NORTHFORD, Conn., April 25, 2013 - Gamewell-FCI by Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announces its E3 Series® line of fire alarm and emergency communications systems is now listed to Underwriter’s Laboratories’ (ANSI/UL) 2572 standard. A new requirement for all types of mass notification systems, ANSI/UL 2572 mandates equipment testing and performance standards for these systems.
“All equipment will have to be tested and listed to this standard before they can affix a UL label to their equipment,” says Mike Madden, national sales manager for Gamewell-FCI. “This allows engineers, designers and fire officials to choose only equipment that’s been thoroughly tested and proven to provide the protection for the projects they’re responsible for.”
In October 2011, the formal 2572 standard for Control and Communications Units of Mass Notification Systems was approved by the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) and UL as a true standard to which equipment should be tested. With the new standard’s effective date set as April 10, 2015, manufacturers were given time to update equipment before submitting for UL 2572 testing.
“We’ve always paid close attention to these standards when designing our products,” states Brian Carlson, strategic product manager for Gamewell-FCI. “That attention has paid off now that so little change is needed to make existing E3 Series systems fully compliant to 2572. Many others in the industry will have to add assorted new hardware and software to comply with the standard.”
Prior to the final, 230-page standard, Subject 2572 “Outline of Investigation” was circulated throughout the industry and manufacturers were allowed to submit equipment to be tested and listed to this Outline. Madden asserts this initial testing trial to the standard’s Outline has caused confusion among many in the industry.
“The initial Outline was only 54 pages long. You can bet there are differences between that original document and the final standard,” states Madden. “Now some manufacturers are telling customers they are listed, but not telling them they are only listed to the Outline. The easiest way to verify is to go to the UL website and see if the product is listed to the outline or the ANSI/UL 2572 standard.”
Considering ANSI/UL 2572 specifies standards for the quality of equipment that comprise a mass notification (a.k.a. emergency communications) system, the new 2013 edition of NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm & Signaling Code, calls out the ANSI/UL 2572 standard when referencing control units for Emergency Communications Systems. The connection of both standards underlines the importance of each, particularly to those specifying, designing and inspecting these systems.
The E3 Series fire alarm and emergency communications systems from Gamewell-FCI provide advanced fire protection with an integrated system for controlling mass notifications in and outside of a facility or campus. This combined approach offers one, cost-effective solution that is designed to stringent standards to be highly survivable while continually supervising itself for faults. A UL 2572 listing and compliance with NFPA 72 code also means Gamewell-FCI’s E3 Series systems meet strict requirements surrounding performance, power back-up, and regular testing and maintenance. In addition to audio announcements, E3 Series systems can control the creation and delivery of communications via high-powered strobes, LED signage, computer pop-ups, email, SMS text alerts, and more.
For more information on mass notification standards or to request a demonstration of the E3 Series systems’ fire alarm and mass notification capabilities in relation to a specific project, reach out to a Gamewell-FCI local manager.
