Safety first for FBT

FBT has begun shipping its DEM3616 Digital Evacuation Matrix, which includes a complete diagnostic overview of the system’s operation with full ‘critical path’ control. Continuous loudspeaker line monitoring, including signal quality and coverage, ensures that normal BGM or paging need not be interrupted. Providing a link to the fire-fighting system, the DEM1316 can simultaneously broadcast evacuation and warning messages to different zones.

Redundancy comes in the form of built-in backup power amplifier management and a second source of 24VDC power with a battery-charging unit. The system can be integrated into an existing installation via Cat-5 or fibre-optic connection and multiple DEM3616 systems can be daisy-chained to form a scalable solution addressing up to 255 zones. Other features include a dedicated fireman’s microphone, seven-inch LCD touchscreen, secure alarm activation and a four-slot output section for zone management with four output zones, two monitored contacts, five general purpose outputs and seven general purpose inputs. There are also two optional boards for local BGM source selection including four mic/line inputs with phantom power and programmable gain together with 16 music channels from the digital bus and an on-board USB media player. Capable of processing eight BGM source channels simultaneously across 16 output zones, the DEM3616 also integrates DSP with music channel functions. These include digital gain, a high-pass and low-pass filter, a five-band parametric equaliser, automatic gain control and a bypass function for each option

As well as the DEM3616, the Italian manufacturer has also made available the VAIE6500 wall-mounted voice evacuation systems for integrated emergency systems. Designed to present a compact but powerful safety solution, the VAIE6500 is fitted with a certified control unit that complies with the EN54-16: 2008 and EN54-4 standards. Delivering a total output of 500W, the system is able to monitor and protect between two to six zones depending on the model – the VAIE 6502, VAIE 6504 and VAIE 6506 serve two, four and six zones respectively. Remote operation is via a network of local controls and remote microphone stations, while the system remains connected to the fire alarm panel. A 4.3-inch backlit touchscreen creates alert and evacuations areas, whilst enabling the adjustment of navigation volume levels, monitoring of the system configuration and fault checking. A regulation fireman’s microphone is located on the front panel, but the VAIE6500 can bypass this by broadcasting pre-recorded evacuation and alert messages.

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