C-Tec CA447A/DW/LD CAST White Invacuation/Lockdown Wall Voice Sounder VAD

C-Tec CA447A/DW/LD CAST White Invacuation/Lockdown Wall Voice Sounder VAD

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, or “Martyn’s Law”, means premises with a capacity of 200 or more are now legally required to prepare to have public protection measures in place, including lockdown plans, by April 2027.

Designed to improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK, Martyn’s Law means that those responsible for certain premises and events need to be better prepared and protected, ready to respond in the event of a terrorist attack or security incident.

Standard tier venues (with capacities for 200-799 people) need public protection procedures, including lockdown, communication, and evacuation/invacuation plans. Enhanced tier venues (with 800+ capacities) need the same but are additionally required to implement other specific measures and monitor the premises and immediate vicinity.

C-TEC’s battery-backed and fully-monitored lockdown solutions have been designed to help schools, theatres, shopping centres and other commercial and public venues comply with the legislation.

How does a lockdown system work?

A lockdown system (sometimes known as an invacuation system) is typically used to direct people to a designated secure area within a building to avoid threats from, say, active shooters or bomb alerts. To do this they sound distinctive alarms and/or voice messages throughout the building that are different from a venue’s fire evacuation or burglar alarm tones to avoid confusion.

The exact operation of a lockdown system and the actions that need to be taken when a threat is detected will be dependent on the venue’s risk assessment and emergency plan.

As requirements will differ from site to site, C-TEC’s lockdown solutions are designed to be tailorable to a building’s specific needs. They comprise a range of special multi-message voice sounders with a selection of pre-recorded messages and blue-flashing beacons that can be easily added to our dedicated LAP2/CA multi-message lockdown-alert panel or any ZFP CAST-protocol addressable fire system. A single message LAP501/CA lockdown alert panel is also available.

Messages can be triggered either manually via a set of secure keyswitches or by activating one or more lockdown call points.

Lockdown voice messages

The following voice messages are available on the CA447A/DW/LD. Note all five messages (1-5) can be tiggered using an LAP2/CA multi-message lockdown panel but only Message 1 can be triggered using an LAP501/CA single-message lockdown panel:-

Message 1 (internal threat, full lockdown situation)

“This is a full lockdown alert. There is an immediate threat within the building. Please follow full lockdown procedure. Stay calm and stay alert for further instructions.”

Message 2 (internal threat, partial lockdown situation)

“This is a lockdown alert. There is a threat within the building. Please follow partial lockdown procedures. Stay calm and stay alert for further instructions.”

Message 3 (external threat, partial lockdown situation)

“This is a lockdown alert. There is a threat outside the building. Please follow partial lockdown procedure. Stay calm and stay alert for further instructions.”

Message 4 (full evacuation)

“Attention please. This is an emergency. Please leave the building by the nearest available exit.”

Message 5 (all clear, situation resolved)

“All clear, The emergency has been resolved. All clear. All clear. The emergency has been resolved. All clear.”

Key Features

• A powerful wall-mounting high-output voice sounder VAD specifically designed for use on a C-TEC CAST Invacuation/Lockdown system.
• Can sound multiple messages to suit different levels of threat when used as part of a dedicated LAP2/CA Multi-Message Lockdown-Alert system or as part of a combined C-TEC ZFP CAST protocol fire alarm/lockdown system.
• Includes five voice messages as standard (custom or coded messages available to special order),
• Superb sound intelligibility.
• VAD will also flash blue when a lockdown situation is underway.
• Onboard short-circuit loop isolator.
• Four selectable volume levels.
• 26.5mA typical alarm current (470µA typical quiescent current) @ 27-40V DC.
• Group addressing facility allows multiple devices to be operated simultaneously.
• IP33C (Type B) rated.
• Can also be used on an LAP501/CA Single-Message Lockdown Alert system to sound a full lockdown message.