Instructions for Testing Your Public Address System

Pre-inspection and Testing at Elementary Schools

1. Building services, security cluster coordinators, and administration should lay out speaker locations on the school’s floor plan. Click here to view a sample floor plan (MCPS Google login required).
2. Play music from the front-end PA system and have security verify that the speakers are operational in corridors, large gathering spaces, and outside. 
3. Place a checkmark on the location of the floor plan if the speaker is operational; place an X on the location if the speaker is not functioning correctly. This information is important when it comes to repairs.
4. Teachers should be in their rooms during the test to verify they have heard the music. 
5. After the test, main office staff members should call every classroom/office to verify that the teacher heard the music. 
6. Teachers should use the call button to call the main office to confirm that they heard the test.  
7. Main office staff should mark the floor plan drawing confirming that the test was successful, that the callback button in the room/office is operational, and that the room number is correctly identified on the front-end PA system.
8. Note any issues or system malfunctions on the floor plan.

Pre-inspection and Testing at Secondary Schools

1. Security and administration should lay out speaker locations on the school’s floor plan. Click here to view a sample floor plan (MCPS Google login required).
2. Play music from the front-end PA system and have security verify that the speakers are operational in corridors, large gathering spaces, and outside. 
3. Place a checkmark on the location of the floor plan if the speaker is operational; place an X on the location if the speaker is not functioning correctly. This information is important when it comes to repairs.
4. Teachers should be in their rooms during the test to verify they have heard the music. 
5. After the test, main office staff members should call every classroom/office to verify that the teacher heard the music. 
6. Teachers should use the call button to call back to the main office to confirm that they heard the test. 
7. Main office staff should mark the floor plan drawing confirming that the test was successful, that the callback button in the room/office is operational, and that the room number is correctly identified on the front-end PA system.
8. Note any issues or system malfunctions on the floor plan.

Reporting PA System Deficiencies

If your test indicates that your PA system needs repair, please submit a service request using one of the following methods:

• Have your BSM/BSAM submit a request via Asset Essentials, 
• Call 240-740-2300 and make a verbal request, 
• Send an email to DFMcallcenter@mcpsmd.org, or
• Complete the Google Form (MCPS Google login required).

Remember to provide the electronics technician with the floor plan that identifies the room, area, or call button that is not functioning properly.