BS 5839-8, which is already listed as mandatory in The Building Regulations [8]. V2 -live alarm messages In addition to using the V1 function, one can also broadcast live messages to all zones simultaneously from the fireman's microphone. Examples of buildings where such a system is used are: entertainment centers, office buildings, multi-screen cinemas, hotels, large-format stores, schools.
V3 -live alarm messages to several alarm zones. In addition to using the V2 function, one can also broadcast live messages to different zones or groups of alarm zones from the fireman's microphone. This system is used in buildings mainly when the predetermined fire scenario does not cover all possible contingencies. In buildings with a V3 type voice alarm system, there should be an operator's room (e.g. a security room) with an accessible fireman's microphone. Examples of buildings where such a system is used are: shopping centers, office buildings, large multi-screen cinemas, hotels, reloading terminals, entertainment and sports halls.
V4 -manual controls. In addition to using the V3 function, it is also possible to manually select the alarm message previously recorded for the selected zone. Such a system can also disable or enable the voice message and display its status. It is recommended for facilities with personnel trained to evacuate in accordance with the evacuation plan The message can be formed as follows: 1. Signal 1 (immediate threat) according to SIS-TR 47 [14] for 5 seconds.   In section 11-10 "Technical installations" two design and installation requirements are described. According to this provision: 1. Technical installations should be designed and installed in a way that will not significantly increase the risk of a fire or the spread of a fire and smoke.   For instance an alarm system may also be required by insurance companies for facility insurance conditions, trade regulators, an employers' liability insurance association, and an act on hazardous incidents in accordance with the federal act on the protection against emissions or operating specifications. such a requirement has not been identified in the applicable regulations), criteria for measuring the intelligibility of alarm messages were defined. 10. In the Netherlands, England and Germany, periodic testing of the secondary functions of voice alarm systems (non-alarm related functions) is mandatory.
11. It is also worth emphasizing that the developed CNBOP-PIB/SITP guidelines [14] contain information that is not included in the analyzed documents from other European countries. They concern, among others, sound simulations and practical tips for applying the guidelines in real facilities and rooms (e.g. classrooms, large sales halls, cinema halls, theater halls, shopping malls, stadiums and auditoriums).

Conclusions
The presented analysis of the requirements for the use of These requirements should be reflected either in the legislative system or in normative acts dedicated to voice alarm systems.
In Poland, the list of facilities subject to VAS obligation is strictly defined, which in our opinion is a very good solution that deserves to be distinguished on a European scale. It is important that there are requirements (e.g. in the form of standards or guidelines) for the design, installation, use and maintenance of voice alarm systems, so that -based on them -people involved in the investment process and/or subsequent operation of the system could make optimal use of its functionality.