Alert Beacon
The latest standards from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA72-2010) point to the fact that there is no substitute for in-building emergency notification, with its reliability, localization, and intelligibility. Alert Beacons are designed to serve campuses, bases, and other large facilities which presently lack an in-building emergency notification system and where retrofitting a conventional voice public address system is impractical and cost prohibitive.
Wall-mounted Alert Beacons flash and sound to capture the attention of building occupants at a distance, and display a custom message from public safety/security about the nature of the emergency and appropriate response. The strobes and sounder provide greater coverage reach than speakers for signaling attention, and the integrated text LCD offers message intelligibility magnitudes higher than voice due to the elimination of acoustical disturbances. Alert Beacons are mounted in prominent locations throughout the facility footprint and can be served by PoE enabled Ethernet and three reliable wireless communication paths.
Key Features
- Reliable: never dependent on congested cellular or the internet
- Affordable: approximately 1/9 the cost of a conventional voice PA system and no recurring fees
- Interoperable: unified activation with most other mass notification solutions via Common Alert Protocol (CAP) and open Alertus API
- Zoneable: localized information where and when needed
Additional Features
- ADA Compliant: warns deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals
- Wireless: three reliable wireless options and PoE enabled Ethernet
- Redundant communication paths: (e.g., radio subcarrier + two-way Ethernet)
- Instantaneous: no throughput delays
- Battery Backup: automatically recharges to ensure uninterrupted communication
- Versatile: plug-and-play with panic buttons, scrolling LED marquees, outdoor sirens and strobes, voice annunciators
- Green: consumes <5 watts (1/6 of a fluorescent light)
- ThreatWatcher: optional automated alerts from national and local sources
- Monitoring: real-time status checks to ensure uninterrupted availability
- Multimodal facility alerting capabilities: desktop alert, digital signage override, cable TV override, fire alarm voice PA interface
- Configurable buttons for optional features: acknowledgement, panic
- Expandable: Alert Beacons may be phased in over time with no added cost
The concept of "one size fits all" does not apply when it comes to alert and notification appliances. As a result Alert Beacons were designed to interface with a wide array of external devices which can enhance and extend the base unit capabilities. For example, Alert beacons can be connected to LED marquee displays in areas where a larger overhead display is required or to text-to-speech devices to provide spoken voice output. Panic buttons enable staff, students, and visitors to call for immediate help when in danger, and the precise location is transmitted to public safety officials. Peripherals are simply connected to the back of the Alert Beacon via the auxiliary input, auxiliary output (contact closure) and/or RS232 serial ports.
| Communication Paths | PoE enabled Ethernet, FM Radio Subcarrier (RBDS), WiFi 802.11, Telemetry Paging, other custom technologies
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| Activation Methods | Alertus Activator (UI), 3rd Party Software via open API or CAP, ThreatWatcher automated alerts, and ReACT at the Alert Beacon (if configured) |
| Accessibility: | On premise Windows-based server; User Interface (UI) accessible on network and remotely if enabled |
| Security | AES encryption; proprietary secure protocol between server and Alert Beacons |
| High intensity strobes | 8 flash patterns; remotely configured and controlled |
| Sounder | Eight tones; 106 decibel max; remotely configured and controlled |
| LCD Viewing Distance | 10-15 feet |
| Power: | Low voltage, 12-24 volts AC or DC; Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) standard |
| Mounting | Flush-mount wall bracket, surface-mount wall bracket, both designed with two-layer security and tamper resistance; desktop stand available as alternative to wall mounting |
| Behaviorial Process | Patent pending technology adjusts the intensity of audible-visual signaling attributes after initial time lapse to facilitate reading LCD |
| Durability | High impact ABS enclosure |
| Warranty | Standard warranty plus optional 20 year warranty |
| Other | Designed and manufactured in the USA Fully compliant with NFPA, ADA, UFC, CAP, OSHA, FEMA, and FCC standards |
The installation process is relatively simple. First, Alertus’s technical team installs and configures the Alertus Server and Alertus Activator (or third party unified software interface). Second, Alertus configures and ships a first article. Upon a successful end-to-end test, Alertus ships the balance of the order.
Clients usually prefer to handle the installation since their facilities and maintenance staff are most familiar with the buildings. Each Alert Beacon is shipped pre-configured and quality tested, so the units are ready to be mounted without any preparation. Alert Beacons are supplied with a flush or surface wall-mounting bracket, or desk stand, as specified by the client. After the mounted bracket is attached to the wall, the Alert Beacon securely locks into the bracket. Alert Beacons can be hardwired or plugged into a wall outlet with a screw-in adapter.
Although deploying the Alertus solution typically does not necessitate on-site service, Alertus enjoys visiting its clients’ facilities whenever possible.
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"The Alertus device really rounds out our multi-channel system. This will really give us a robust multi-channel communication capacity that I think will place VCU's emergency communications system among the most reliable."
John Bennett
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"We have used [the Alert Beacons] several times for weather-related incidents.
"...We trained 62 people on the system...it was very easy to train people on it. "Our IT people have been very impressed. Whenever they have a question, whenever they have a suggestion, [Alertus'] engineers help them out."
Frank Zebedis |
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"We particularly appreciated the [Alert] Beacons' ability to interface with external audio-visual devices such as sirens, strobes, television, and scrolling marquees. We feel that these types of displays are well-suited [for] notifying a portion of our disabled population and complying with ADA requirements...The audible signal emitted from the [Alert] Beacon is distinct from the college fire alarms to minimize confusion."
Steve Corich |
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"It's the best thing I've ever bought. It works without any problems. Very simple to use. We had a thunderstorm warning today, and I was up and ready with it."
"The [Alertus] system is very reliable and easy to manage. The system's strength is in its simplicity and user-friendliness."
Randy Merced |