Dante and Voice Alarm
How modern voice alarm systems can employ
Dante audio networking technology to provide
compliant life safety solutions worldwide.
Table of Contents
About Dante...............................................................................3
About Voice Alarm......................................................................3
Voice Alarm and Audio Networking...........................................3
Functional Requirements of a Voice Alarm System...................4
Main Principals of Voice Alarm...................................................5
1. Intelligibility and Coverage...................................................5
2. Redundancy and Diversity..................................................5
3. Integrity Monitoring...............................................................5
4. Ease of Use..........................................................................5
Standards...................................................................................6
Codes of Practice.......................................................................6
Product Approval Standards......................................................6
Voice Alarm and Digital Audio Networking................................7
What the Standards Say.............................................................7
Redundancy...............................................................................8
Redundant Loops and Spanning Tree.......................................8
A-B Redundancy........................................................................9
Diversity....................................................................................10
2 Dante Secondary Connections................................................ 11
Monitoring.................................................................................12
SNMP........................................................................................12
Dante Domain Manager...........................................................12
System Access and Security....................................................13
EN 54 Compliance...................................................................14
Impact of EN 54........................................................................15
Integration of Voice Alarm with Building IT Networks..............16
Summary..................................................................................17
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About Dante
Dante is an uncompressed, multi-channel digital media networking
technology, that offers near-zero latency and complete synchronization
of audio signals. Dante is the preferred audio networking solution that
has been adopted by more pro-audio AV manufacturers than any other
networking technology. Thousands of Dante-enabled products are
available from the world’s leading audio manufacturers, enabling you to
easily and safely mix devices from multiple brands.
Dante is used extensively across
all professional audio applications.
About Voice Alarm
There are a variety of emergency situations that could justify building
operators ordering an evacuation. This is especially true when the affected
area is a public building, which has a large crowd of occupants.
In a workplace, all personnel can be an orderly response. A voice alarm
3 trained to recognize alarm tones and
signals, but in other situations it is
system is a sound system especially
designed for evacuation in an
important to have a voice to manage emergency.
Voice Alarm and Audio Networking
Audio networking is by now a well- alarm systems. As this paper illustrates,
established technology in wide use the standards surrounding emergency
across the AV industry, with leading systems highlight the suitability of
platforms like Dante offering capabilities audio networking in this critical area of
that make it uniquely well suited to voice public safety.
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Functional Requirements
of a Voice Alarm System
Fault Monitoring
Indicators
Control Processing
Manual Controls
CIE VA Zone Output
(Control & Indicating
Equipment) Power Amplifier
Emergency Mic
Fire Alarm Interface
Mains Power Standby
4
Audio Processing
Redundant Power Amplifier
Output to Fire Alarm Devices
Mains Power Standby
Mandatory
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4
Main Principals of Voice Alarm
There are four main principals for the design of a voice alarm system:
1
Intelligibility and Coverage
A system should be designed so that for an intelligible input, there is an
intelligible output.
The coverage of a building with such an intelligible output must include
all areas to where people might need to escape to safety, including the
designated escape routes
2 Redundancy and Diversity
All single points of failure must be minimized and preferably removed. The
more diversity designed into a system, the more likely it is that a larger
part of the system will operate when required and to a higher standard.
A/B circuits are the most common means of implementing diversity and
redundancy. This is where each area’s loudspeakers are fed from two
separate circuits.
We’ll discuss the diversity of network connections later in this document.
3
Integrity Monitoring
A system should be monitored in order to prove that for an acoustic
input there can be an acoustic output when required. This monitoring
must be automatic, except for the loudspeaker itself, which must
5 be manually checked by testing the system on a regular basis. The
monitoring must always be active, therefore it is not acceptable to
remove the monitoring at any time.
4 Ease of Use
A system will not fulfill its role if a user unfamiliar with the system cannot
operate it easily and intuitively. Nor will it fulfill its role if materials or
equipment are chosen that do not address all the risks; not just those
of fire. For example, vandalism, environmental factors, accidental
damage, etc. It should also be noted that operators of these systems
are often unskilled personnel.
User training is an essential part of any voice alarm project,
5
and many of the standards stipulate this as a requirement.
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Standards Codes of Practice
In order to ensure that a voice alarm These define the process you must go
system performs correctly in each through to ensure that you are putting
building, the industry has created in a compliant system. They also
standards to guide practitioners. define the expected performance,
design criteria, operation, and
In general, there are two types of
maintenance of such a system.
standard:
Example of codes of practice are:
Code of Practice
Product Approval standards NFPA 72
BS 5839-8
VDE 0833-4
NEN 2575-3
Product Approval Standards
These are to show that a product performs in a particular way or has been
through various tests. Product standards set out the parameters (and
sometimes the method) of testing. Normally a series of functional and
environmental tests are carried out.
Examples of product approval standards are:
EN 54-16 - voice alarm electronics (the VACIE)
EN 54-24 - loudspeakers
6 ISO 7240-24 - loudspeakers
Often a code of practice will recommend that
the products used comply with a particular
product test standard. In particular, European
countries codes of practice ask for products to
be tested to EN-54-16 and EN 54-24.
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Voice Alarm and Digital Audio Networking
Most voice alarm standards don’t mention how audio signals should pass.
They are not written to restrict whatever methods there are available. In
most cases any signal passes along a ‘transmission path’.
In general, as long as a signal goes from A to B and any failure in that
transmission is reported, then the system is compliant. Not only is the use of
digital audio networking allowed, but it is often a superior way of doing things.
Audio networking has a number of benefits:
1. Interference-free using fiber, and galvanically isolated so no
problems with different sources of power
2. Professional audio quality throughout – normally 24bit/48kHz,
well above the requirements of voice alarm standards
3. Ability to have almost instantaneous reporting of any fault –
well within the usual 100 second limit set by both standards
4. If one installs a network as a loop, you have the ability to
immediately use an alternate route using Spanning Tree if a
network segment were to fail
5. Redundancy can be implemented on a number of different levels
What the Standards Say
7 As mentioned above, in general the standards call everything a ‘transmission
path’ without defining whether that signal is analogue, digital, or networked.
There is no voice alarm standard that prohibits the use of audio networking or
makes any assertion that networking is not a suitable technique.
Some standards make specific reference to digital audio networks for example:
1. TS EN 54-32 simply mentions that Network switches must be tested
2. BS 5839-8 and BS 7827 have whole sections on the subject,
highlighting monitoring, redundancy, cabling requirements along
with some general good practice when using networks
3. VDE 0833-4 has some basic advice, which is reflective
7
of a standard written in 2007vels
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Redundancy
Computer networks in general offer various methods of
achieving redundancy. Furthermore, Dante has some additional,
proprietary redundancy features.
Redundant Loops and Spanning Tree
Voice alarm standards expect there to One such problem would be for a
be no single point of failure. Points of network cable to fail. There is a well-
failure are identified during the detailed established technique to prevent the
engineering phase and highlighted on system from failing and that is to use
the risk assessment that is created to Spanning Tree.
demonstrate that you have considered
all potential problems.
Node
Switch
Node Switch Switch Node
Switch
Fault
Reported
Node
8
Stillworking
All working
The last link is physically, but not logically, connected.
Node
Switch
Node Switch Switch Node
Switch
Fault
Reported
Node
8
Still working
When a link breaks the redundant is engaged.
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Redundancy (continued)
A-B Redundancy
It is common for most voice would have one loudspeaker. Even
alarm systems to deploy A and B then the A circuit would be in the room
loudspeaker circuits in each zone. Only (perhaps a restroom) and the B circuit
very small or low occupancy spaces would be in the adjacent corridor.
Room 1 Room 2 Room 3
Amplifier
Amplifier
This form of redundancy can extend to audio networks
where you install two networks. This means having two
network switches at each rack location.
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Redundancy (continued)
Sometimes you would have separate amplifiers
for A and B loudspeaker circuits. This is the
common approach when using pro-audio
equipment for voice alarm. Alternatively some
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systems have a hot spare amplifier that cuts in.
Diversity
In addition to redundancy, it’s important be damaged, therefore a secondary
to consider if diverse cabling routes are route is advised subject to the risk
also required. This is to allow for the assessment for the voice alarm system,
fact that a particular cabling route may
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Redundancy (continued)
Dante Secondary Connections
In terms of voice alarm a Dante secondary connection is not a
true redundant connection because the primary and secondary
connections end up in the same Dante card on the product, which is a
single point of failure. However, that does not mean that the secondary
connection is not helpful for a redundant voice alarm network.
On the assumption that one is secondary to separate network
installing a fully redundant network switches, this means that all Dante
using two switches at each rack, then devices will continue to operate even if
the Dante secondary allows for a there is a failure in the network.
further level of resilience as you can
Aside from this, voice alarm standards
connect the secondary connection into
require that best industry practice is
the other switch.
always followed, and this would be to
Normal A-B redundancy means that use the secondary connections, where
if you have a failure then 50% of the available, because of the additional
system will continue to work. However, resilience they provide.
by connecting the primary and the
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Monitoring
In order to ensure the integrity of a transmission path it must be
monitored. Exactly how this is done is not as important as the fact that
it is being done and any faults are reported to the user within the time
period specified in the standard applicable to your location.
SNMP
Monitoring devices on a network is provide details for their products which
commonplace in the IT world and can then be used to verify the status of
switches and many endpoints can be individual switch ports.
monitored using SNMP (Simple Network
Several manufacturers also make rack
Management Protocol). Audinate
monitors that can be interrogated using
provide a MIB file to allow browsing
SNMP, so it is possible to remotely
across the network but note that not
determine temperature, humidity and
all manufacturers allow this on their
even if rack doors have been opened.
products. Switch manufacturers will also
Dante Domain Manager
Dante Domain Manager has many users if there are any problems. It is
useful functions. For voice alarm it also a very convenient way to lock
has the ability to monitor the presence devices so configurations can only be
on-line of registered devices and alert changed by authorized users.
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Monitoring devices on a network is commonplace in the IT
world and switches and many endpoints can be monitored
using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol).
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System Access and Security
Most standards will state that access to the system is to be
divided into different access levels with different personnel able
to do different things at each level.
ACCESS LEVEL PERMITTED ACCESS FUNCTIONALITY
The end-user can perform normal daily oper-
ations such as paging or routing background
1
music. There should be indication to the user
End User
if there is a fault with the system or if an alarm
has been triggered but they should not be
able to mute the alarm.
2
The skilled user can do everything a Level
Skilled User 1 user can do plus mute/reset fault buzzers
and silence alarms.
3
The maintenance technician should be able
Maintenance Technician to do everything from the lower levels plus
replace faulty equipment.
4
Access Level 4 allows you to do anything to
System Designer
the system including reconfiguring it.
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EN 54 Compliance
EN 54 is the most talked about topic in voice alarm and is widely
misunderstood. As mentioned above when you design, install, operate
and maintain a VA system you must follow a Code of Practice.
These standards or codes tell you Construction Products Directive,
how to go about doing the job, and this has now changed to the CPR –
that is really the most important thing. Construction Products Regulation; they
If your voice alarm system is not are essentially the same thing.
designed, installed, operated and
The CPR is EU law, you have to abide
maintained correctly you will have an
by it. It stipulates that (normally) you
unsafe system.
must use a product that has been
However, some of these standards also independently tested to a particular
require that you use products that have product test standard.
been specifically tested for voice alarm
In the case of voice alarm these are:
use. They will say that you need to use
products tested to EN 54-16 and 24. EN 54-16 for electronics
EN 54 is a series of standards, mostly EN 54-24 for loudspeakers
not related to voice alarm. Only
some are product test standards. For
EN 54-4 for power supplies
example, TS EN 54-32 is another code So whilst no standard is law,
of practice. the CPR is law.
14 The product test standards were
needed as a result of the CPD – the
When voice alarm electronics are tested, they get an EN 54-16
certificate. Note that a product is an entire system - not an amplifier
or processor but the whole functioning system. For testing purposes
a ‘representative sample’ is tested. Obviously in the real world, every
system is different and many be spread across multiple racks.
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Impact of EN 54
An EN 54 certificate is a certificate of conformity to allow
free movement of goods across EU borders.
The commercial reality is that EN 54 certificates have become critical
to voice alarm within and beyond the EU. They are seen as a ‘mark of
quality’, even though that was never their intention under the Directive.
In the past some have had problems arose in that the EN 54-16 tests require
achieving EN 54 compliance for voice traceability of all software. This is tricky
alarm using audio networking. This if you are sourcing the switch from
has simply been because of the another manufacturer, who is
Ethernet switch. probably unwilling to give out details
of their code. However this issue has
After some debate, it has become
been resolved.
clear that the Ethernet switch is part of
the voice alarm system (in the parlance This is because most Ethernet switches
of EN 54-16 - the VACIE) and cannot run Linux or uCLinux, and the software
be considered as part of the cannot be listed and verified, and
distribution infrastructure. therefore not submitted for certification.
This interpretation is a subject of some
Therefore you have to test the Switch as
debate; EN 54-16 Annex C states
part of the VACIE. However, most voice
that products are acceptable if there
15
alarm and audio manufacturers do not
is sufficient information to allow their
make Ethernet Switches. EN 54-16
performance to be evaluated. It states
doesn’t care about this. If the switch is
that such products must be in wide use
needed it has to be tested, even though
(beyond just the voice alarm world), use
this might be a third-party product for
proven technology, and have more than
the manufacturer to procure.
one year of use in the field.
Testing of the switch is exactly the
same as everything else. One problem
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Integration of Voice Alarm with
Building IT Networks
A common discussion concerns whether an Ethernet based audio network
can share the building’s standard IT network. There are advantages to this
as it allows the audio to be properly integrated into the other IT systems on
site, but there are some issues that arise from this.
One is that the overall latency of of the complexity of upgrading that
an audio network is defined by the network to deal with the requirements
number of switch ‘hops’ a networked for voice alarm. It is, however,
audio signal may pass through. common for voice alarm equipment
Changes to the network by the IT team to share the same cable routes and
may require liaison with the voice rack rooms as the IT equipment, but
alarm maintainer to ensure the audio to use its own switches for the critical
network is not affected. signal path. It is also usual to connect
the voice alarm system into the
The other issue, more pertinent
building’s IT network for control and
to voice alarm, is that you must
monitoring purposes.
remember that the voice alarm
system needs to be redundant and If an Ethernet network is used to
have appropriate back up power. link both audio and control in many
This means that all elements of the locations, not only would it be prudent
building’s IT network that form part of to run different services on different
the critical signal path would have to VLANs wherever possible, but the
16 have redundancy and backup power
too. Such provision may cost much
switches should also be connected
in a spanning tree ring and monitored
more than giving the audio system a using SNMP or other tools.
dedicated network using its own CAT-5
It would be very difficult (but not
or fiber. If a separate network is used,
completely impossible) to have an
it is still possible to have control and
EN 54-16 compliant VA system that
monitoring of the VA system, as well as
worked as part of the building IT
non-critical audio signals connected
network. To achieve this you would
into the building’s IT network.
need to use the switches tested as
In general, voice alarm systems do not part of the EN 54-16 process.
use the building’s IT network because
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Summary
Dante digital audio solutions have been used for voice alarm
purposes almost as long as Dante has been around. The
first Dante life safety system was deployed in 2008 with 148
channels of amplification. Since that time, the flexibility that
Dante offers the audio industry in general has also been proven
to match those of the needs of life safety.
Across codes and standards worldwide, Dante can provide
fully compliant audio for life-safety solutions that is cost-
effective and easy to use.
For more information about Dante, please visit:
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