Is It Possible To Integrate, Segment School Communications?
Yes! This is an exciting development in
school communication platforms.
Integrators are physically wired to fire
panels, lockdown switches, or any electrical
“normally open switch” for reliability and fast
response. The number of switch inputs that
can be monitored depends on your platform
configuration.
When integrators detect changes in a
switch’s physical status (e.g. a fire alarm is
pulled), emergency alerts on the displays of
your communications platform are instantly
triggered. Detailed instructions can accompany
visual displays and automated notifications
to authorities may be texted or emailed.
Messages are delivered to displays in either
“all-call” or “zoned” deployment. For all-call, a
single emergency switch is monitored by one
integrator, and a single message is created
when the switch’s status changes. Your entire
campus receives the same message.
For zoned configuration, multiple integrators
are wired to monitor a single switch and
the platform triggers different messages
when the switch’s status changes. Integrators
are assigned to groups of displays, allowing
messages to be tailored for particular groups
(zones) even if the alerts are triggered by the
same alarm. For example, during a fire, all
alerts might display “Fire emergency!” but the
instructions may be “Exit Door A” for one zone
and “Exit Door B” for another.
For routine messaging, communications
platforms can deliver tailored daily messages.
Zoned messaging delivers more relevant
communications, especially in emergencies.
Schools are rightfully giving more thought to
granular evacuation protocols, and clear and
instant communications are at their core.
This article originally appeared in the issue of .
About the Author
Fred Bezat is product manager at American Time, a manufacturer of integrated, custom timekeeping and notification systems. Contact him at [email protected] or 877/666-1208.