Public address | general alarm system

AlphaAnnounce
Reliable onboard communication

www.jrc.am
 Public Address &
General Alarm
The AlphaAnnounce Digital is a DNV type approved
high quality maritime Public Address and General
Alarm (PAGA) system in conformity to SOLAS/IMO
and IEC regulations for vessels above 500 gross
tonnage and passenger vessels. This modular
solution allows officers and crew to communicate
through public announcements or via various
alarms in case of emergency situations.

Flexible & modular

The system comprises of an 8-channel digital amplifier, a line transfer unit to supply 100V output
and a back-up panel. The AlphaAnnounce can be extended from a single paging zone system to an
extensive system covering several sections in a ship. By connecting units, it is possible to create a
system, with as many as 64 central units and 512 speaker lines with numerous paging zones. The
central unit repeats all necessary alarm and evacuation commands, which are saved directly in the
message memory.

Cost of ownership Key in sound

PAGA devices are a part of the ships electrical The key role of a sound reproduction and voice
equipment and are required to perform with a evacuation system is to transmit information,
long lifetime. The AlphaAnnounce is designed sometimes in extreme circumstances. Sirens,
and manufactured to be used at full power 24/7. sounders and bells do not communicate clearly
The efficiency of a digital amplifier is one of the what the emergency is, and that is when a spoken
key features, with minimum heat loss, saved message is the most effective way to direct people,
electricity and effective secondary power supply, especially in unfamiliar spaces. The system is
resulting in a longer life cycle of the system and SOLAS certified and therefore also includes
lower Total Cost of Ownership. standard maritime alarm tones.
Digital amplifier
The multichannel digital amplifier is the heart of the system, which contains routines for diverse digital
signal processing and the monitoring of the system operation. It has versatile analog audio inputs,
effective digital signal processing circuitry and matrix, built-in prerecorded spoken message player
and 8 indepedent digital 150W power amplifiers. When 100V speakers are used, a line transfer unit
must be added to the configuration to convert 8Ω outputs to the desired line voltage of 70V or 100V.

Line transfer unit

The line transfer is a transformer unit for the public address and voice evacuation system. It converts
the low impedance (8Ω) input to constant voltage outputs (70-100V). The unit is installed in between
the amplifier and loudspeaker network. The unit contains 8 separate transformers and delivers 24V
DC priority voltage to ensure important messages are heard everywhere regardless of the current
volume settings.

Back-up unit
The back-up unit ensures communication in case of failure in the control panel or in the signal
processing, using a hand held microphone and push buttons. The unit is hardwired directly to the
amplifiers. It has a built-in independent message player. Messages are stored on a USB stick at the
backplane. This microphone has priority over the control panel of the master system. By pushing the
call button an announcement can be made in all zones at once.
AlphaAnnounce Manager
With the use of the AlphaAnnounce Manager the complete onboard system is manageable from a
single place. All properties and functions for the system can be configured with this software package.
A lockable sliding drawer can optionally be built into the central rack, which contains a mini laptop with
pre-installed AlphaAnnounce Manager software. This allows easy configuration and maintenance.
It is even possible to do remote management, configurations and maintenance when the laptop is
connected to the internet, from any location worldwide.

v Import and export of configuration

v Manage all systems (or racks) through the master
v Define paging zones, locked groups and routing
v Create, edit or remove time-based events
v Alarm and evacuation functions
v Monitoring speaker line and fan speed
v Initiate pre-recorded messages

Automatic fail redundancy

To assure ship safety, two complete systems should be installed at separate locations, known as
the A-B configuration. Two completely independent PAGA systems must be installed at physically
separated locations. Depending on the classification society or type of vessel, it is also possible
to use one system that is physically separated in an A-B configuration. The internal circuits, power
supplies and alarm/tone generators are completely redundant, designed to ensure operation in case
of any single failure. The AlphaAnnounce is designed and constructed like this, so it can be used in
either situation.

The intelligence of the AlphaAnnounce is one of the great benefits. The amplifier can be split in two
physically separated loops. If the master amplifier fails, the secondary amplifier (if installed) in the
same rack or in a redundant, separate space will take over due to the buss system technology. Next to
that, the back-up unit can be used as a final and last resort using the system.
Speakers
A full range 100V speakers is available to ensure clear communication in all circumstances: indoor,
machinery spaces, outside and hazardous areas (ATEX).

Wall speaker (ABS) Wall speaker (Wood) Corridor speaker (ABS)

Rated/max power 6/10 W Rated/max power 6 W Rated/max power 6/8 W
100V taps 0.75/1.5/3/6 W 100V taps 0.75/1.5/3/6 W 100V taps 0.5/1.5/3/6 W
Weight 1.6 kg Weight 1.6 kg Weight 0.8 kg

sa
Fi dom
re
fe
Double speaker (Aluminium) Ceiling speaker (Steel)

e
Rated/max power 10 W Rated/max power 6/10 W
100V taps 1.5/3/6/10 W 100V taps 0.75/1.5/3/6 W
Weight 1.8 kg Weight 1.9 kg

Horn speaker (ASA) Horn speaker (ASA)

Rated/max power 10/15 W Rated/max power 15/20 W
100V taps 1/2.5/5/10 W 100V taps 2/4/7.5/15 W
Weight 1.1 kg Weight 1.4 kg

Horn speaker (Polyamide) Horn speaker (Polypropene)

Rated/max power 30/40 W Rated/max power 50/70 W
100V taps 3.5/7.5/15/20/30 W 100V taps 4.5/9/12.5/25/50 W
Weight 2.2 kg Weight 4.1 kg
AT plia

AT plia
co

co
EX nt

EX nt
m

Horn speaker (Aluminium) Horn speaker (Aluminium)

Rated/max power 8 W Rated/max power 15 W
100V taps 2/4/6 W 100V taps 2/2.6/4/7.5/10/15 W
Weight 2 kg Weight 2.8 kg
Every ship is unique
The AlphaAnnounce Digital PAGA speakers can be installed in various spaces on the vessel. Cabin
and non-critical areas will have standard speakers, while in the engine control room and other critical
areas ATEX approved or outdoor horn speakers can be installed.

Bridge Engine room Anchor winch (Aft) deck

The main control should The sound in the engine Near the anchor and A general alarm must
be installed on the bridge. room is loud. Signaling mooring gear, an reach the crew at all
Speakers will be indoors, is done through visual outdoor speaker horn times. Several locations
therefore ceiling speakers aids in combination with could be installed for must be equipped with
will be the first choice. speaker horns. general alarms. outdoor horn speakers.

Control panel
The control panel is used to make announcements and control alarm messages. If system monitoring
is activated, the control panel can also be used to indicate and clear system faults. An extension
panel is available to extend the number of programmable push buttons for the control panel. With the
extension panel, a total of 16 push panels can control the AlphaAnnounce system.

Control panel

v Gooseneck microphone
v System error indication
v Eight programmable buttons for group or alarm
v Alarm buttons protected against accidental use
v Dimmable backlight/External dimmer input
v Local speaker mute contact
v Engraved buttons
Music and sound
Our dual sound and music source can be connected to the line inputs of the amplifier and routed
to different public areas while keeping a strict control of each zone. This makes is possible to
simultaneously play a CD in one zone while another area listens to the radio through the FM tuner.

Radio/CD/MP3 player

The system includes a CD player with anti-shock technology, playing both audio tracks and MP3
files. Naturally a USB port and an SD/MMD slot are available. The tuner (FM 87.5-108 MHz) allows
storing of up to 60 favorite and commonly used stations.

Local control
In numerous cases local input or source and volume and sound control are important for which
dedicated panels were developed to be installed for easy access at remote locations. The panels can
be mounted into a wall box and up to 32 control units can be connected.

The input and control unit allows

local broadcasts using a microphone
connected to a jack plug. Also 3
programmable function keys are
available, used for example for audio
input activation, call off or message
start and mute of local speaker.

The volume and source unit allow Input and control Volume and source
source selection and adjust volume
for one programmed group.
 www.jrc.am

Centers of Excellence
Houston, Rotterdam, Singapore, Tokyo

Contents are subject to change without notice © All rights reserved, JRC/AM -14.11/84/1