727$/),1$(/) General Specification Date: 02/01

GS TEL 140 Rev: 00

4.3.4 Performance requirements

In areas where the background noise level is lower than 85 dBa
Each half system alone (“A” or “B”) or the system, if not duplicated, shall be set to produce a
sound level for speech of at least 10 dB but not greater than 20 dB above the ambient noise
level in all areas where personnel may be present during normal operation. These areas shall
also include muster areas, bridges and lifeboat areas if applicable.
The minimum sound level shall be 65 dBa in all areas of the platform or plant and 75 dBa in the
bedrooms.
Alarm signals shall be at least 6 dB above the background noise in all areas.
Emergency verbal announcements shall be clearly intelligible in all areas.
In areas where the background noise level equals or exceeds 85 dBa, flashing beacons
shall be provided to supplement audible alarms and emergency verbal announcements.
For a background noise of 85 dBa and above, each half system alone (“A” or “B”) or the system,
if not duplicated, shall be set to produce a sound level for emergency signals of 6 dB above the
ambient noise, which may be allowed to deteriorate progressively.
However, for a background noise of 92 dBa and up to 100 dBa, the acoustic level of an
emergency signal at 3 m in front of any operational loudspeaker shall be at least 6 dB above the
surrounding ambient noise.

4.3.5 Connection to the fire and gas system

The Fire and Gas system shall provide normally closed volt free contacts to each of the systems
“A” and “B” to automatically initiate the General Alarm or GPA in case of gas detection or in
case of confirmed fire detection in the relevant zones.
Fire and gas inputs will be galvanically isolated, with voltage free relay contacts, closed under
normal conditions, opening momentarily for one second to start the alarm.

4.3.6 Safety requirements

In case of an ESD level 0, the PA/GA equipment racks power supply shall be tripped after a pre-
set period of time adjustable between 0 and 15 minutes.
In case of a PA/GA system covering two or more areas which can be shutdown independently
upon gas detection in one area, the system must be designed in such a way as to ensure the
safe operation of the system in the area where the hazard exists.
To this end:
• The power supply feeding the local PA/GA main equipment in the area under hazard must
be automatically tripped to prevent any risk of ignition
• The Access Unit(s) and OCU(s) in the area under gas detection must be suitable for
operation in a hazardous area
• The design of the PA/GA equipment shall be such that no potentially dangerous voltages
or currents will be fed to the de-energised PA/GA system from the active system. This
may require zener electrical safety barriers and cut-off relays where necessary.

4.3.7 Loudspeaker loop losses

The loudspeaker loops cable sizing shall be such that the overall loudspeaker loop losses,
including cable losses and amplifier mismatch shall not exceed 20 % of the actual loop power
requirements.
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