An evacuation alarm system, known in the Netherlands as an ontruimingsinstallatie (OAI), ensures that everyone leaves the building promptly and safely in the event of a fire. We design, supply and maintain your evacuation alarm system in compliance with NEN 2575, the Dutch standard for evacuation alarm systems, linked to the fire alarm system and suitable for type A (voice messaging) or type B (slow whoop).
An evacuation alarm system, also referred to as an OAI or evacuation (voice) alarm system, connects to the fire alarm system and ensures that, upon a confirmed fire alarm, everyone in the building automatically receives an evacuation alarm and is prompted to leave. Whether an evacuation alarm system is mandatory for your situation, and which type then applies, follows from the Dutch Buildings Decree, the Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving (Bbl), which replaced the Buildings Decree 2012 (Bouwbesluit 2012) on 1 January 2024. We assess this during the intake and configure the system accordingly.
At Cebec, we have been installing fire-safety and security technology with craftsmanship and personal attention for more than 50 years. As a recognised installer of fire alarm and evacuation alarm systems for businesses, we prefer to deliver both systems from a single source, so that the two installations are fully aligned at a technical level. You have a single point of contact that knows your building and your installation inside out.
The NEN 2575 standard sets out the requirements for the design, audibility, coverage, reliability and control of your evacuation alarm system. For maintenance, NEN 2654-2 applies, which prescribes annual inspection and periodic checks. We handle the entire process, from advice and design through to installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance of the evacuation alarm system.
The obligation to have an evacuation alarm system follows from the Dutch Buildings Decree (Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving, Bbl), which replaced the Buildings Decree 2012 on 1 January 2024. For each use function, it determines whether an OAI is required and which type. Below are the three most frequently asked questions about these obligations.
An evacuation alarm system is mandatory in almost all cases where a fire alarm system is also required. This applies, among others, to assembly, education, healthcare, accommodation and custodial use functions, as well as to larger office and industrial premises. Annexe II of the Bbl links the obligation for an OAI to the use function, floor area and building height. We assess your situation and advise whether an evacuation alarm system is required in your building.
Yes, in almost all cases. The fire alarm control panel triggers the evacuation alarm control panel directly as soon as there is a confirmed fire alarm, so that the evacuation signal sounds automatically. Only in small buildings without a mandatory fire alarm system can a manually operated system suffice in exceptional cases. For buildings with a mandatory fire alarm system, an automatic and linked OAI is effectively always required.
Where an inspection certificate is mandatory for the fire alarm system, the linked evacuation alarm system is almost always covered by it. This means that an accredited inspection body periodically assesses both installations in accordance with the CCV scheme. Insurers may also impose additional requirements regarding certification and maintenance.
NEN 2575 distinguishes two main types of OAI on which the evacuation alarm can be based. The choice between an evacuation alarm system type A and an evacuation alarm system type B follows from the use function, the size of the building and the extent to which occupants are familiar with the premises. For some use functions, the Bbl explicitly prescribes evacuation alarm type A, while for others type B with slow whoop is sufficient.
The obligation to have an OAI follows from the Bbl (Annexe II), linked to the obligation for a fire alarm system. Which type (A or B) of OAI you must install is laid down in NEN 2575-1 and depends on the use function, the size of the building and the extent to which occupants are familiar with the premises.
Type A for large numbers of members of the public or visitors unfamiliar with the building. Type B for regular occupants who know the routes.
Type A for larger complexes and phased evacuation. Type B for clearly laid-out, more compact buildings.
Alongside evacuation, type A also offers public address and background music. Type B is purely an evacuation alarm, robust and cost-efficient.
Unsure whether your building calls for an evacuation alarm system type A or type B? We assess this during the intake on the basis of the use function, the floor area and the escape routes. You receive clear advice, including a rationale drawn from the Bbl and NEN 2575.
A fire alarm system and an evacuation (voice) alarm system are two distinct systems, each with its own role. The fire alarm system detects fire and raises the alarm, while the evacuation alarm system alerts everyone in the building to evacuate. Together they form a single linked safety chain that is treated as a whole in the Bbl and the NEN standards.
In a type B evacuation alarm system, the slow whoop sounders are often connected directly to the fire alarm control panel, so that the fire alarm and evacuation alarm systems form a single integrated system at a technical level. In type A, there are two control panels that communicate via a certified link. In both cases, we prefer to deliver the fire alarm and evacuation alarm systems from a single source, so that you have one point of contact for both installations.
More about fire alarm systemsThe make-up of an OAI differs between type A and type B, but most of the core components are comparable. Below are the main parts that we design, install and maintain for you.
The heart of the installation. It monitors all connected components, drives the loudspeakers or sounders and records all events in a logbook. Linked directly to the fire alarm control panel.
Distributed across corridors, halls, stairwells and work areas. Controllable per area so that evacuation can be phased or selective. Fire-resistant construction in compliance with NEN 2575.
Slow whoop sounders and optical beacons, positioned at strategic points to achieve a covering sound pressure level throughout the building. Beacons supplement the sounders for those who are hard of hearing.
In type A, amplifiers provide correct sound reproduction per zone. A standby power supply with battery backup keeps the installation operational for at least 24 hours in the event of a power failure.
Upon a confirmed alarm, the fire alarm control panel triggers the evacuation alarm control panel directly. Zones can be evacuated in phases, for example the fire zone first and then adjacent areas.
The in-house emergency response team or the fire service can operate the installation manually from an operating panel, record a spoken message or control zones selectively for phased evacuation.
Installing an evacuation alarm system for businesses begins with a thorough survey and ends with certified commissioning. Because we also supply your fire alarm system, both installations are fully aligned at a technical level and you retain a single point of contact for the fire alarm and evacuation alarm systems.
We assess the use function, escape routes and acoustic characteristics of the building. This results in a schedule of requirements, with a choice of type A or type B.
On the basis of the requirements, we design the complete installation, with the loudspeaker layout or sounder positioning, amplifier capacity and control from the fire alarm control panel.
Our engineers install the system, test intelligibility for type A or measure the sound pressure level for type B, and program the link with the fire alarm control panel.
On commissioning, you receive documentation, a logbook and instruction for the emergency response team. Annual maintenance to NEN 2654-2 is included as standard in a single contract with your fire alarm system.
Every project begins with a survey on site, without obligation. Within a week, you will know which type of OAI is required for your building and what the investment will be.
Fire detection and evacuation form a single safety chain. That is why we combine the management and maintenance of your fire alarm and evacuation alarm systems in a single contract as standard, on the basis of NEN 2654-1 (fire alarm system) and NEN 2654-2 (evacuation alarm system).
Annual certified maintenance to NEN 2654-1 (fire alarm system) and NEN 2654-2 (evacuation alarm system) in a single visit. Loudspeakers, sounders, the control panel, amplifiers, standby power and transmission are tested in full.
Monthly checks and logbook records for both the fire alarm system and the evacuation alarm system. You have a single certified manager who knows and operates both installations.
The fire alarm system detects a fire, while the evacuation alarm system alerts the occupants and prompts them to leave safely. The fire alarm system (NEN 2535) transmits the alert internally and, in specific cases, to the fire service, whereas the evacuation (voice) alarm system (NEN 2575) handles the alerting within the building itself. Both systems are technically linked and complement each other within the fire-safety chain.
Type A with voice messaging is mandatory in buildings with large numbers of members of the public or unfamiliar occupants, while type B with slow whoop sounders suffices for smaller business premises and clearly laid-out offices. Type A is mandatory for schools, healthcare institutions and larger assembly buildings. During the intake, we assess which type is required for your building under the Bbl and NEN 2575.
NEN 2575 sets out the design and installation of an evacuation (voice) alarm system (OAI). NEN 2654-2 sets out the management, inspection and maintenance of the OAI. Where NEN 2575 concerns how the installation is set up and commissioned, NEN 2654-2 concerns how the installation continues to function reliably throughout its service life. Both standards apply throughout the entire process.
Yes. NEN 2654-2 prescribes annual maintenance, supplemented by monthly checks carried out by a designated manager. Without valid maintenance, you do not meet the statutory requirements and your insurer may refuse cover. We carry out the maintenance as standard during the same visit as your fire alarm system.
NEN 2575 requires the installation to remain operational on standby for at least 24 hours in the event of a power failure, and then to be able to carry out a full evacuation for at least a further 30 minutes. This is provided by a standby power supply with battery backup. The condition of these batteries is tested at every maintenance visit and they are replaced in good time.
Certainly. We begin with a baseline assessment in which the installation is checked for operation, documentation and logbook. If there are any shortcomings, we set these out with a quotation for remedial work. We then take over the maintenance under a new contract, together with your fire alarm system maintenance if you wish.
A compact type B installation for an office building starts at a few thousand euros, while a type A installation with phased evacuation for a larger complex runs considerably higher. The total cost depends on the type of OAI (type A with loudspeakers or type B with slow whoop sounders), the floor area of the building, the number of zones and the complexity of the control from the fire alarm control panel. We first draw up a design and schedule of requirements, so that you know in advance exactly what the investment will be for your situation.
We assess your situation, advise on the right type of OAI and prepare a tailored quotation. Free and without obligation.