Public Address and Voice Alarm (PAVA) systems have risen in popularity over the recent months, but what are they and how can your business benefit?
A public address system is just that, a series of speakers within a zone that can be used for addressing the public. Whilst it’s long been a recommendation of BS5839:8 that PAVA systems are installed in public buildings, many businesses, including large industrial or manufacturing sites, and multiple occupancy buildings and are now also taking advantage.
During routine hours, the PAVA system can perform a variety of tasks:
However, it’s when the system becomes a voice alarm that the benefits really emerge. How many times have you been in a building when the fire alarm has sounded? We’re all guilty of looking around to gauge everyone else’s reaction before deciding if it’s a false alarm or not. Those few precious seconds could be vital in ensuring a safe evacuation. This phenomenon, often referred to as ‘alarm complacency’, is a major risk factor during an emergency.
With a PAVA system integrated with the fire alarm system, an instant pre-recorded announcement can be broadcast explaining the risk and issuing immediate instruction. Recent research has shown that people remain calm when a clear and intelligible message is transmitted. For example, studies have indicated that occupants who hear a recorded voice message will evacuate a building in around four minutes, compared to over six minutes for those hearing only a tone signal, according to the British Standards Association (BSI). As a result, this ensures a quick, safe and efficient evacuation. This enhanced response is crucial, particularly in sectors like leisure facilities, transport hubs, and high-rise office buildings where fast, decisive action is critical for life safety.
The importance of PAVA systems has been consistently highlighted by revisions to safety standards and recent fire statistics. The latest version of the relevant UK standard, BS 5839-8:2023, outlines the code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of voice alarm systems, emphasising their role in life safety. Compliance with this standard is critical for responsible persons, particularly given the persistent risk of fire. For instance, Fire and Rescue Services attended 7,033 workplace fires in England alone in the last year, with industrial premises, food and drink outlets, and retail establishments being among the most at-risk properties, according to data from the Home Office.
In addition to compliance, modern PAVA systems offer intelligent features like ambient noise sensing, which automatically adjusts the volume of announcements to ensure intelligibility, a key requirement for effective evacuation messages.
The system can also phase announcements to specific zones, so you can evacuate those zones at immediate risk first. Remaining, less critical zones can then follow. In buildings where there are several floors, or complex layouts, this phased evacuation planning can prove vital in ensuring a safe as possible evacuation. This zonal functionality is paramount in managing large scale emergencies. For a coordinated safety response, it is essential that the PAVA system can integrate seamlessly with other building technologies, such as passive fire protection elements and smoke control systems.
Beyond fire, PAVA systems are also critical in other types of emergency, providing an essential layer to a comprehensive business continuity plan. In buildings, venues or areas at risk of security threats, such as a terrorist attack or an active shooter scenario, a PAVA system can issue clear, calm instructions on how to respond. Simply sounding a fire alarm system without the backup of a voice alarm could cost precious time in this situation, highlighting the need for versatile emergency communication strategies, especially in complex environments like healthcare facilities or education premises. The integration of PAVA into a wider security framework is increasingly common, allowing for coordinated responses across CCTV monitoring and access control.
The daily public address function should not be overlooked, as it offers significant operational benefits, from managing customer flow in logistics warehouses to broadcasting critical shift changes. However, the true value of a PAVA system lies in its dual-purpose functionality. For businesses considering an upgrade, investing in a system that complies with the latest EN 54 standards and integrates smart capabilities is a crucial step towards future-proofing your premises. This includes features like digital signal processing (DSP) to maintain message clarity even in noisy environments, which is essential for ensuring your fire safety champions can coordinate an effective evacuation based on clear instructions. As technology advances, PAVA systems are becoming core components of smart building management, offering unparalleled reliability and control during critical incidents. For a deeper understanding of regulatory requirements, it is worth exploring the detailed guidance provided by the UK Government’s fire safety risk assessment guides for various venues.
For more information on how a PAVA system can benefit your business, contact our expert team on 0330 094 7404. Alternatively, leave your details and we’ll be in touch shortly.
