SPEECH INTELLIGIBILITY TESTING HAS NEVER BEEN SO EASY!

Published : 21/04/2017 11:00:59
Categories : Products

The Vox Speech Intelligibility Test Kit from FlameStop is the Professionals Choice

Speech intelligibility is a critical form of effective communication. The intelligibility of speech refers to the accuracy to how a normal listener can understand spoken words and phrases.

Even in todays multi-media society, speech is an extremely important and efficient means of individual lcommunication.

It is very important listeners can understand instructions given in various environments and situations. If people fail to hear clear voice communication in emergency situations it could lead to lives being lost and property destroyed.

SPEECH INTELLIGIBILITY TESTING IS MANDATORY UNDER AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS

Under AS1670.4 (2004 & 2015 Editions) speech intelligibility testing is mandatory when installing a brand new Emergency Warning & Intercommunication System (EWIS). Further testing of speech intelligibility should be carried out in accordance with the requirements of AS1851 (both the 2005 and 2012 editions).

Before conducting any tests at a site, technicians should thoroughly read and understand the requirements of the following Australian Standards:

AS1670.4-2015 Emergency Warning and Intercom Systems

4.3.8 - I NTELLIGIBILITY

APPENDIX A - MEASUREMENT OF SPEECH INTELLIGIBILITY

APPENDIX B - METHODS OF MEASURING SPEECH INTELLIGIBILITY

APPENDIX D - COMMISSIONING section (xi) and (d)

APPENDIX E - STANDARD FORM OF INSTALLERS STATEMENT FOR EMERGENCY WARNING SYSTEMS AND EMERGENCY INTERCOM SYSTEMS

AS1670.4-2004 Sound Systems and Intercom Systems for Emergency Purposes

4.3.6 - I NTELLIGIBILITY

APPENDIX A - MEASUREMENT OF SPEECH INTELLIGIBILITY

APPENDIX B - METHODS OF MEASURING SPEECH INTELLIGIBILITY

APPENDIX D - STANDARD FORM OF INSTALLERS STATEMENT FOR SOUND SYSTEM & INTERCOM SYSTEM

APPENDIX E - COMMISSIONING TEST REPORT

AS1851-2012 AS1851 Maintenance of Fire Protection Equipment

TABLE 6.4.1.3 - FIVE-YEARLY ROUTINE SERVICE SCHEDULE FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEM, SPECIAL HAZARD SYSTEMS AND SMOKE HAZARD MANAGEMENT

TABLE 6.4.3.2 - YEARLY SERVICE SCHEDULE EMERGENCY WARNING SYSTEM

TABLE 6.4.3.3 - FIVE YEARLY SERVICE SCHEDULE EMERGENCY WARNING SYSTEM

AS1851-2005 AS1851 Maintenance of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment

TABLE 9.4.2 - TESTING AND RECORDS SCHEDULE - SOUND SYSTEMS FOR EMERGENCY PURPOSES

PART NUMBER: PVOXSITKIT

STIPA^* is an objective method for measuring speech intelligibility using a specific test signal in combination with a dedicated acoustic measuring instrument.

The VOXBOX (also known as a Talk Box) is used to generate the STIPA signal and the VOX analyser is our dedicated acoustic measurement analyser used in the field.

You will need 2 people at a site when conducting speech intelligibility tests. One person will operate the VOXBOX (to be located right next to the microphone on the evacuation system being tested). The other person will be taking the STIPA measurements at various locations throughout a site using the VOX analyser STIPA measuring analyser.

Notes:^* STIPA Stands for “SPEECH TRANSMISSION INDEX FOR PUBLIC ADDRESS”

Measuring speech intelligibility using the VOX Kit is not particularly difficult.

Below are the 2 main steps taken when doing speech intelligibility testing.

1) We replace the (human) talker by a source of the STIPA test signal (the VOXBOX). Natural speech can’t generally be used for the test; it has to be the STIPA signal. This needs to be introduced in the same way as the natural, human speech would be (For example: using the same microphone, at the same distance on the evacuation system being tested).

2) We then replace the human listener by the microphone of the STIPA analyser (the VOX analyser). In practice, the STIPA analyser is usually moved around the test venue to obtain readings at multiple locations. Since a single measurement takes only 18 seconds, hundreds of individual measurements can be taken for a single venue if required. Mounting the VOX Analyser on a tripod stand at a fixed height of 1.5m is strongly recommended to ensure all readings are taken at a consistent height. These readings can then be compared at the same height for future readings at later dates.

Reports are shown in Microsoft Excel which makes record keeping & comparing future readings a breeze.

Besides from being simple to use, the Speech Intelligibility Hand Held Test Meter has an on-board memory which keeps a record of the tests conducted at your site.

This data can then be transferred onto your computer and can be saved as an Excel file. These records can then be used as evidence to confirm when the tests were conducted and the test results. In the future you can compare previous and new readings to ensure the speech intelligibility still meets the requirements of Australian Standards.

FlameStop fully support s the VOX Speech Intelligibility Kit from all of our national distribution centres. Professional companies use professional equipment.

The VOX test kit takes Speech Intelligibility Testing to a whole new level.

Categories

Latest News

SPEECH INTELLIGIBILITY TESTING HAS NEVER BEEN SO EASY!

The Vox Speech Intelligibility Test Kit from FlameStop is the Professionals Choice

SPEECH INTELLIGIBILITY TESTING IS MANDATORY UNDER AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS