Fike voice messaging system achieves highest MNS standard

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.—Fike, a fire and life safety solutions provider based here, recently announced that its CyberCat platform with integrated voice messaging is now 100 percent compliant with the UL 2572 standard for mass notification systems. Fike says it is the only fire manufacturer currently listed to the new standard.

“Some competitors are listed to the UL 2572 outline, but we are the only manufacturer currently listed to the final and published standard,” Kevin Montgomery, Fike electrical product manager, facilities protection, explained to Security Systems News in an email interview in mid-October. “This difference in the outline versus standard is that UL has now finalized a few additional tests that manufacturers must pass to fully comply to the UL 2572 standard. Fike has completed and passed all these tests.”

What does this development mean for dealers and installers?

The company says meeting the standard demonstrates Fike's commitment to the fire alarm market and quality products. Also, Montgomery said, it gives dealers and installers who use the product an edge when meeting job specifications. If the specs call for compliance with the UL 2572 standard, “then currently Fike would be the only manufacturer to provide this,” he said.

Also, he said, “Fike's Fire Command Center or voice evacuation system is capable of handling regular voice evacuation or fire alarm messages [either pre-recorded or live] as well as non-fire alarm messages [emergency communication or mass notification] … and our system has the capability to prioritize whether fire alarm or ECS messages are higher priority.”

Montgomery said having one system perform two functions saves on materials, installation costs and wall space. Also, he said, one system is easier for both the distributor and end user to train on and maintain.

The system is ideal for facilities that include military bases, educational, health care, industrial and corporate campuses, large commercial or industrial buildings, and manufacturing facilities, he said.