Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is an Emergency Mass Notification System?
A: The best resource to provide credible information on the recommended components of a Mass notification system can be found in the United States Department of Defense Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC), UFC 4-021-01, published in December, 2002 and still in effect today. These published criteria, following the 9-11 tragedy, provides in pertinent part: "Mass notification is the capability to provide real-time information to all building occupants or personnel in the immediate vicinity of a building during emergency situations. To reduce the risk of mass casualties, there must be a timely means to notify building occupants of threats and what should be done in response to those threats. Pre-recorded and live voice emergency messages are required by this UFC to provide this capability".
It is clear from the criteria contained in DOD, UFC 4-021-01 that an appropriate and capable Mass Notification System must have the capability to instantly broadcast voice instructions that will appraise people what has occurred and instruct of what to do. The instructions should be customized for each building and zone to match its unique evacuation plan. Other instant alerts such as public area LED displays and strobe lights are important as well for the hearing impaired. E-mail text messaging and phone message distribution alerts can be used in non-critical situations or as a secondary option due to their relatively slow notification process, lack of ability to notify all intended message recipients and the tendency of communication lines to fail due to an overload during emergency situations.
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Q: What are the differences between AlertWave and other Mass Notification technologies?
A: The AlertWave system provides security and safety administrators with full control to plan and manage how to notify and warn the masses during emergency situations. In case of an emergency, the AlertWave system can initiate an instantaneous wireless, voice and/or data alerts to an array of wireless public address speakers, LED displays and strobe lights located in rooms, floors, buildings and public areas. In addition, the AlertWave system can send text messaging to pre-defined e-mail lists or to pre-recorded voice messages to a pre-defined phone list. Other text or phone based notification technologies are ineffective based upon one or more of the following:
* Too slow when every second counts
* Need people to answer the phone or check e-mail - ineffective during meetings, class or night time
* Cannot notify people that are not on the alert list including visitors and in public areas
* Cannot generate an area specific instructions as it cannot locate subscribers
* Uses unreliable communication lines that are prone to fail during emergency situations
* Place the facility safety in the hands of a third party, resulting in little control during emergencies.
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Q: Why should I purchase from Visiplex?
A: Visiplex is an experienced wireless product manufacturer for over 15 years. Since wireless technology is at the heart of the AlertWave system, Visiplex uses its expertise to provide an elegant adaptation of proven wireless, high powered and FCC approved technology into a selected line of speakers, alphanumeric message displays, strobe lights, sirens and more. Visiplex offers an expanded line of competitively priced products suitable for installations ranging from small grade schools that require a small wireless system, to large university centers and industrial complexes needing a powerful networked wireless system with thousands of speakers, alphanumeric LED displays, strobe lights and other wirelessly controlled devices. As a well known manufacturer, Visiplex has hundreds of dealers and resellers nationwide that can provide professional installation and maintenance services, if required. With more than 20,000 installations nationwide, Visiplex's customer list is very large and makes choosing us a simple choice.
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Q: What is the transmission range of the AlertWave system?
A: The AlertWave System can cover a small elementary school up to an entire town with one transmitter! The AlertWave System uses a paging band to send the voice and data information to all of its wirelessly controlled devices and can use a transmission power of 4-350 watts, as needed, to provide full coverage to your facility. Visiplex systems are installed in some of the largest universities and government facilities in the country utilizing one transmitter to provide full transmission coverage.
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Q: What size transmitter should I choose?
A: Wireless system coverage is impacted by construction materials, certain shielded areas, antenna positioning, antenna height and overall transmitter power. For example, an average grade school will need a 2-4 watt transmitter; a high school will need a 4-10 watt transmitter, a hospital will need a 10-25 watt transmitter, a large medical center will need a 100-350 watt transmitter. To get a better idea about your power needs, call our sales representatives.
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Q: What is the quality of the AlertWave components?
A: All components of the AlertWave System meet high-quality industry standards, use industry proven technologies and have been field-tested.
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Q: Do I need professional installation?
A: Most of the AlertWave system components can be installed without the need of professional installers. All of the systems that use a magnetic mount antenna (transmitter power of less than 40 watts) can be installed with a simple mounting procedure, by mounting the antenna on a large metal base. Since the entire system is wireless, all of the other components can be installed without any professional assistance. If your system is designed to cover a very large facility, such as an entire university or medical center, it is recommended to use a professional installer to install the transmitter antenna on the roof, and choose the best location for the transmitter installation. If you need or choose to install the system by a professional, Visiplex can offer professional installation services by our staff or recommend one of our dealers in your area.
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Q: How does the AlertWave system cost compare with a hard-wired system?
A: The primary cost difference between a wireless system and a hard wired system relates to the costly wiring of the facility and future related wiring problems. For example, a 100,000 sq. ft. facility with 50 PA speakers, will cost approx. $15,000 for system parts, and approx $10,000 to wire the building. This represents a savings of 40% in the total project cost. Another cost saving factor with a wireless system is that there is no need for expensive service calls for wiring problems or product relocation, since it can be done easily by the user.
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Q: Will the system keep running when the power goes out?
A: In case of a power outage, the powered signboards and speakers will be inactive during the outage (unless equipped with the available battery option). The transmitter and encoder will also be inactive (unless equipped with a power backup UPS).
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Q: Can I expand my system and add more speakers, alphanumeric displays, etc?
A: One of the most significant advantages of a wireless system is the availability to add more wireless controlled devices and expand the system as needed. The AlertWave system provides broad options in addition to adding speakers. You can start with a simple PA system and later expand the system to provide text messaging to digital signboards, activation of wireless bells, controlling wireless strobe lights, network interface, etc.
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Q: Where do I buy the AlertWave System?
A: The Visiplex AlertWave products can be ordered from one of our dealers in your area, or directly from us. You can call (847) 918-0250 to talk to our sales representatives, fax your order to (847) 918-0259 or e-mail it to sales@alertwave.com.
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