Say it loud, say it clear: IP paging and PA systems

Schools require reliable systems to manage daily operations, coordinate emergency responses, effortlessly host events and celebrations, and facilitate smooth interaction across campus. IP paging and PA systems are at the forefront of this.

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Cutting-edge technology

The crackling old PA system of years gone by is no more, with modern systems integrating with existing networks, providing a unified platform for managing all communication needs. For instance, some of the latest advancements include digital signal processing (DSP) for clearer audio, wireless connectivity for flexible installation, and cloud-based management for remote control and monitoring. These technologies offer enhanced reliability and clarity, ensuring that messages are delivered promptly and accurately, which is crucial during emergencies.

Additionally, essential communications such as school bells can be automated, allowing administration staff to ‘set and forget’ whilst still being able to adjust as required.

Design and system selection

Selecting the right PA system is pivotal for ensuring crystal-clear communication with staff, students, and visitors across campus. Understanding the specific needs of the school is the first step. This includes evaluating the size of the campus, the number of buildings, and the typical communication challenges faced by staff and students. The sensory needs of the student cohort is another factor which should be considered.

Next, scalability and flexibility are crucial. Schools need systems that can grow with their changing requirements, allowing for easy additions or modifications. For example, a modular system that supports both wired and wireless components can adapt to different areas of the campus without extensive reconfiguration. Additionally, ensuring compatibility with other existing systems, such as fire alarms and security systems, can streamline operations and improve overall safety.

For school ceremonies such as graduations or whole-school performances specialist equipment may be required. Wireless microphones, and bluetooth music connectivity can be essential components to consider when looking to upgrade your current system to support events. It is important to also ensure your new system can play DVDs or CDs if this is something that your school will continue to require.

Portable PA systems and accessories

Many schools require adaptable and mobile communication solutions, particularly for outdoor events such as sports games, carnivals, or festivals. Significantly, portable PA Systems may also be invaluable in case of an emergency on campus, such as a fire evacuation.

Portable PA systems offer the flexibility to address these needs. These systems are lightweight, easy to transport, and quick to set up, making them an essential communication tool outside of the campus walls. Modern systems also come with wireless microphones and rechargeable batteries, providing robust performance without the constraints of traditional wired systems.

Accessories such as additional speakers, and mounts can add to the versatility of these portable systems.

Emergency Announcements

In critical situations like fire evacuations, intruder lockdowns, and severe weather warnings, precise and prompt communication is paramount. IP paging and PA systems are designed to efficiently relay emergency notifications and alerts, ensuring that vital information reaches every member of the school community and allows staff to respond to emergency events promptly. Advanced systems can also prioritise emergency messages over routine announcements, automatically interrupting ongoing communications to deliver urgent alerts.

Features such as pre-recorded messages, and integration with emergency services can enhance the benefits for the school community. Additionally, these systems can provide real-time updates and instructions, helping to manage the situation effectively and minimise confusion or panic.

Insights from the experts

Simon Dixon from Sandman Sound said the availability of IP systems gives schools full control of the paging system, so each classroom can be paged individually, as well as whole buildings and external zones. “Other advancements are the awareness around audio sensory sensitivities and the affect they can have on learning spaces,” Mr Dixon said.

“Unfortunately, there seems to be an increased number of occasions where a school needs to activate their lockdown procedures. Due to this increase in the need for safety, the utilisation of secondary activation points has been in higher demand; this allows people to activate an alarm in multiple locations if the situation requires.

“It’s fantastic to see the increase in tasks that schools are using their bell timers to perform. We wholeheartedly support schools ‘thinking outside the box’ and we are always eager to help them customise their system to suit their specific needs,” Mr Dixon said. “Some schools are ditching the bell tone altogether and just playing music a few times a day to help students prepare for the upcoming period.  We also have many schools playing mindfulness music, pre-recorded and personalised messages at a certain time each day.”

Zoran Aleksovski from Prolinx explained that school’s should think about what functionality is required from the PA system prior to installation. “Does the school require paging, emergency tones, lockdown tones, prebell, custom messaging for example in bushfire or flood prone areas, wet weather message, return to class message and so on.”

Schools should also consider whether internal and external speakers will be required, if music will be played through the speakers, and if separate building zones are required. “Cable access will determine whether a conventional 100v line system would be advised. The other option would be an IP based PA system utilising the school’s existing network infrastructure,” Mr Aleksovski said.

For covered outdoor learning areas, Mr Aleksovski said a range of features can be incorporated into PA systems, including school bells, emergency tones, lockdown tones and prebells, wireless microphones, and bluetooth connectivity. The ability to control the COLA PA system audio remotely via an Ipad or wireless device can also be incorporated.

“A school can expand on its existing PA system providing the PA system headend is still operational and the equipment is current,” he said. “In some cases, additional hardware would need to be added to allow for expansion within the existing PA system, and to achieve the school’s expectation and budget requirements.”

Linus Pinto from Advance Net said that because IP paging and PA are modular, they are highly customisable to suit individual school needs. “Schools can start with a basic system and slowly expand as required. For example, a school can start with an IP bell solution integrated into an existing legacy PA system and slowly add IP speakers as required.

“IP technology ensures easy integration with data networks and a high degree of flexibility in terms of configuration, operation and management. If there are many speakers in a school, you can divide the site into zones and make announcements in one or more zones or to the entire school. You can also make announcements to individual classrooms, several classrooms, or to the whole school,” Mr Pinto said.

More flexibility is provided through administrator control of the system, which can be managed from a PC. “IP PA systems also allow integration of emergency call buttons, strobes and digital displays for effective communication to ensure safety and security of students and staff.”