Voice Alarm and Fire Evacuation Control System (SOUE)

Why can a poorly designed evacuation warning system fail even when the equipment works?

A fire warning system may activate, but people may still fail to receive clear instructions: production noise can mask the signal, acoustic calculations may be missing, and sounders may be placed for convenience rather than coverage. In another building, the system may be audible but direct people toward an exit already affected by smoke because alternative evacuation scenarios were not developed. In a third case, the sound level may formally comply with the standard while speech intelligibility remains too low for people to understand the message.

These situations occur when the evacuation warning system is treated as an extra line in the estimate rather than as an independent life-safety system. AYU-Project designs voice alarm and evacuation control systems in accordance with SP 3.13130.2024, Federal Law No. 123-FZ and current SP 484.1311500.2020 requirements, including Amendment No. 1 from 01.09.2025, with acoustic calculations, correct zoning and detailed evacuation algorithms for each zone.

System types: how is the right evacuation warning type selected?

The system type is determined at design-documentation stage based on building function, number of storeys, occupancy and design features. SP 3.13130.2024 retains five types of systems, significantly clarifying the requirements for each of them compared to the previous edition of the document.

Type 1 SOUE uses an audible warning signal, such as a siren or tone signal. It is used in small single-storey facilities with a uniform functional purpose and a simple layout: small industrial buildings, warehouses with a standardized area, free-standing buildings. The absence of a voice component and zoning is permissible only if all people in the facility are trained to respond to an alarm and the escape routes are obvious.

Type 2 system - sound notification in combination with light “Exit” alarms above emergency exits. Suitable for most small and medium-sized facilities: small office buildings, retail premises, consumer services facilities. Exit light alarms must operate continuously in standby mode and remain operational when the main power supply is turned off.

Type 3 system - voice notification with pre-recorded text messages in combination with “Exit” light annunciators. The speech component is fundamentally important: the auditory perception channel under stress works more efficiently than the visual one, and a meaningful message about the direction of evacuation sharply reduces the time people take to make decisions. It is used for medium-sized multi-storey buildings for office, retail and hotel purposes. If there is a decision in the DD to control the emergency control system from the fire post (control room), the possibility of broadcasting additional voice messages by the operator in real time is provided.

Type 4 system - speech and light warning with the division of the building into warning zones, with controlled light indicators of the evacuation direction (capable of changing the displayed direction) and with the organization of feedback between warning zones and the fire station. For each zone, several evacuation scenarios are provided depending on the location of the fire. It is used for large shopping and shopping and entertainment centres, hotels, multifunctional complexes, business centres of class A and B.

Type 5 system - the most complex and functionally complete system: voice and light warning with zoning, controlled signs, several evacuation scenarios for each zone, feedback from each zone to monitor the progress of evacuation and unified control of all zones from the central console. SP 3.13130.2024 additionally provides for type 5 SOUE the ability to address broadcast messages to individual zones and control light signs with the display of dynamically changing routes depending on the current situation. It is used for high-rise buildings, large transport facilities, medical institutions, and facilities with large numbers of people.

What has changed in SP 3.13130.2024 compared to the previous edition?

SP 3.13130.2024 radically updated the regulatory framework for the design of SOUE - a document adopted to replace SP 3.13130.2009, has addressed long-standing gaps in acoustics, zoning and system sustainability requirements. The use of an outdated edition when designing new facilities is a violation and will result in expert-review comments.

Fundamental changes in the new edition:

• Acoustic requirements became more specific: instead of the sound level “not less than 75 dBA at a distance of 3 m from the siren”, a standard for A-corrected sound level directly in the area where people are located - not less than 75 dBA and not more than 120 dBA at any point in the protected room, when the background noise is exceeded by not less than 15 dBA. Separate standards have been established for sleeping quarters;
• Speech intelligibility requirements: a standard has been introduced for the voice notification frequency band (200-5000 Hz) and requirements for multiple duplication of messages;
• Resistance to single faults: a single failure of the communication line should not disrupt the operation of EVAC in more than an area of ​​2 000 m² within one floor and in more than one warning zone;
• Evacuation algorithms: for EVAC with voice alarms, the number of evacuation scenarios from each zone is not less than the number of evacuation exits from it; the total number of scenarios is not less than the number of warning zones;
• Personal notification devices for people with limited mobility (people with reduced mobility) are allocated in a separate section of requirements.

Acoustic calculation: without it, the design cannot be justified

Acoustic calculation is a mandatory calculation part of the evacuation warning design documentation of any type with speech and sound annunciators: without it it is impossible to confirm the compliance of the design solution with the requirements of SP 3.13130.2024. The calculation is performed for each room (or typical group of rooms) and solves three interrelated problems.

Task 1: Determination of sound pressure level at design points. For each siren, the sound pressure level at the border of its coverage area is determined, taking into account attenuation in the air, the influence of reflective and absorbing surfaces. At points where the coverage areas of several sounders overlap, the levels are summed up according to a logarithmic law. Calculation points are selected in the most remote and acoustically shielded areas of the room.

Task 2: Check for excess background noise. Background noise in a room is defined as the average value under typical operating conditions of the facility (for industrial premises - with operating technological equipment). The design signal level of the siren must exceed background noise by at least 15 dBA. If a room can simultaneously operate in several modes with different noise levels, the calculation is performed for the worst case.

Task 3: Selecting the type and power of sirens, determining the number of sirens in the zone. Based on the results of tasks 1 and 2, the type of sounder (wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, horn for industrial premises) with a standardized sound pressure characteristic is selected and the minimum required quantity is determined to ensure the required level at each point in the zone. The results of the acoustic calculation are documented as a mandatory annex to the DD.

SOUE zoning and notification priority

Dividing the building into warning zones is a key space-planning solution for the EVAC 3-5 types. A warning zone is a part of a building in which EVAC broadcasts the same message simultaneously in the event of a fire. The boundaries of the zones are set based on the planning structure of the building, the flow of people, the location of emergency exits and the capacity of each zone.

The order (sequence) of triggering alerts by zone is one of the tools for managing evacuation at large facilities. It is not always optimal to launch an alert throughout the entire building at the same time: at transport hubs, in large shopping centers and high-rise buildings, simultaneous launch creates uncontrollable peak flows along evacuation routes and blocks exits. SP 3.13130.2024 regulates a special notification sequence for the 4-type and 5-type fire alarm system: the size of zones, the order of their activation and time delays between the launches of adjacent zones are determined by an algorithm based on the calculation of the time of safe evacuation in accordance with GOST 12.1.004 And SP 1.13130.2020.

Signal lights and evacuation direction signs

The light component of EVAC begins with the “Exit” sign and ends with controlled, addressable light signs for the direction of evacuation - between these two extreme points there is a fundamental difference in engineering solutions and regulatory requirements.

Signal lights "Exit" - LED signs that are constantly lit or flashing during an alarm, placed above each emergency exit and in places where the direction of the evacuation route changes. They require autonomous power supply (at least 1 hour when the main power supply is turned off). Mandatory starting from Type 2 system.

Illuminated direction indicators - placed on escape routes in places where the direction of movement is not obvious: in long corridors, at T-shaped forks, in the presence of several exits with unequal accessibility. For Type 3 system - static (constantly indicate a single direction). For EVAC 4 and 5 types - controlled: capable of changing the indicated direction at the command of the control system depending on the fire scenario, which is critical if one of the exits is unavailable due to smoke or fire.

Photoluminescent evacuation systems (FES) - do not belong to the active components of EVAC, but are designed together with it as a passive element for marking escape routes in the event of a power failure. Requirements for FES are specified in accordance with GOST R 12.2.143.

Integration of SOUE with SPS, ASPS and building engineering systems

Modern EVAC is not an independent system with a separate start - it is controlled from FAS through FPSA according to the algorithm fixed in DD. The primary “Fire” signal in the zone FAS control zone is generated by FPSA and broadcasts the start command EVAC for the corresponding warning zone. The interaction algorithm is prescribed in the control matrix and is a mandatory part of WD.

Integrated systems and functions:

• FAS - source of the “Fire” signal with identification of the ZKSPS; for SOUE types 4-5 - a source of information about the localization of the outbreak for choosing an evacuation scenario;
• FPSA - a controller that transmits commands for launching and controlling warning zones, changing scenarios and controlling light indicators;
• Smoke ventilation system - simultaneously with the start of the alert, a command is generated to open the smoke exhaust valves in the fire zone and close the fire suppression valves, which ensures smoke safety of escape routes;
• ACS - unlocking electromagnetic locks at emergency exits when an alarm signal is received;
• Elevators - transfer to the “Fire danger” mode and return to the main landing floor;
• BMS - displaying the status of all warning zones and controlling the system from a central control station;
• Emergency lighting system - automatic activation during a fire alarm to ensure the standard level of illumination on evacuation routes.

What is included in the design documentation and working documentation on the SOUE?

Documentation is developed in accordance with Government Decree of the Russian Federation No. 87 dated 16.02.2008 No. 87 (as amended on 21.10.2025) “On the composition of sections of project documentation and requirements for their content”, SP 3.13130.2024 And SP 484.1311500.2020 (Change No. 1 from 01.09.2025).

Design documentation stage includes:

• an explanatory note justifying the type of SOUE and the design decisions taken;
• zoning scheme for the building into warning zones with justification of boundaries;
• evacuation algorithms for each zone for each fire scenario;
• acoustic calculation with confirmation of standardized sound pressure levels at design points;
• description of control algorithms EVAC from FAS through FPSA;
• calculation of autonomous power supply for sirens and control devices.

Working Documentation Stage (WD) contains:

• block diagram EVAC with designation of control devices, warning zones, sirens and light indicators;
• plans for the placement of sound, voice annunciators and light signs with reference to construction axes and installation height marks;
• circuit diagrams of warning lines;
• interaction matrix EVAC - FAS - FPSA (which signal from which FAS control zone activates which warning zones and according to which scenario);
• control circuits for light indicators for each evacuation scenario (for EVAC 4-5 types);
• cable log and cable line tracing;
• power supply diagram with calculation battery bank for autonomous mode (≥ 24 h standby mode + 1 h alarm);
• specifications of equipment and materials;
• statement of quantities.

Regulatory design basis EVAC

• SP 3.13130.2024 - basic set of rules: requirements for EVAC types, acoustic parameters, zoning, evacuation algorithms, feedback, fault tolerance;
• Federal Law No. 123-FZ “Technical regulations on fire safety requirements” - Art. 84: acceptable methods of notification, requirements for warning systems;
• SP 486.1311500.2020 - a list of objects to be equipped with EVAC, indicating the minimum required type;
• SP 484.1311500.2020 (Change No. 1 from 01.09.2025) - requirements for interaction of EVAC with FAS and FPSA;
• SP 1.13130.2020 - evacuation routes and exits; calculation of safe evacuation time;
• GOST 12.1.004-91 - calculation of individual fire risk; used to substantiate algorithms for the order of starting zones;
• GOST R 12.2.143-2009 - photoluminescent evacuation systems;
• EAEU Technical Regulation 043/2017 - requirements for assessing the conformity of fire alarms;
• GOST R 21.1101-2020 - requirements for registration of WD;
• Government Decree of the Russian Federation No. 87 dated 16.02.2008 No. 87 (as amended on 21.10.2025) “On the composition of sections of project documentation and requirements for their content.”

Pricing and how to order

The cost of developing design documentation and working documentation on EVAC is determined by the type of system (1-5), the area and number of floors of the facility, the number of warning zones and the complexity of evacuation algorithms. With the simultaneous design of EVAC, FAS, FPSA and AFS under a single contract, cost reduction is provided due to the combined development of control matrices. Approximate calculation - using the online calculator on the website.

To receive an accurate commercial proposal, leave a request: indicate the facility type and purpose, its area, number of floors and the presence of premises with special acoustic conditions (production halls, sleeping quarters, people with reduced mobility). The initial consultation is free, and we work across Russia remotely.