SigTEL EVC System Operator Instructions

SigTEL EVC System
CONTENTS
1. Emergency Voice Communication (EVC) Systems ...................................... 1
2. Safety .............................................................................................................. 2
3. System Overview ............................................................................................ 2
4. Types of Outstation ........................................................................................ 2
5. Making a Call from an Outstation .................................................................. 2
6. Answering a Call at an Outstation ................................................................. 3
7. Dial Unit (ECU) ................................................................................................ 3

1. Emergency Voice Communication (EVC) Systems

EVC systems are telephone and/or intercom systems that are designed to operate reliably in a fire
emergency. This means that the equipment and wiring is monitored for faults that might occur before the
emergency and the cabling is designed to ensure that the equipment keeps working during an emergency.
There are two types of EVC systems; disabled refuge systems and fire telephone systems. They may be
separate, or they may be combined into one system.
Disabled refuge system
A disabled refuge system connects hands-free outstations to a central control room and is used during a
fire emergency to inform the management that someone needs immediate assistance to evacuate from
the building.
Fire telephone system
A fire telephone system is used by management (and marshals at a sports ground) and the fire service
before, during and after a fire to communicate with fire marshals and fire fighters.
Regulations affecting EVC systems
Disabled refuge systems are called for by DETR Approved document B (Fire safety) volume 2, section 4,
Design for vertical escape and BS 5588 Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings,
Part 8, Code of practice for means of escape for disabled people.
Fire telephone systems for buildings are called for by BS 5588 Fire precautions in the design, construction
and use of buildings Part 5; Code of practice for firefighting stairs and lifts, Part 10; Code of practice for
shopping complexes and Part 11; Code of practice for shops, offices, industrial, storage and other similar
buildings.
Fire telephone systems for sports venues are called for by the Guide to safety at sports grounds.
The installation of EVCs is covered by BS 5839-9 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings -
Part 9: Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of emergency voice
communication systems.
SigTEL
Emergency Voice
Communication System
Operator Instructions
Approved Document No. DCP0001928 Rev 2 Page 1 of 5