CHAPTER 7
OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
7-1 INTRODUCTION. This chapter provides a description of the most significant
operating characteristics of wide area MNS and individual building MNS.
7-2 WIDE AREA MNS
7-2.1 Central Control Stations. A primary and backup central control station are
provided. At each central control station, a computer with a GUI is provided. With the
GUI, the system operator can send live voice signals using a microphone and can send
or activate pre-recorded voice signals, tones, and music signals. The signals can be
sent to individual buildings, zones of buildings, individual outdoor speaker arrays, zones
of outdoor speaker arrays, or to the entire DOD installation. Different signals can be
sent to different locations. The central control station can receive voice signals by
telephone or radio and patch those signals through to desired locations on the DOD
installation. Music, such as Reveille and the national anthem, can be transmitted
throughout the DOD installation. The central control station automatically or manually
assigns priorities to all transmitted signals.
7-2.2 Regional or National Command Centers. When required by the DOD
component, those signals transmitted on the DOD installation that meet a screening
criteria for priority are automatically relayed to a regional or national command center,
or to nearby DOD installations that have a need to know of the emergency.
7-2.3 Public Alert and Warning System. This national system is under
development by the Department of Homeland Security as directed by Executive Order
13407. DOD systems are required by this same Executive Order to coordinate with the
national system. The wide area MNS will be designed with the capability to receive,
record, and distribute voice messages and alert signals received from the
Commander-in-Chief through the national public alert and warning system. This will
permit the central control station to immediately distribute the voice messages or alert
signals, or to delay the distribution as necessary to meet operational requirements as
approved by the DOD installation commander.
7-2.4 HPSA. Designated HPSAs are provided with a microphone to enable an
on-scene commander, security forces, or others (such as a drill instructor) to use the
HPSA for local announcements and instructions. In some cases, individual speakers or
all speakers of these arrays may be locally selected and energized. The speakers for
these arrays will be highly directional when designed to permit operation from a location
directly below the speakers without feedback or harmful sound pressure levels.
7-2.5 Supplemental Mass Notification Delivery Systems. The wide area MNS
can also interface with and control other notification systems such as telephone dialers,
tone alert systems, computer network alerting systems, pagers, facsimile machines, and
vehicular traffic directional control signs. Text notification via wireless devices and
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desktop computer notification are effective means for delivering mass notification
messages to multiple recipient groups. Wireless text messaging is effective in reaching
off-base personnel. This is especially useful for OCONUS locations. Desktop notification
is particularly effective when more complex information must be conveyed, and can be
a cost-effective interim solution prior to installing an individual building MNS.
Note: See Appendix C for a discussion of requirements for Internet-based
communication systems (under development).
7-3 INDIVIDUAL BUILDING MNS
7-3.1 Combined Systems. In new construction, mass notification and fire alarm
functions are combined into one system. PA may also be combined into this system. In
renovation projects, combined systems are preferred, but separate systems may be
permitted in some applications. The mass notification functions can temporarily disable
the fire alarm notification appliances to allow intelligible voice announcements when
needed in the case of simultaneous terrorist and fire events. This is necessary because
arson and unauthorized fire system activation are methods of attack that have been
used previously by terrorists.
Individual building MNS for Marine Corps projects shall serve as a subsystem of the
wide area MNS as described in Chapters 3 and 5, and might not interface with the fire
alarm system.
7-3.2 LOC. These consoles are provided to allow building occupants and
emergency response forces to operate the system and provide live voice or
pre-recorded messages to personnel in the building. They also enable the building
occupants to completely shut down the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system
as needed to respond to a terrorist event or external natural disaster. Army and Air
Force systems permit most building occupants to access the LOC, and use
tamper-resistant features to minimize unauthorized use. The Navy limits access to the
LOC to emergency response forces and a few of the building occupants, such as the
building manager, security staff, or the commanding officer’s staff. The Marine Corps
does not provide a LOC but does provide a remote microphone.
7-3.3 ACU. The ACU has the same capabilities to operate the system as a LOC,
plus the ability to override or disable the mass notification capability. Access to the ACU
is limited to emergency response personnel.
7-3.4 Notification Appliances. Speakers are used to provide intelligible voice
signals for mass notification. Strobes are used to meet the accessibility requirements for
those persons with hearing disabilities. The Army and Air Force use amber-colored
strobes to alert those with hearing disabilities. The Navy uses one set of clear strobes
for both fire and mass notification. These strobes are marked “ALERT” instead of
“FIRE”. The Navy also uses text signs to assist persons with hearing disabilities. These
signs read “EVACUATE” when the fire alarm system is in alarm. The signs read
“ANNOUNCEMENT” when a mass notification message is being transmitted, and the
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text sign will continue for 10 seconds after the end of the announcement. Text signs are
required 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.
Note: The Marine Corps uses notification appliances as specified by the AHJ.
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