a&s Adria: Could you tell us a bit about your background, including your education and professional experience? Additionally, what specific area of the business are you responsible for at Ambient System?
Starzynski: Thank you for this opportunity. I am Marcin Starzynski, CEO of Ambient System, Poland. I graduated from the Technical University of Gdańsk and Dominican University in Illinois. I gained my work and technological experience working for Polish technology companies in Telecommunication/IT and Security sectors. After joining Ambient System in 2014, I was mainly involved in global business development and product management.
a&s Adria: For 30 years, Ambient System has been delivering products for the high-tech fire safety industry. Could you share more about the company’s history, key milestones, current status, and any notable figures like number of employees?
Starzynski: The company has quite a long history, as it was founded in 1992, but I perversely tell my friends that I work in a dynamically developing start-up. I will explain why in a moment. From the very beginning, the main segment of the company’s activity was related to fire safety – we started with the distribution of fire detection systems.
The strategic decision to enter the design and production of PAVA systems was made in 2010, when we decided to create an R&D department and start working on our own PAVA solution. This meant a huge revolution – transforming the nature of the company from relatively simple distribution in Poland to an organization with its own research and development department, production department, and distribution structure and – over time – supporting our products globally.
In 2014, when we started reorganizing the company, it was a huge change – we focused exclusively on developing our own products, giving up other, previously provided distribution and installation services. Already in 2015, our flagship product debuted on the market – the MULTIVES system, on the basis of which we develop both global sales and new products to this day. To date, we have delivered over 10,000 PAVA systems and employ approx. 100 employees with teams based in Poland, Germany, UK, UAE and KSA.
a&s Adria: With the global PAVA systems market projected to grow from $4.0 billion in 2023 to $9.1 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 8.4%, what do you believe are the key drivers behind this growth? What trends or innovations are currently shaping the PAVA market?
Starzynski: Global spending in the building security industry will increase in the coming years due to technological innovations that increase security and reduce maintenance costs, growing demand (increased wealth and decreased sense of security of residents, especially in large agglomerations) and support from new regulations.
In the case of PAVA systems, the main drivers are the increasingly broader implementation of EN54-16/24 standards in individual countries, both within and outside the EU and the installation of certified PAVA systems in facilities that do not legally require such systems but where end users are willing to increase the facility’s security – e.g., industrial applications, transport (rail/metro/tram), road tunnels, train tunnels, etc.
a&s Adria: Could you briefly present your product portfolio?
Starzynski: Ambient System develops and delivers two product families: PAVA and Security Intercom systems. Both are dedicated to security applications, are based on digital audio technology including specialized hardware and software and are intended for similar applications/projects.
Within the scope of PAVA systems certified for compliance with EN54-16/24, we provide solutions for basically all types of applications – starting from the smallest systems based on miniVES, medium applications based on midiVES, and the largest requiring specific configurations and features based on smartVES. Based on our portfolio, we can handle any type of application, e.g., commercial buildings, healthcare, education, airports, sport facilities, road tunnels, metro/rail, industrial, etc.
The second part of our offer comprises specialized intercoms for security applications. Our products are directed at selected applications where specific features or customizations are required. The main applications that we currently address with our technology are hospitals, cleanrooms, metro/rail, road tunnels, airports and schools (DIN VDE V 0827), prisons, etc. This is a new portfolio that we are launching on the market from 2024 and in which we will be investing intensively in the future.
a&s Adria: What distinguishes the smartVES, miniVES, and midiVES systems from the other sulutions on the market?
Starzynski: We have been developing the PAVA portfolio intensively since 2010 and it is currently the widest available on the market. Additionally, it is built on a single technological platform. Thanks to this, we can build distributed systems of any scale consisting of a mix of miniVES, midiVES and smartVES networked on the basis of a single protocol, operated from a single configuration application and having a single universal software interface for integration with systems such as PSIM, SCADA, etc. Additionally, our system has a number of unique features, algorithms, and configuration options.
a&s Adria: Which product or product group would you consider your flagship or most sold and why?
Starzynski: Our flagship product is smartVES, which was created as an upgrade of MULTIVES by expanding it with a powerful DSP processor and unique algorithms. It is designed to increase building safety through maximum intelligibility of voice messages in acoustically demanding facilities. These algorithms address the problem of voice message intelligibility in difficult acoustic conditions.
The Adaptive Filtration algorithm allows for automatic adjustment of DSP settings to the conditions prevailing in the facility, taking into account the acoustic parameters of the facility itself, the characteristics of the loudspeakers, and the nature and level of background noise – all in online mode. Thanks to this, at any time of message transmission and in any conditions, the system will achieve the maximum possible intelligibility of the message (STI).
The Speech Signal Time Transposition Algorithm (STTA) can change in real time the tempo and duration of messages spoken by the system operator via the system. The STTA algorithm distinguishes the type of voice (male/female), determines the speech tempo and, most importantly, detects and shortens the duration of so-called “stutters” understood as excessive prolongation of the articulation of a selected phoneme.
Thanks to that, smartVES significantly increases the intelligibility of evacuation messages, especially in difficult acoustic conditions – for example, at high noise levels – and is used in applications such as rail/metro, airports, underground garages, stairwells, sport facilities, etc.
a&s Adria: Given the challenges of high reverberation and noise levels in tunnel environments, how does Ambient System ensure optimal speech intelligibility in its Voice Alarm Systems, particularly with specialized tunnel loudspeakers like the S4T (Safety For Tunnel)? Could you explain the role of directional speaker systems, DSP, and individual signal channels in achieving clear audio transmission during emergencies?
Starzynski: Tunnels are characterized by a long Reverberation Time. Due to the acoustically hard properties of tunnel surfaces (highly reflective materials such as concrete, asphalt, tiles, etc.), most of the sound energy will be bounced back as echo. To mitigate this effect and improve speech intelligibility, highly directional loudspeakers must be used, allowing for a reduction in the number of sound reflections from the tunnel walls.
In tunnel PA applications, high-power and highly directional loudspeakers are required, such as the ABT-TNL100 model with a high SPL and high directivity (dispersion angle of only 22⁰, decreasing the sound energy directed towards the tunnel walls), so a single unit can cover a large section of the tunnel (50-70 m).
The tunnel shape itself (being narrow and long) promotes the propagation of sound along its course. As a result, the reverberation effect will be enhanced by sound reaching the listener from distant speakers – delayed by the time it takes the sound wave to travel to a given point.
This delayed sound will decrease speech intelligibility, as it will have an effect on human hearing similar to other random noise. This requires a specific system design. As an individual time delay based on speaker-to-speaker distance must be introduced for each loudspeaker, this forces the designer to power each individual loudspeaker from its own dedicated amplifier channel with an accompanying individual DSP channel.
a&s Adria: Ambient System offers a comprehensive solution that combines an EN 54 certified Voice Alarm System, a fully digital SIP Intercom system, and a visualization and management platform. What are the main benefits of this integrated Security Communication Platform?
Starzynski: The main benefit provided by the Security Communication Platform from Ambient System is the integration of all the above-mentioned technologies. Thanks to this comprehensive approach, the customer receives a solution that is comprehensively tested, stable and equipped with many more features and options than solutions from different manufacturers. Additionally, the implementation of such a solution is much easier, smoother, less expensive and shorter because no additional integration work is required.
a&s Adria: Ambient System’ solutions are compliant with the EN-54 fire safety industry standard. What requirements must be met to obtain EN-54 certification, and what does this certification mean for the end user?
Starzynski: EN 54 is a series of European standards that specify the requirements for fire detection and fire alarm systems. Compliance with these standards ensures the effectiveness and reliability of fire safety equipment. EN 54 is not a single standard but a series of standards covering different components of fire detection and alarm systems. To obtain certification for a specific product, manufacturers must demonstrate that their product meets the requirements outlined in the relevant part of EN 54. Our products are certified for:
- EN 54-4: Power supply equipment
- EN 54-16: Voice alarm control and indicating equipment
- EN 54-24: Loudspeakers for voice alarm and emergency communication systems
For the end user, EN 54 certification is a vital indicator of quality, reliability and regulatory compliance for fire detection and alarm system components. It offers end users the assurance that the installed system is likely to function effectively when needed most, contributing significantly to safety and minimizing potential risks.
a&s Adria: Your projects range from complex installations like refineries, airports, stadiums, tunnels, and shopping centers, to smaller structures like hospitals, train stations, hotels, office buildings, supermarkets, and schools. Can you share some of the latest and most complex case studies you’ve worked on?
Starzynski: In recent years, we have invested a lot of resources in developing our business in transport applications. New products have been designed, including smartVES and Intercoms for this type of application. We have also created customized products and features for a client from Scandinavia, thanks to which we have started delivering our solutions to several hundred railway stations. In Asia, we have delivered systems for 3 metro lines and many airports and in Europe for several road tunnels. This segment of our business currently presents us with the greatest technological and implementation challenges.
a&s Adria: Can you share your thoughts on the current state and future potential of the PAVA market in the Adriatic region? How do you see the market evolving in terms of demand, technology, and key challenges?
Starzynski: In the Adriatic region, the main challenge today is related to legislative issues concerning the requirements for the use of certified PAVA systems in accordance with EN54-16/24. This translates into the still low awareness among investors, architects, consultants and designers. This means that the region still has a high potential for the development of this business and for increasing safety in buildings.
a&s Adria: Will Ambient System be exhibiting at the Adria Security Summit in October in Skopje? What are your expectations for the Adriatic region’s largest conference and exhibition? Are you looking for new partners and distributors?
Starzynski: For several years, we have been actively participating in the Adria Security Summit, where our products can be seen at the stands of our partners in the region. We would like to establish new business relationships and strengthen our partner channels in the region. This year, we will definitely appear with new products open to market opportunities in the region.
