Does Your Emergency Communications System Measure Up?
Mass Notification Resources
U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security
The 83-page National Emergency Communication Plan, published in 2008 during the Bush Administration as directed by Congress, promotes the ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to communicate without interruption in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, and to ensure, accelerate, and attain interoperable emergency communications nationwide.
National Fire Protection Association
NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, goes far beyond fire. Chapter 24, Emergency Communications Systems, specifies rules (codes) for recorded or synthesized voice messaging, colored strobe lights, audible tones, visual notification, message wording, public address, wide-area notification, high-power speakers, wired and wireless delivery, control units, staff training, and much more.
National Institute of Building Sciences
The Unified Facilities Criteria, published through the National Institute of Building Sciences’ Whole Building Design Guide, mandates the installation of mass notification systems in all Dept. of Defense buildings. It provides planning, design, construction, sustainment, restoration, and modernization criteria. Though geared for Defense installations, UFC is routinely consulted in the commercial world.
This article was originally posted on Campus Safety‘s sister site MNEC.com.
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