Facilities like schools may often rely on a loud and reliable system to hear important announcements and events. It’s going to serve everyone in the school and protect the teachers, children, administrators, and even the parents during an emergency.
If there are earthquakes, bomb threats, storms, or even mass shootings, everyone can be alerted, and they can run for the exit as fast as possible.Find out more about earthquake readiness on this webpage.
Also, the best intercom systems now have video capabilities so that the guards will see the faces of their visitors. They can monitor the entrance and exits and be alerted when someone suspicious goes into the school. Overall, these handy systems are going to make communication between the staff easier. Other advantages that they can provide include the following:
The Principal can Make Emergency Calls through the Intercom
In a large facility that consists of several buildings, the principal can search for a specific student and require him or her to stop by the office. Oftentimes, there can be sickness in the family, or they need to go to the hospital because of an accident. In a place where children are often searching for their schedules, frantically running to their next subjects, or lounging around cafeterias, it can be convenient for them to hear a centralized announcement.
Every second counts in various situations, and intercom systems are going to notify the right students at a moment’s notice. They can often hear the school intercom wherever they are at any point in time. These public address speakers are often installed through the halls, in the middle of the school grounds, or in gymnasiums so the message can get through or relayed to the right people.
Classroom Requests and Announcements
Most students can get updated with the upcoming sports events or festivals in their schools with the help of intercoms. These announcements can be pre-recorded and played repeatedly throughout the campus, so that no one misses the messages. Aside from school boards and posts, it’s often a good idea for people to hear the announcements as not many of them often have time to read what’s posted.
Connecting Everyone inside the School and Even Outside
Most schools install intercoms in their hallways where several classrooms can hear the speakers at once. Some teachers may also speak in a designated area in their buildings that can be heard by everyone else if they need the assistance of students or maintenance staff.
When there are problems that need immediate attention, others can often give notice to the person involved so they can have the appropriate response. See post about intercom in this link: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/intercom.
Overall, they are reliable forms of communication that can serve a lot of purposes. They can play background music to help everyone chill in the afternoons, tell everyone about the severe weather in the area, help in conducting emergency drills, and make sure that all the staff and students are aware of any possible security breach in school.
What are the Factors to Know when Buying an Intercom
Learn more about their coverage first and see if they can cover most of the essential rooms in the buildings where the students are. They should be able to reach the hallways, other common areas, playgrounds, parks, and track & field so announcements can be made.
Clarity of the sounds is also a must because the messages might fall on deaf ears when other people can’t understand what’s being said. The best intercoms should have high-quality speakers and they are easy to use. Even the students and new teachers should be able to find the right controls to make an announcement.
Your budget should also be taken into account. Find an online shop where you can get the all-in-one systems that will still enable you to install more when there’s a possibility of expansion. The size and features of the system will often depend on your budget.
Choose Between Wireless and Wired Systems
The ones that are hardwired are going to need a series of wire networks that will run through the floors, ceilings, and walls. They are often permanent, and the intercom may have lights and buzzing sounds that can be a sign of a paging signal.
Wireless ones utilize Wi-Fi technology so the units can communicate with each other. They are often utilized in situations where the internet signals are strong, and it can be tricky to build a connection of running wires all throughout the school buildings. They are often easily replicated, which means that new installations can be done easily, and they may need updates.
Knowing the Numbers that You Need
Know that there should be endpoint stations where a visitor can call, and then someone else will answer. It’s going to be simple with one entrance and exit but can get complicated in schools. Learning the number of devices that you need to install and making sure that they have waterproofing can be a good idea.
Take note of the IP or ingress protection rating that will help you determine if your chosen device can really withstand rain and adverse weather. There can be a rain hood installed for added protection against direct sunlight and shade the camera, so it’s best to see if this is what the school needs. On the other hand, indoor devices don’t really require an IP rating because they are less exposed to the elements.
IK rating, or the measurement of how the intercom can withstand frequent usage and public access, should also be considered. The higher the score, the more likely it’s labeled as vandal-resistant equipment. This is going to be a requirement for high-risk facilities like schools. Choosing between audio and video or an audio-only device can also be tricky. You might want to choose the latter because it’s not only the security of an individual that’s at stake, but it’s going to concern thousands of students and staff that’s on the campus. The latest cameras are going to provide a clearer feed and vibrant color about the visitor’s face, while others have high sensitivities and low-light technologies that can improve the videos at night.