The emergency response plan should include, but not be limited to, the following elements:

(1) Emergency response team structure

(2) Emergency response procedures, as follows:

(a) Building system related emergencies (b) Human-related emergencies

(c) Terrorism-related emergencies (d) Weather-related emergencies

(3) Emergency response equipment and operations (4) Emergency response notification, as follows:

(a) Emergency message content

(b) Emergency notification approval process (c) Emergency notification initiation process (5) Emergency response training and drills, as follows:

(a) Classroom training (b) Table-top training (c) Live drills

24.4.2.4 System Operation.

24.4.2.4.1* Authorized personnel shall be permitted to control message initiation over the mass notification system.

A.24.4.2.4.1 Authorized personnel could include building occupants who can readily access and originate messages in emergency situations. Depending on the individual facility, use of the mass notification system to originate non-emergency messages could also be permitted. The selection of authorized personnel should be based on a risk assessment and the building emergency response plan.

24.4.2.4.2* Where identified by the risk analysis, the mass notification system shall provide the capability for authorized personnel to remotely activate live and prerecorded emergency messages.

A.24.4.2.4.2 Authorized personnel could effect message initiation over the mass notification system from either a central control station or a secondary (backup) control

station(s). In cases where clusters of facilities within the same geographical region exist, one or more regional control stations could effect message initiation. The mass

notification system could permit activation of messages originated by mobile sentries and roving patrols using wireless activation devices. Since it is common practice to allow mass notification systems to be utilized for “nonemergency” messages, the central control station should incorporate a clearly marked and easy to operate means to

distinguish between emergency and non-emergency use. Comprehensive training and a fail-safe default to the emergency mode of operation should be employed to ensure that no actual emergency message gets transmitted as a nonemergency broadcast.

24.4.2.4.3* Operating controls shall be clearly identified.

A.24.4.2.4.3 As a general practice, the number of message selection switches included as part of the operating controls should be limited, so that authorized personnel can utilize the system with only minimal familiarity. This, of course, could be a different matter on an industrial or college campus where trained individuals are likely to be very familiar with the operation and use of the system. In that case, more selection switches could be beneficial.

24.4.2.4.4 If there are multiple emergency voice/alarm communications control locations, only one shall be in control at any given time.

24.4.2.4.5 The location having control of the system shall be identified by a visible indication at that location. If there are multiple control locations, a visible indication shall be provided at all other control locations indicating that another control location is in use.

24.4.2.4.6 Manual controls shall be arranged to provide visible indication of the on/off status for their associated notification evacuation signaling zone.

24.4.2.4.7 If live voice instructions are provided, they shall override previously initiated signals to the selected notification zone(s) and shall have priority over any subsequent automatically initiated signals to the selected zone(s) perform as follows:

(1) Override previously initiated signals to the selected notification zone(s).

(2) Have priority over any subsequent automatically initiated signals to the selected zone(s).

24.4.2.4.8 A manual means shall be provided at each mass notification system control location to permit the mass notification system to relinquish control of the fire alarm system.

24.4.2.4.9* During the period after the mass notification system has seized control of the audible notification appliances, but before the mass notification system relinquishes control, an audible and visible signal shall be actuated by the notification appliances at least once every 30 seconds.

A.24.4.2.4.9 During emergencies, building occupants should periodically receive an audible clue that the emergency notification given by the mass notification system is still in effect. This also can help building occupants and emergency response personnel recognize that the mass notification system is overriding fire alarm notification appliances. The audible signal could consist of a simple signal such as a chirp of sufficient duration to be recognized by the usual building occupants and, typically, by occupants who are not hearing disabled.

24.4.2.5 Coverage.

24.4.2.5.1* The mass notification system shall provide for live voice and prerecorded localized messaging within a protected individual building, areas surrounding the building, and other outdoor designated areas.

A.24.4.2.5.1 The mass notification system could permit activation of messages originated by mobile sentries and roving patrols using wireless activation devices.

24.4.2.5.2 Notification zones shall be established on the basis of a risk analysis.

24.4.2.5.3* If the mass notification system serves more than one building, it shall be capable of providing separate messages to one individual building or to multiple buildings at any given time.

A.24.4.2.5.3 Generally, each separate building should be provided with a separate in-building mass notification system; however, some facilities (such as a campus-type high school with multiple separate buildings) might be more effectively served by a single in-building mass notification system. Alternately, a risk analysis could determine that a wide-area mass notification system provides the optimal capability for mass notification.

24.4.2.6 Speaker Circuits.

24.4.2.6.1* Speaker circuits used for mass notification that are not fire alarm circuits shall be exempt from the monitoring requirements of this Code, provided that alternate methods of achieving comparable reliability are accepted by the authority having jurisdiction.

A.24.4.2.6.1 Alternate methods that achieve the desired statistical availability could be deemed acceptable in lieu of monitoring the integrity of circuits, signaling channels, or communication pathways where consistent with the risk analysis and emergency response plan.

24.4.2.6.2 Survivability for speaker circuits used for mass notification shall be determined by the risk analysis for the building.

24.4.2.7 Documentation.

24.4.2.7.1 Security. Security for mass notification systems documentation shall be determined by the stakeholders.

24.4.2.7.2 Record of Completion.

24.4.2.7.2.1 A record of completion form, as shown in Figure 10.18.2.1.1, shall be required for documentation of the mass notification system.

24.4.2.7.2.2 All systems that are modified after the initial installation shall have the original record of completion revised to show all changes from the original information and shall be identified with a revision date.

24.4.2.7.3 Required Documentation. Every system shall include the following documentation, which shall be delivered to the owner or the owner’s representative upon final acceptance of the system:

(1) An owner’s manual including a complete set of operations and maintenance manuals, manufacturer’s published instructions, and product data sheets covering all system equipment

(2) Record and as-built drawings

(3) One current copy of the record of completion form, updated to reflect all system additions or modifications

(4) For software-based systems, a record copy of the system specific software (5) Emergency response plan, with operational management procedures defined for

management and activation of the system 24.4.2.7.4 Document Accessibility.

24.4.2.7.4.1 An as-built plans cabinet should shall be provided and should include the following to house the documentation required in 24.4.2.7.3.

(1) Shop drawings (as-built)

(2) Complete set of operations and maintenance manuals for all components (3) Product cut sheets for each component

(4) Copies of all inspection and commissioning reports

24.4.2.7.4.2 The cabinet should shall be sized so that it can neatly contain all necessary documentation, including future inspection and service reports.

24.4.2.7.4.3 The contents of the cabinet should shall be maintaned accessible to by authorized personnel only.

E.2.4.6 Records. Records should comply with 4.5.3 and Section 10.6. [SIG-FUN]

E.2.5 Impairments. Impairments should comply with Section 4.6. [SIG-FUN]

24.4.2.7.4.4 Records should comply with 4.5.3 and Section 10.6 Mass notification system and fire alarm system as-built plans and other related documentation shall be permitted to be maintained together, including the appearance of both systems on the same drawings.

24.4.2.7.4.5 The requirements of 10.18.3 and Section 14.6 shall be applicable for mass notification system records and record keeping.

24.4.2.8 Impairments. Impairments should comply with Section 4.6 The requirements of Section 10.19 shall be applicable when a mass notification system is impaired.

24.4.2.9 Inspection, Testing, Permanent Records and Maintenance Requirements.

MNSs Mass notification systems should shall be inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements and the inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements of Chapter 14.

24.4.2.10* System Priorities. Priority levels shall be established on the basis of the risk analysis.

A.24.4.2.10 The risk analysis should identify what emergency situations will take priority