|
We've been called back for service work to a recent voice fire alarm system installation, where we found that the elementary school is using the voice fire alarm system as their public address system (announcements, etc).
Is there anything codewise that prohibits this? On one hand, it should allow the system to possibly become more reliable since they'll report outages right away; I'm mostly just concerned with less trained staff using fire alarm equipment and having messages come from speakers labeled as "FIRE ALARM." What are your thoughts on this? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
11 Comments
Glenn Berger
5/18/2026 08:06:10 am
Using the Fire Notification for Public Address announcements is not prohibited. It must be set for the lowest priority.
Andrew
5/21/2026 03:11:20 am
The mic is typically the same one used for fire service, meaning it has highest priority. Aside from when something special is devised like what Darin commented, this is just how systems are set up for PA by and large, probably because it seems to meet the intent and everyone's expectations. 5/18/2026 08:11:32 am
It is good that the FA Voice system is used public announcements. School personnel should bring in the service company for additional training and confidence training. The system should not be feared or avoided. You never know when it will be needed. The service company should have the confidence in their installed system and work and stand behind it. Consideration should be give to replace the "FIRE" speakers with "ALERT" speakers as the voice evacuation system is more than just a fire alarm.
Matthew Mueller
5/18/2026 08:17:10 am
Allowed, and to your point on reliability, almost encouraged. IBC 2021, 907.5.2.2.3 says: "Alternative uses. The emergency
Darin
5/18/2026 09:36:04 am
What Matthew said is the code path for allowance. However, this is where the listing of most EVACS panels falls short. If a staff member is making a public announcement (keying the mic), 907.5.2.2.3 says that the fire alarm takes precedence over any other use. Unfortunately, if the mic is in use when an initiator triggers an alarm, the system will not activate the audible features of the notifiers (prerecorded message and horns) because the mic takes priority over all inputs. Some panels can receive a firmware input to allow them to be programmed around this but most cant. What we have required in our jurisdiction is the installation of a separate mic that does not have priority over all inputs, that is exclusively used for non-emergency public announcements.
robb karlin
5/24/2026 08:55:16 am
many of these systems have a BGM input - use a seperate mic console and wire it into the BGM inputs... all fire and mns features overide BGN - even on these more simpler units
Mark
5/26/2026 01:43:43 am
May also want to consider lockdowns, as it may be desirable for a lockdown announcement to take priority over a fire alarm activation.
sean
5/18/2026 08:45:28 pm
yes but once the system is for dual purpose a bunch of regulations change. the signs, devices, etc all have some differences but allowed.
Brett
5/19/2026 08:33:58 am
Are the changes you refer to in NFPA 72 or the IBC? Do you have a code section I could reference to find these changes?
robb karlin
5/24/2026 08:53:22 am
Of course if properly set up... however some schools have their PA systems zoned for more selective paging - say you want to choose a single class room to call a student into the principals office ... as well as some school PAs have talk back features - such as with Bogen or Atlas systems... However these are not listed as these systems do not supervise wiring, amp failure, and do not have standby supervised emergency power - If you want to use a FMCP such as Notifier, FCI, Simplex edeards, et al ECS systems- microphones are prioritized, all have Alert, FIRE and Page selection with proper override features.. many have zones selective paging... few are even addressable. MNS systems are encouraged to be used as a PA with PA settings- as familiarity brings confidence and cost savings. 6/17/2026 02:03:58 am
Very informative post! Choosing the right public address system for school improves safety and coordination. Leave a Reply. |
ALL-ACCESS
SUBSCRIBESubscribe and learn something new each day:
COMMUNITYTop May '26 Contributors
YOUR POSTPE EXAMGet 100 Days of Free Sample Questions right to you!
FILTERS
All
ARCHIVES
June 2026
PE PREP SERIES |
RSS Feed
