CHAPTER 2
OVERVIEW OF SYSTEMS
2-1 SCOPE. This chapter includes important definitions and provides an overview
of MNS.
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.
2-3 LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS. MNS are designated as life safety systems in a
manner similar to DOD-required fire protection systems.
2-4 ACCESSIBILITY. Compliance with 1 Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility
Guidelines (ABAAG) /1/ for MNS is required. Visual alarm notification appliances shall
be provided inside of buildings for hearing impaired persons when new MNS are
installed. Providing visual alarm notification appliances is required for DOD compliance
with Executive Order 13347.
2-5 PUBLIC ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM. Coordination of MNS with
national alert and warning systems is required for DOD compliance with Executive
Order 13407.
2-6 SYSTEM TYPES
Note: See Appendix C for a discussion of Internet-based alerting systems.
2-6.1 Wide Area MNS. Wide area MNS are installed to provide real-time
information to outdoor areas of a DOD installation. These systems are normally
provided with and operated from two or more central control stations. Communications
between central control stations and individual building MNS is provided.
Communications between the central control stations and regional or national command
systems may also be provided. The requirements to install wide area MNS are specific
to each DOD component. A general DOD requirement to install these systems on all
DOD installations has not yet been established.
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
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9 April 2008
Change 1, January 2010
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transfer from an outside source to internal mass notification functions via a common
data communications protocol.
2-6.1.2 Army Installations. Wide area MNS shall be installed on Army installations in
accordance with Army Chief of Staff antiterrorism guidance.
2-6.1.3 Air Force Installations. A wide area MNS shall be a component of and
connected to the Installation Notification and Warning System (INWS) as defined by Air
Force instruction (AFI) 10-2501. The INWS typically includes a “giant voice” system for
outdoor notification of personnel.
2-6.1.4 Marine Corps Installations. Wide area MNS shall be installed on Marine
Corps installations in accordance with the most current edition of Marine Corps
Order (MCO) 5530.14 and MCO 3302.1.
Note: Marine Corps designs use central control stations shared by both the wide area
MNS and the individual building MNS.
2-6.1.5 Navy Installations. Wide area MNS shall be installed on Navy installations in
accordance with Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) antiterrorism guidance.
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.
Marine Corps individual building MNS are not required to provide the capability to
initiate messages from any location within the individual building.
Note: Marine Corps designs use central control stations shared by both the wide area
MNS and the individual building MNS.
2-6.2.1 DOD Requirements. The DOD must provide mass notification for new and
existing buildings when required by UFC 4-010-01. Mass notification is required in all
new inhabited buildings, including new primary gathering buildings and new billeting.
Mass notification is required in existing primary gathering buildings and existing billeting
when implementing a project exceeding the replacement cost threshold specified in
UFC 4-010-01 or when prioritized by local command personnel. Mass notification is
recommended in other existing inhabited buildings when implementing a project not
exceeding the replacement cost threshold. Mass notification is required for leased
buildings, building additions, and expeditionary and temporary structures.
Note: UFC 4-010-01 provides specific definitions of inhabited buildings, primary
gathering buildings, and billeting for application of antiterrorism requirements.
UFC 4-021-01