R&D Division

EWIS Design & Acoustic Engineering

Acoustic modelling for speech intelligibility, staged evacuation algorithm development, and audio DSP firmware engineering for AS 1670.4 compliant Emergency Warning & Intercommunication Systems.

Research Overview

The EWIS Design & Acoustic Engineering division develops Emergency Warning and Intercommunication Systems that ensure clear, intelligible emergency communication in the most acoustically challenging environments. Our research spans computational acoustic modelling for Speech Transmission Index (STI) prediction, achieving the AS 1670.4 requirement of STI > 0.5 across all occupied spaces.

Staged evacuation algorithm development is a core focus — programming the complex sequencing logic that coordinates alert tones, evacuation signals, and voice announcements across multi-zone buildings in precise synchronisation with fire panel cause-and-effect matrices and warden intercom protocols.

Our audio DSP firmware team develops embedded signal processing solutions for noise-cancelling emergency announcements, adaptive gain control in high-ambient-noise environments, and real-time audio routing across warden intercom network topologies. Multi-building campus-wide EWIS networking enables coordinated emergency communication across entire precincts.

Technical Methodology

From acoustic survey through commissioning and verification.

01

Acoustic Environment Survey

Detailed measurement of ambient noise levels, room acoustics (reverberation time, absorption coefficients), and spatial geometry to establish baseline conditions for speech intelligibility modelling.

02

STI Prediction & Speaker Layout Design

Computational acoustic modelling to predict Speech Transmission Index (STI) across all occupied spaces, optimising speaker type, placement, orientation, and power to achieve STI > 0.5 compliance per AS 1670.4.

03

Staged Evacuation Algorithm Development

Programming of staged evacuation sequences coordinated with fire panel cause-and-effect matrices, ensuring alert and evacuation tones are delivered to correct zones in the correct sequence and timing.

04

Audio DSP Firmware Engineering

Development of digital signal processing firmware for noise-cancelling emergency announcements, adaptive gain control, and real-time audio routing across warden intercom network topologies.

05

Commissioning & STI Verification

On-site STI measurement using STIPA test signals and calibrated analysers, verifying that installed systems meet or exceed the predicted speech intelligibility performance at every measurement location.

Key Research Outcomes

Core capabilities from our EWIS and acoustic engineering programme.

Acoustic Modelling

Ray-tracing and image-source method acoustic simulations predicting speech intelligibility across complex architectural spaces with validated accuracy.

Staged Evacuation Logic

Algorithm development for multi-phase evacuation sequences integrating with fire panel zones, smoke detection inputs, and manual warden override protocols.

Audio DSP Firmware

Embedded digital signal processing for noise-cancelling announcements, adaptive equalisation, and multi-channel audio routing across distributed speaker networks.

Campus-Wide EWIS

Multi-building EWIS networking solutions enabling coordinated emergency communication across entire campus, precinct, or high-rise complex installations.

Standards & Publications Referenced

Acoustic and fire safety standards guiding our EWIS engineering research.

  • AS 1670.4 — Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems: sound systems and intercom systems for emergency purposes
  • AS 7240.2 — Fire detection and alarm systems: control and indicating equipment
  • AS 2220 — Emergency warning and intercommunication systems in buildings
  • IEC 60268-16 — Sound system equipment: objective rating of speech intelligibility by STI
  • NFPA 72 — National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (Chapter 18: Notification Appliances)
  • BS 5839-8 — Fire detection and fire alarm systems: voice alarm systems

Discuss EWIS Engineering

Need acoustic modelling for speech intelligibility or staged evacuation system design? Our EWIS engineering team is ready to collaborate.

Discuss EWIS Engineering