Intercom Systems work digitally.
Press Release Summary:
Echo provides single system for intercom, public address, general alarm, paging, and telecommunication functions. It has prioritized public address with one-touch emergency paging, programmable station directory, speed dialing, caller I.D., busy-line camping, call conferencing, fault isolation, and remote modem control. It accepts multiple audio sources for tones, voice messages, and background music, and interfaces with fire and gas detection systems.
Original Press Release:
Federal Signal Offers Industrial Strength, Multi-Duty Intercom Systems
UNIVERSITY PARK, IL - March, 2002. Federal Signal Integrated Systems Group has introduced "Echo," a line of digital intercom and communications systems designed to provide industrial operations with a single system that provides intercom, public address, general alarm, paging, and telecommunication functions. Echo systems can be configured to provide the same level of safety, coverage, and reliability achieved through the use of multiple systems. Since the Echo serves a wide variety of communication needs with a minimum amount of equipment, users can reduce expense because installation and maintenance time are minimized.
Originally designed to meet the rigorous safety and reliability requirements of offshore drilling operations, Echo has been installed and field-proven in world-class operations, the largest having 60 stations and over a mile of cabling. Now Echo systems are also installed in land-based operations where safety is a high priority, such as those in the petrochemical, heavy industrial, and public utilities segments. Explains Ray White of Federal Signal, "We used the tough standards of offshore as our baseline, and then made Echo feature-rich and built in as much versatility and flexibility as we could." A full range of features is standard with every system -- prioritized public address with one-touch emergency paging, a programmable station directory, speed dialing, caller I.D., busy-line camping, call conferencing, full system supervision, fault isolation, and remote modem control. Customizing is done quickly via the point-and-click Windows-based software or with a pushbutton interface.
While Echo functions as a stand-alone communications system, it can also work in conjunction with other systems. "Customers asked us for a system with multiple interface capabilities." White says, "and Echo offers that capability for all the key functions." With a PBX interface, each station can access a telephone system and eliminate the need for costly hazardous location or weatherproof phones. Echo can provide public address or work with an existing public address system. It accepts multiple audio sources for tones, pre-recorded voice messages, and even background music. It also interfaces with the critical fire and gas detection systems.
"Although its many features make Echo versatile and easy to use, the equipment is designed to save users a lot of expense during installation and maintenance."' White says. "For instance, wiring is easy and cost effective." Technicians find installation to be simple and fast because two-conductor cable is all that is necessary to supply power, audio and control. Non-polarized connections eliminate the potential for confusion and costly mistakes. Because the cable is an off-the-shelf component, it is readily available at a low cost. "Commissioning a typical system can take weeks. Echo systems can be installed and running in hours," White says.
Federal Signal offers a variety of Echo stations and options that meet the unique requirements found throughout industrial facilities. The broad line includes stations for hazardous locations, explosion proof environments, security stations, offices, and common areas. Station-specific options such as hands-free units, gooseneck microphones, and headsets are available to help achieve optimum performance at each location. As operations change or grow, Echo systems can be expanded infinitely or reconfigured at any time with minimum effort.
The Echo system requires a minimal number of spare parts. The critical wear and tear parts are limited to PC boards, keypads, and handsets. Since the basic PC boards are standardized - independent of station or handset style - minimal spares are necessary.
More about Federal Signal Integrated Systems Group
Federal Signal Integrated Systems Group is a leading supplier of communication and security equipment for the industrial and offshore marketplaces. The Integrated Systems Design Team provides value-added engineering and design services for intercom, public address, general alarm and rigorous duty back up power systems. Particular expertise in hazardous location, telecommunications, fiber optics. and radio communication networks brings cost effective system designs to a wide variety of applications.
