atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Other TDM Phone Systems Other Telephones & Systems Valcom paging

I have a customer with a mics and valcom paging. We didn't wire the place or install the system. just inherited the mess. The facility makes the paper trays that apples are packed in. They have fires all the time and need the paging to work all the time. It is a major safety issue. We go in once a year and do an audit, replace speakers and add were they feel we need to. The sound quality derades over that year period qquite a bit. We test the voltage listen to quality at each speaker. They have asked me about a wireless solutions, as replacing melted cable is expensive. Is there any such animal? Its good money, but I don't want to see someone get hurt because they didn't hear the page. The ienvironment is very harsh. Lots of heat, water and steam. Also very loud. Any good solutions or ideas. We have been told that to put everything in conduit is not an option because of the price. The building is as big as 7 football fields.

thanks
emmitt2727

Similar to a paper mill ---- did a lot of those a few years ago. Flash fires, high heat, caustic atmosphere, high noise levels, and everyone is wearing hearing protection.

Response was to go high into the structure, run conduit with drops to horns, multiple power supplies, and STROBE LIGHTS!

Any major paging supplier , or, security/fire alarm supplier should be able to assist you with a solution.

My 2 cents

KLD

Being from the sound business I'd do things a little different. A place of that size I would use a pair of regulated voltage amps (25v) with multiple line runs out to transformed horns (Atlas AP-15T). If redundancy is needed you could use dual transformers.

There is no secret here. Facilities such as yours need the high power application. Also, proper zoning both for power and audio, something that's often overlooked. Redundancy is the key! If the facilities primary fire alarm audible is not sufficent you can enhance paging with such devices. However, such devices may not be code(local) compliant. Installation of high-temp cable and/or conduit in certain "high risk areas" may be required. For heat/fire to damage facility infrastructure then a sprinkler system is not working properly! Also, any damaged equipment is covered under insurance! Your customer has a multi-million dollar operation here and cable replacement is too expensive?? Your concern for personnel harm bothers me. If local codes allow the paging system to be the primary means of emergency notification then you should seek legal advise. State and local codes are very specific in this regard.

jwooten,

The paging is not the only means for emergency notification. They have fire alarms that work very well. And little scanners that pick up hot spots in the trays after they are cooked. This is how they approached me with their concerns. I would love to have everything in conduit. I was just looking for some suggestion or different things to consider, possibly something more bullit-proof which these boards are great for. thanks for the help.
emmitt2727
Shawn