Attachment 20 - Mass Notification Systems - 23Oct20.pdf

Attachment 20 – FA488721R0003 Mass Notification System

23 October 2020

Mass Notification Systems

1. This memorandum summarizes the requirements when applying intelligibility criteria to mass notification systems for AF projects.

2. The following is a summary of the criteria:

a. Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 4-010-01, DoD Minimum Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings, requires that mass notification be provided as follows:

B-4.7 Standard 22. Mass Notification. All inhabited buildings must have a timely means to notify occupants of threats and instruct them what to do in response to those threats. To achieve that goal, provide the following:

B-4.7.1 New Buildings. All new inhabited buildings must have a capability to provide real-time information to building occupants or personnel in the immediate vicinity of the building during emergency situations. The information relayed must be specific enough to determine the appropriate response actions. Any system, procedure, or combination thereof that provides this capability will be acceptable under this standard. Refer to UFC 4-021-01 for further guidance.

B-4.7.2 Existing Buildings. For existing buildings, the above requirement is mandatory for primary gathering buildings, billeting, and high occupancy family housing, but recommended for all inhabited buildings.

b. UFC 4-010-01 implements these requirements when certain financial or construction trigger points are met. An abbreviated summary follows:

1-6.1 New Construction. Implementation of these standards is mandatory for all new construction regardless of funding source in accordance with the following ...

1-6.2 Existing Buildings. These standards will apply to existing facilities starting with the Fiscal Year 2004 program when triggered as specified below, regardless of funding source.

Projects funded prior to that fiscal year should comply with these standards where possible.

For existing leased buildings see paragraph 1-6.4.

1-6.2.1 Major Investments. Implementation of these standards to bring an entire building into compliance is mandatory for all DoD building renovations, modifications, repairs, and restorations where those costs exceed 50% of the replacement cost of the building except as otherwise stated in these standards. The 50% cost is exclusive of the costs identified to meet these standards. Where the 50% threshold is not met, compliance with these standards is recommended.

1-6.2.2 Conversion of Use. Implementation of these standards is mandatory when any portion of a building is modified from its current use to that of an inhabited building, billeting, high occupancy family housing, or a primary gathering building for one year or more. Examples would include a warehouse (low occupancy) being converted to administrative (inhabited) use and an inhabited administrative building being converted to a primary gathering building or billeting.

1-6.3 Building Additions. Inhabited additions to existing inhabited buildings will comply with the minimum standards for new buildings. If the addition is 50% or more of the gross area of the existing building, the existing building will comply with the minimum standards for existing buildings in Appendix B.

1-6.4 Leased Buildings. DoD personnel occupying leased buildings deserve the same level of protection as those in DoD-owned buildings. Implementation of these standards is therefore mandatory for all facilities leased for DoD use and for those buildings in which DoD receives a space assignment from another government agency except as established ...

1-6.5 Expeditionary and Temporary Structures. Implementation of these standards is mandatory for all expeditionary and temporary structures that meet the occupancy criteria for inhabited or primary gathering buildings or billeting. See Appendix D for structure types that meet the expeditionary and temporary structures criteria.

UFC 4-010-01 has unique and specific definitions for building types as follows:

Inhabited building. Buildings or portions of buildings routinely occupied by 11 or more DoD personnel and with a population density of greater than one person per 430 gross square feet. This density generally excludes industrial, maintenance, and storage facilities, except for more densely populated portions of those buildings such as administrative areas. The inhabited building designation also applies to expeditionary and temporary structures with similar population densities. In a building that meets the criterion of having 11 or more personnel, with portions that do not have sufficient population densities to qualify as inhabited buildings, those portions that have sufficient population densities will be considered inhabited buildings while the remainder of the building may be considered low occupancy, subject to provisions of these standards. An example would be a hangar with an administrative area within it. The administrative area would be treated as an inhabited building while the remainder of the hangar could be treated as low occupancy.

(Note: This definition differs significantly from the definition for inhabited building used by DoD 6055.9-STD and is not construed to be authorization to deviate from criteria of DoD 6055.9-STD.)

Low occupancy building. Any building or portion of a building occupied by fewer than 11 DoD personnel or with a population density of one person per 430 gross square feet or less.

High occupancy family housing. Family housing with 13 or more units per building.

Billeting. Any building or portion of a building, regardless of population density, in which 11 or more unaccompanied DoD personnel are routinely housed, including Temporary Lodging Facilities and military family housing permanently converted to unaccompanied housing. Billeting also applies to expeditionary and temporary structures with similar populations and functions.

Primary gathering building. Inhabited buildings routinely occupied by 50 or more DoD personnel.

This designation applies to the entire portion of a building that meets the population density requirements for an inhabited building. For example, if a portion of an inhabited building has 50 or more people in it, the entire inhabited portion of the building will be considered a primary gathering building. Inhabited buildings whose populations are increased through inhabited building additions such that the combined building meets the definition of a primary gathering building will be considered to be primary gathering buildings for their entire inhabited portions. The primary gathering building designation also applies to expeditionary and temporary structures with similar populations and population.

d. UFC 4-021-01, Design and O&M: Mass Notification Systems, implements the

• requirements of UFC 4-010-01 as follows:

1-3 SCOPE. This UFC provides the design, operation, and maintenance requirements of MNS for DOD facilities. The requirement for a MNS is established by UFC 04-010-01. This document is intended to assist in the design of systems that meet the requirement established by UFC 04- 010-01 and to give guidance to commanders, architects, engineers, and end users on design, operation, and maintenance of MNS.

1-3.1 Applicability. This UFC applies to new construction, major renovations, and leased buildings and must be used in accordance with the applicability requirements of UFC 4-010-01 or as directed by service guidance. See UFC 4-010-01 for more information on the applicability requirements.

e. UFC 4-021-01 requires the following intelligibility measurements be provided for those areas where MNS is required:

New Buildings: All new inhabited buildings must have a capability to provide real-time information to building occupants or personnel in the immediate vicinity of the building during emergency situations. The information relayed must be specific enough to determine the appropriate response actions. Any system, procedure, or combination thereof that provides this capability will be acceptable under this standard. Refer to UFC 4-021-01 for further guidance… [4.7.1] New Construction: Implementation of these standards is mandatory for all new construction regardless of funding source in accordance with the following ... [1-6.1] (Ref: UFC 4-021-01; Chapter #4, 4.7.1; Chapter #1, 1-6.1)

4-6.1.3 Army- and Air Force-Specific Requirements

Verify intelligibility by measurement after installation.

Ensure that a CIS score greater than 0.8 is provided in each area where building occupants normally could be found. Note: Values of 0.75 through 0.84 will be rounded to 0.8.

Areas of the building provided with hard wall and ceiling surfaces (such as metal or concrete) that are found to cause excessive sound reflections may be permitted to have a CIS score less than 0.8 if approved by the DOD installation, and if building occupants in these areas can determine that a voice signal is being broadcast and they must walk no more than 10 m (33 ft) to find a location with a CIS score of at least 0.8.

Areas of the building where occupants are not expected to be normally present are permitted to have a CIS score less than 0.8 if personnel can determine that a voice signal is being broadcast and they must walk no more than 15 m (50 ft) to a location with a CIS score of at least 0.8.

Measurements should be taken near the head level applicable for most personnel in the space under normal conditions (e.g., standing, sitting, sleeping, as appropriate).

Commercially available test instrumentation shall be used to measure intelligibility as specified by

IEC 60849 and IEC 60268-16. The mean value of at least three readings shall be used to compute the intelligibility score at each test location.

Note: An STI score of 0.7 is considered equivalent to a CIS score of 0.8.

1. The intention of UFC 4-021-01 is to provide a MNS meeting intelligibility requirements in all buildings or portions of buildings where required by UFC 4-010-01. Additionally, optional MNS

(i.e., systems provided in facilities where mandatory implementation has not yet been triggered) that is installed in inhabited, billeting, high occupancy family housing, and primary gathering buildings shall be designed to meet the minimum intelligibility requirements.

2. UFC 4-021-01 does not require MNS be installed in buildings or portions of buildings classified as low occupancy buildings. Additionally, if optional MNS is installed in low occupancy buildings, it is not the intent of UFC 4-021-01 to require the optional MNS meet minimum intelligibility requirements. The system should be audible and acceptable to the building occupants, but verification of intelligibility is not required. In cases of combination MNS and fire alarm systems in low occupancy buildings, the fire alarm audible signal must meet NFPA 72 minimum sound pressure levels for audibility- but, again, intelligibility is not required.

UFC 4-021-01; Change 1, January 2010

2-2 CAPABILITY. Mass notification provides real-time information and instructions to people in a building, area, site, or DOD installation using intelligible voice communications along with visible signals, text, and graphics, and possibly including tactile or other communication methods. MNS are intended to protect life by Indicating the existence of an emergency situation and instructing people of the necessary and appropriate response and action.

2-6.1.1 Interconnection with Individual Building MNS. The wide area MNS manufacturer shall provide a standard interface method (such as an audio line-level output and multiple relay contacts) or supply the necessary digital communication protocols to permit the DOD installation to select more than one manufacturer of individual building MNS. Depending on system architecture, the manufacturer may be required to provide a system Internet Protocol (IP) interface capable of allowing data.

2-6.2 Individual Building MNS. Individual building MNS are installed to provide real-time information to all building occupants or personnel in the immediate vicinity of a building, including exterior egress and gathering areas. These systems are designed to operate from one or more locations in the building, and operate with or without connection to a wide area MNS-but must be connected to with the wide area MNS if one is provided on the DOD installation. All DOD components are required to provide individual building mass notification capability.

3-5.2 On-Installation Control. The central control stations shall control the operation of outdoor speakers on the DOD installation. Communications shall be provided between the central control stations and individual building MNS.

CHAPTER 5

INDIVIDUAL BUILDING MNS FOR RENOVATION PROJECTS

5-1 SCOPE. Individual building MNS are intended to provide real-time information to personnel within and in the immediate vicinity of buildings on a DOD installation.

These systems are required by UFC 4-010-01 for new construction and renovation of existing building. This chapter provides the design criteria for renovation projects, including the installation of MNS in existing buildings. This chapter should be used for new Marine Corps projects unless combination systems (see Chapter 4) are specifically approved by the AHJ. This chapter should also be used when an Army or Air Force installation approves the use of a separate MNS and separate building fire alarm system in a new construction project.

Note: See paragraph 6-5 for MNS requirements for special occupancies such as medical facilities and facilities intended for occupancy by persons not capable of self-preservation.

5-2 REQUIREMENTS FOR SYSTEM DESIGNERS.

The individual building MNS shall be designed under the supervision of a registered professional engineer with a minimum of 4 years of current work experience in fire protection, electrical, and communication-electronics engineering areas specific to individual building MNS.

Alternately, the individual building MNS may be designed by an engineering technologist verified by NICET as certified at Level IV in low voltage electronic communications systems or at Level IV in fire alarm systems, plus this engineering technologist shall possess a minimum of 4 years current work experience specific to individual building MNS communications-electronics. Alternately, the individual building MNS may be designed by an engineering technologist that possesses a minimum of 10 years of documented current work experience specific to individual building MNS communications-electronics. The individual’s name, signature, and professional engineer number or NICET certification number (when applicable) shall be included on all final design documents.

5-3 USE OF NEW CONSTRUCTION CRITERIA

5-3.1 FACP Replacement: No Existing MNS in Building. When replacing a FACP in a building without an existing MNS, provide a combination mass notification and fire alarm system meeting the requirements for new construction projects (see Chapter 4).

5-3.2 FACP Replacement: Existing MNS in Building

5-3.2.1 When replacing a FACP in a building with an existing separate MNS, removal of both systems and installation of a combination system meeting new construction criteria is recommended but not required. Consider the age and condition of the MNS and the life-cycle costs of keeping the existing MNS when determining whether to install a new combined system or remain with separate systems.

5-3.3 MNS Installation Projects

5-3.3.1 When installing a MNS in a building with an existing separate FACP, removal of both systems and installation of a combination system meeting new construction criteria is recommended but not required. Consider the age and condition of the FACP and the life-cycle costs of keeping the existing FACP when determining whether to install a new combined system or remain with separate systems.

Separate systems are required for Marine Corps projects unless a combination system is specifically permitted by the AHJ.

5-4 SYSTEM OVERVIEW

5-4.1 Subsystems. An individual building MNS for renovation projects includes several subsystems:

ACU; LOC; notification appliance network; interface with facility FACP; interface with facility PA system; and interface with the wide area MNS on the DOD installation. System design and wiring must meet NFPA 72 requirements for MNS and fire alarm systems.

Individual building MNS for Marine Corps projects shall serve as a subsystem of the wide area MNS.

5-4.2 ACU. The ACU is used to monitor and control the notification appliance network. At the ACU, personnel in the building can initiate delivery of pre-recorded voice messages, provide live voice messages and instructions, initiate visual strobe and alphanumeric message notification appliances, and temporarily silence fire alarm system visual and audible notification appliances.

Marine Corps MNS designs are not required to use an ACU.

5-4.3 LOC. A LOC is a unit designed to allow emergency response forces and building occupants to operate the individual building MNS, including initiating delivery of pre-recorded voice messages, providing live voice messages and instructions, initiating visual strobe and alphanumeric message notification appliances, temporarily silencing fire alarm system visual and audible notification appliances, overriding external voice announcements, and terminating mass notification functions. A LOC is usually contained in a small, wall-mounted enclosure. Not all functions that could be performed at the ACU are necessarily available at a LOC.

Marine Corps MNS designs are not required to use a LOC.

5-4.4 Notification Appliance Network. A notification appliance network consists of a set of audio speakers, strobes, and text signs (when required by the AHJ) located to alert occupants and provide intelligible voice and written instructions. When required, text signs are installed over the door to each egress stairwell and over (or adjacent to) the substantial means of egress from the level of discharge. Exterior exit doors from a single room (e.g., mechanical or electrical rooms) do not require a text sign.

Text signs are not authorized in Marine Corps MNS designs unless specifically permitted by the AHJ.

5-4.4.1 Audio Appliance Network. Speakers are provided at all locations in the building and are provided around the building at entrances/exits and other outdoor areas (such as courtyards) commonly used by the building occupants. Important design considerations for the audio speakers include intelligibility and audio intensity.

Note: Outside notification more than 5 m (16 ft) from the building should be provided by the wide area MNS.

5-4.4.1.1 Intelligibility is defined in NFPA 72. Commercially available test instrumentation shall be used to verify intelligibility.

5-4.4.1.2 Effective voice communication within buildings occurs by using a system design of many speakers, each with low audio intensity.

5-4.4.2 Visual Appliance Network. Strobes are provided at all locations inside the building to meet ABAAG for persons with hearing disabilities. Strobes are provided at the same locations in a building that would be required for a fire alarm visual notification appliance. Separate MNS and FACP systems may use either one strobe (clear) or two strobes (clear for fire and amber for MNS) as specified by the AHJ. Text signs may be required by the AHJ over the door to each egress stairwell and over (or adjacent to) the substantial means of egress from the level of discharge.

Exterior exit doors from a single room (e.g., mechanical or electrical rooms) do not require a text sign.

5-4.4.2.1 Army and Air Force installations shall use existing clear/white strobes for fire and install amber strobes for MNS. New amber strobes will be marked with word “ALERT.” Installation of text signs is optional and at the discretion of the DOD installation.

5-4.4.2.2 Navy installations shall use clear/white strobes marked with the word “ALERT.” Text signs shall be located over the door to each egress stairwell and over (or adjacent to) the substantial means of egress from the level of discharge. Exterior doors from a single room (e.g., mechanical or electrical rooms) do not require a text sign. /1/

5-4.4.2.3 /1/ Marine Corps installations shall contact the AHJ for guidance on visual notification appliances.

5-4.5 Interfaces with Facility FACP. The MNS shall provide the capability (either internally as a design feature, or with an approved or listed external controller) to temporarily deactivate the facility’s fire alarm system audible and visual notification appliances.

This is intended to allow the MNS to provide intelligible voice commands inside an individual building during simultaneous fire and terrorist events. System features are provided to compensate for the increased risk from fire in these cases.

Marine Corps MNS designs may interface with the facility FACP. Contact the AHJ for guidance.

5-4.6 Interfaces with Facility PA System. The use of the speakers and other components in the existing PA system may be appropriate in smaller size buildings in which the installation of a new speaker system is not cost effective and the existing PA system is new or relatively new, in excellent condition, and of relatively simple design. If this implementation approach is taken, an ACU must be interfaced with the existing PA system. The existing PA system must be tested to demonstrate acceptable intelligibility of the voice messages, and additional speakers must be added as required. These features must be provided in or added to the PA system:

• Emergency messages must have priority over non-emergency messages.

• All individual or zone speaker volume controls must default to the emergency sound level when used for an MNS message.

• Provide a supervisory signal when the PA system has been placed in the “OFF” condition.

• When monitoring of circuit integrity is provided by the PA system, continue monitoring even if local speaker volume controls are placed in the “OFF” position.

• Provide the required visual notification appliance network (i.e., strobes and text signs).

Marine Corps MNS designs are not required to provide an interface with the facility PA system.

Note: The term “public address system” (or “PA system”) is used in this UFC to mean both PA and intercommunication systems.

5-4.7 Interfaces with the Wide Area MNS. If a wide area MNS is provided on the DOD installation, the individual building MNS communicates with the central control units of the wide area MNS to provide status information, receive commands, activate pre-recorded messages, and originate live voice messages. Depending on system architecture, the manufacturer may be required to provide a system IP interface capable of allowing data transfer from an outside source to internal mass notification functions via a common data communications protocol.

Marine Corps MNS designs shall interconnect the wide area MNS with the individual building MNS through the use of common control systems.

Note: When a wide area MNS is provided on the DOD installation, the system manufacturer should provide a standard method (such as an audio line-level output and multiple relay contacts) or supply the necessary digital communication protocols to permit the DOD installation to select more than one manufacturer of individual building MNS.

5-4.8 Logical Block Diagrams. Figures 5-1 through 5-7 show the logical block diagrams for acceptable configurations of the individual building MNS for renovation projects, including the installation of MNS in existing buildings.

Note: These diagrams are intended to show only the functional relationships of major components.

The diagrams are not intended to serve as wiring diagrams. Many essential design features for an operational system, such as end-of-line resistors, are not shown.