The type A evacuation system is another kind of evacuation system than a B installation.
The A system is always an autonomous system, which is connected to a fire panel. The control panel sends a command via a general alarm or a zone alarm. The type A evacuation system has as a result of its autonomous character its own power supply with ditto emergency power supply facility.
An A system is always a spoken word installation. This means that these centrals emit spoken messages to an infrastructure of speakers. In the Dutch situation it is also required that from a central control panel via a microphone spoken announcements can be made by, for example, the fire department during a evacuation procedure.
Type A installations are mentioned in a Program of Requirements in the following situations:
The property has a floor area of at least 10.000m2 and/or
The property has four floors or more, and/or
The property can locate 500 or more persons at the same time.