Voice Alarm Systems (VAS) should only be specified and designed by qualified professionals with an indepth knowledge of these systems.
For further information, the ISCVE has produced a range of useful Voice Alarm Systems Guides which you can download here:

The following text has been taken from one of the guides to introduce the benefits of installing a Voice Alarm System and of the ongoing maintenance required to ensure its' efectiveness:

"Voice Alarm System Designers and Specifiers should have a full understanding of the relevant applicable Standards, and have received formal training from academic or a recognised industry body.

It would also be an advantage to have had hands-on experience of these systems in an installation, commissioning or maintenance capacity.

Under the right circumstances, Voice Alarm Systems (VAS) in buildings have been proven to be the most effective way to evacuate the premises in the event of an emergency. This is primarily because people respond more promptly to a verbal message, as opposed to a Fire Alarm sounder or bell.
This is because a VAS uses the ‘spoken’ word, giving clear instructions of the action that needs to be taken.

This is particularly important in buildings where a) occupants are only visiting on a temporary basis and may not be familiar with their surroundings [eg shopping centres, transport terminals, public buildings and the like] and b) large buildings that operate a phased evacuation Cause and Effect strategy.

Messages may be pre-recorded (triggered by a monitored link from the Automatic Fire Detection system) or live announcement broadcasts from an emergency microphone(s) at a Fire Control location in the building.

Voice Alarm Systems must meet the requirements of the current versions of BS 5839-8, BS EN 54-16, BS EN 54- 24, the Consultants system performance specification and local regulatory requirements.

BS EN 50849 covers Sound Systems for Emergency purposes (but not linked to a Fire Alarm system). In Sports Stadia BS 7827 and The Green Guide should be consulted.

The importance of these systems cannot be under-estimated. They are critical life safety systems that need to operate after a fire has started and continue working throughout the entire emergency evacuation process.

Therefore, they must be highly secure and robust – utilising fire-rated cabling, secondary power supplies (integral batteries) and full system monitoring to ensure any faults are notified promptly, so that repairs can be completed without delay. These are emergency evacuation systems that must be available at all times – they do save lives.

Public Address (PA) Systems, where not relied upon for use in emergencies, do not qualify as VAS, as they do not meet any of the above Standards.

Responsible Premises Management, as defined in BS5839-8:2023 Section 6, need to be aware that they have a legal responsibility for ensuring the correct operation, testing and maintenance of these critical life safety systems is carried out – and for maintaining up-to-date records.

Ongoing operational training, testing and maintenance arrangements of the VAS all come under the legal duties of the single nominated member of the Premises Management. This includes documented weekly testing of the VAS by nominated staff in accordance with clause 39.1 in BS 5839-8:2023 and documented 6 and 12 monthly maintenance inspections by a competent organisation with adequate access to spares and a good knowledge of the system, in accordance with clauses 40.1 and 40.2 in BS5839-8:2023.

Consideration may also be given to having the VAS system third-party verified upon completion of the installation, or, if the system has been inherited – or if service and maintenance records are not available.

The ISCVE offers the ‘VA for Responsible Premises Management’ training course, designed to understand the legal responsibilities of this role."

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further advice about the design, commisioning or testing of Voice Alarm Systems.
Please also see our blog posts about our Rack Building Service which includes PAVA rack builds, fully tested and certified.