- Emergency Warning System ("EWS")
An Emergency Warning System ("EWS") is forms part of the life safety systems in a building to facilitate the orderly evacuation, relocation or direction of personnel during a fire or other emergency. An emergency warning system is different to a building occupant warning system.
To achieve this an emergency warning system includes capabilities to broadcast audible and visual messages over a network of monitored loudspeakers and visual emergency warning signals throughout a building. Loudspeakers are distributed throughout a building to ensure;
- warning signals and messages satisfy a specific sound pressure level (volume) and are distinctly audible throughout all required areas of the building;
- warning messages intelligible (clearly understood) by the occupants.
In certain circumstances, an emergency warning system may also incorporate an emergency intercom system to enable two-way voice communication between wardens to assist orderly evacuation of the building occupants in an emergency.