A voice evacuation system needs enough audio power and speaker coverage to deliver clear emergency messages throughout a facility. But what happens when an existing system needs to cover additional areas, support more speakers, or provide more audio power?
Replacing the entire voice evacuation system may not always be necessary.
A distributed audio power booster can provide a practical way to expand an existing system by adding audio power and speaker circuits where they are needed. The SigCom DAPB-100 Distributed Audio Power Booster is designed specifically for this purpose, providing 100 watts of additional audio power and four supervised speaker circuits.
When Would You Need a Distributed Audio Power Booster?
There are several situations where adding a distributed audio power booster can make sense.
Your Existing System Needs More Audio Power
As the facility expands, the existing voice evacuation amplifier may no longer have enough power to support additional speakers. The DAPB-100 adds 100 watts of audio output power, allowing an existing voice evacuation system to support additional speaker loads without replacing the primary voice evacuation control panel. The DAPB-100 uses a high-efficiency Class D digital amplifier and can be used with new or existing voice evacuation systems.
You Need Additional Speaker Circuits
Sometimes the issue isn't just amplifier power capacity. A building may require additional speaker circuits to provide notification coverage in new or previously uncovered areas. Each DAPB-100 provides four fully supervised Class A or Class B speaker circuits. The unit supports 25 Vrms speaker circuits, with an option for 70 Vrms operation when used with the appropriate supplemental transformer. This provides additional speaker circuit capacity while allowing the existing voice evacuation infrastructure to remain in place.
You're Expanding an Existing Building
Building additions, renovations, and changes in occupancy can create new areas that need voice evacuation coverage. For example, a school may add a new classroom wing, a healthcare facility may expand its patient areas, or an office building may add additional floors or workspaces. Rather than replacing the existing voice evacuation system, a distributed audio power booster can provide additional capacity for the expanded area. The DAPB-100 can be installed near the existing voice panel or remotely, helping reduce wiring demands on the main voice evacuation control panel.
You Want to Avoid Replacing the Existing Voice Evacuation Panel
Replacing a functioning voice evacuation control panel simply because additional audio capacity is needed can add unnecessary equipment, labor, and installation costs. The DAPB-100 is designed to work with any manufacturer's voice evacuation control panel, including SigCom's VECP Series. This makes it an option for upgrading or expanding an existing system without replacing the primary voice evacuation panel. For facilities with an existing system that needs additional capacity, this can provide greater flexibility during an expansion or system upgrade. Multiple DAPB-100 units can also be connected in applications that require additional audio power.
How Does a Distributed Audio Power Booster Work?
The DAPB-100 connects to an existing 25 Vrms or 70 Vrms speaker circuit, amplifies the signal, and rebroadcasts it to provide 100W of audio power output on 4 Class A/B speaker circuits. The audio power draw from the audio source is minimal. The DAPB-100 is activated by a 24V reverse-polarity NAC circuit or a supervised dry contact input. A system fault condition in the DAPB-100 causes the EOL resistor on the NAC input activation circuit to open which creates a fault condition in the connected panel. The unit has its own power supply and built-in battery charger, allowing it to operate as a self-contained appliance.
The DAPB-100 provides:
- 100 watts of audio output power
- Four supervised speaker circuits
- Class A or Class B speaker circuit configurations
- 25 Vrms speaker operation
- Optional 70 Vrms operation with a supplemental transformer
- Built-in power supply and battery charger
- Reverse-polarity NAC and supervised dry-contact activation
- Remote or local installation capability
Where Can a Distributed Audio Power Booster Be Used?
Distributed audio power boosters can be useful in facilities where voice evacuation coverage needs to be expanded, or additional audio capacity is required. Typical applications include:
- Schools and universities
- Healthcare facilities
- Military facilities
- Office buildings
- Factories and industrial facilities
- Theaters and places of assembly
- Places of worship
- Restaurants
- Dormitories
- Large campuses and facilities
These environments can have complex layouts, multiple buildings, or areas that may require additional speaker coverage as the facility changes.
Expand Your Voice Evacuation System Without Replacing It
When a voice evacuation system needs additional capacity, replacing the entire system isn't always the only option. A distributed audio power booster can provide a way to add audio power and speaker circuits while continuing to use the existing voice evacuation infrastructure.
The SigCom DAPB-100 Distributed Audio Power Booster provides an additional 100 watts of audio power and four supervised speaker circuits for new or existing voice evacuation systems. Its ability to work with voice evacuation control panels from any manufacturer provides flexibility for system expansions and upgrades.
Whether you're expanding a school, adding space to a healthcare facility, upgrading an industrial facility, or extending coverage across a larger campus, the DAPB-100 provides a flexible way to add audio capacity where it's needed.