As a result, Bosch's all-digital Praesideo is the first PA/VA system to be independently TÜV tested to EN/IEC60849 certification for sound systems for emergency purposes. This means Bosch can assure not just installers but also fire departments, consultants/specifiers and end users that the PA systems they are using comply to the strictest requirements of the EN60849 standard for public buildings. These include airports, stadia, entertainment venues, railway stations and termini, retail stores and shopping centres etc.
The main requirement of EN60849 met by Praesideo are that all alarm signals should be generated within three seconds of the detection of a calamity and that the system must be able to make a call within 10 seconds of system start-up. Also a failure of a single amplifier must not result in total loss of coverage in any zone. The system must also be capable of broadcasting tones and speech including pre-recorded speech simultaneously to all zones.
Another major TÜV requirement met by Praesideo is self-monitoring. This requires that all system failures are automatically reported within 100 seconds covering primary and secondary power supplies, microphones, the total audio path, amplifiers and back up amplifiers, pre-recorded messages and signal generator, loudspeaker circuits and the microprocessor. Also the last 99 faults must be stored for easy retrieval, and pre-recorded messages must be stored in non-volatile form and be continuously monitored.
The TÜV testing is part of Bosch's quality assurance philosophy of certifying not only the current Praesideo release but also future releases and other newly developed voice evacuation products. This level of independent testing demonstrates that Bosch Security Systems apply the strictest design criteria when providing PA and emergency voice alarm systems.
Certification is only part of Bosch's strategy to help the end user and consultant choose the right product and partner for the design and installation of a voice evacuation system. Another major factor is the Praesideo Partners Programme that ensures that any Praesideo design and installation project is carried out by approved and trained consultants.
Praesideo is the worlds first voice alarm to provide a fully digital CD quality sound transmission based on networking. It uses optical fibre cable, which allows a single cable to carry all sound and control signals including power, thus simplifying installation and improving reliability. All functions such as message generation and storage, control etc are integrated within the system. Functions can be accessed remotely via an integrated web interface to other Praesideo Systems and also to third party equipment such as fire detection systems, flight information display systems, paging desks and control rooms. Praesideo also provides 28 CD interference free digital audio channels, with full redundancy of the audio path. The system is flexible for easy configuration and scalable for any size of installation.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
