Design and O&M: Mass Notification Systems - a PDH Online Course for Engineers, Surveyors and Architects

Design and O&M: Mass Notification Systems

Course Outline

The need to implement security and antiterrorist measures in Department of Defense (DoD) facilities and structures has been clearly demonstrated. Meeting this need required changes in new and retrofit construction criteria, as well as new and upgraded systems installation. To insure consistency in construction standards and systems utilized in DoD facilities, uniform design criteria and requirements have been developed and incorporated into Unified Facilities Criteria (UFCs). A mass notification system (MNS) is one of the systems that falls under the requirements established by the security UFC series. A MNS is utilized to protect life by indicating the existence of an emergency situation, and instructing people of the necessary, and appropriate, response and action. The requirement for a mass notification system (MNS) is established by UFC 04-010-01, DoD Minimum Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings.

This 6 hour course covers the mass notification system (MNS) design and operations and maintenance requirements for the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy.

This course requires the completion of a multiple-choice quiz at its conclusion in order to obtain the necessary certification.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course the student should be able to:

Understand the background and purpose for this UFC;
Understand which DoD facilities are covered under these standards;
Be aware of other UFCs in the Security Engineering UFC series;
Identify the application of the Security Engineering UFC series;
Understand the qualifications of suppliers and contractors;
Understand the qualifications of system designers;
Be able to identify the MNS system types;
Be familiar with the MNS/FACP combination system requirements;
Be familiar with the backup power requirements for MNSs;
Be familiar with the system signal requirements;
Be familiar with the Central Control Station requirements;
Be familiar with the design requirements for high power speaker arrays;
Be familiar with the requirements and functions of the Autonomous Control Unit (ACU);
Be familiar with the requirements and functions of the Local Operating Console (LOC);
Understand the requirement to utilize off the shelf equipment in DoD MNS systems;
Understand the requirements for the Notification Appliance Network;
Be familiar with the PA interface requirements and recommendations;
Be familiar with some of the differences in system requirements for different DoD
Components;
Be aware of some of the special considerations associated with MNS design and installation;
Be aware of the most significant operational characteristics for MNSs;
Be familiar with maintenance requirements associated with a MNS; and
Be familiar with the qualifications of personnel maintaining a MNS.

Intended Audience

This course is intended for engineers, architects, facility planners, DoD intelligence personnel, DoD security personnel, government contracting personnel, DoD contractors, and students.

Benefit to Attendees

Attendees will be familiar with mass notification system design and operations and maintenance requirements associated with Department of Defense (DoD) facilities and structures.

Course Introduction

This course will cover the design and operations and maintenance requirements for MNS in Department of Defense (DoD) facilities and structures.

Course Content

In this course, you are required to study Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 4-021-01, Design and O&M: Mass Notification Systems.

Design and O&M: Mass Notification Systems

Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Course Summary

This course will briefly examine the following topics and will provide references for further in-depth information and study:

Introduction
            Background
            Purpose
            Scope
            References
            Qualifications of Suppliers and Contractors
Overview of Systems
Wide Area MNS
            Requirements for System Designers
System signals
Sub-systems
Central Control Stations
HPSA
Communications Links
Individual Building MNS for New Construction Projects
            Requirements for System Designers
System Overview
ACU
LOC
Notification Appliance Network
Interfaces with Wide Area MNS
Individual Building MNS for Renovation Projects
            Requirements for System Designers
Use of New Construction Criteria
System Overview
ACU
LOC
Notification Appliance Network
Interfaces with Wide Area MNS
Special Considerations
            Overview
Giant Voice System
Telephone Alerting System
Special Occupancies
Operational Characteristics
            Introduction
            Wide Area MNS
Individual Building MNS
Maintenance
            Maintenance responsibilities
            Qualifications of Maintenance Personnel
Individual Building MNS
Wide Area MNS

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.