HÖRMANN Warning Systems is upgrading traditional sirens into multifunctional information and warning platforms

For decades, sirens have been among the most reliable warning devices in civil protection. Whether natural disasters, major fires, industrial accidents or civil emergencies – hardly any other warning medium reaches people so quickly and comprehensively. However, the demands placed on modern warning systems have changed. Today, it is no longer enough simply to sound the alarm. Citizens expect specific information about what has happened and how they should respond.

With new technologies, the traditional siren is therefore increasingly evolving into an intelligent component of networked warning infrastructures. At INTERSCHUTZ 2026, HÖRMANN Warnsysteme will present the new CCCS3i platform – a solution that not only controls sirens but also transforms them into multifunctional information and communication systems.

A warning alone is no longer enough

Recent years have shown that simply sounding an alarm is often only the first step in successful crisis communication. Floods, forest fires, extreme weather events and industrial accidents have made it clear that, in addition to a warning, people need, above all, specific instructions on how to act.

Traditional siren signals can attract attention, but do not provide any information about the nature and extent of the danger. Modern warning concepts therefore increasingly rely on a combination of different communication channels. Sirens, warning apps, cell broadcast, digital display systems and social media are intended to work together to form the most robust warning network possible.

HÖRMANN is pursuing an approach that adds an additional function to the siren itself: direct voice communication.

From alerting to informing

One of the key innovations of the new CCCS3i platform is the integration of text-to-speech technology. This enables emergency services and control centres to transmit specific voice instructions to individual or multiple sirens in addition to the siren signal.

The advantage is clear. An alarm can be immediately followed by clear instructions. In the event of a hazardous substance leak, for example, the instruction might be to keep windows and doors closed and not to leave the building. In the event of flooding, evacuation instructions or information on assembly points could be transmitted.

This closes a gap that previously existed between warning and information. The siren is transformed from a mere signal transmitter into an active communication medium.

Particularly in situations where mobile networks are overloaded or digital communication channels fail, this capability can make a significant contribution to crisis management.

Critical infrastructure requires resilient systems

The further development of siren technology is taking place against a backdrop of increasing demands on the resilience of critical infrastructure. Warning systems must function even under difficult conditions – such as during power cuts, natural disasters or cyberattacks.

Electronic sirens now feature integrated battery systems and can optionally be supplemented with solar technology. This ensures they remain operational even during prolonged power cuts.

The new CCCS3i platform has been specifically developed for use in critical environments. It supports warning systems of all sizes – from individual installations in industrial parks to regional or nationwide warning networks comprising several thousand sirens.

Particular emphasis is placed on scalability and reliability. Systems can be expanded in stages and existing control centre solutions migrated to the new platform without having to completely replace existing infrastructure.

Sensors as an early warning system

The potential integration of sensors takes this a step further. Modern warning systems are increasingly evolving into intelligent networks that can not only communicate dangers but also detect them.

A wide variety of sensors can be connected via the MQTT communication standard. These include, for example:

• weather stations,
• water level sensors,
• fire detectors,
• shock and vibration sensors,
• environmental and air quality sensors.

This creates the possibility of triggering warnings automatically or alerting emergency services at an early stage to critical developments.

Particularly in the event of flooding or extreme weather conditions, automated sensor information can save valuable time. The response time between hazard detection and the raising of the alarm is significantly reduced.

The KriKom project: a glimpse into the future

HÖRMANN is demonstrating how such concepts might work in practice as part of the KriKom project. The initiative connects sirens with various sensors and digital evaluation platforms.

The siren presented at INTERSCHUTZ is equipped, among other things, with ultrasonic sensors for measuring water levels, a multi-sensor for recording environmental data, and an emergency button. The recorded data is visualised on a cloud platform and can be used to assess the situation.

This creates a new understanding of warning infrastructure: the siren becomes not only a device for issuing warnings, but also a decentralised sensor node within a networked crisis management system.

Usability as a key to success

Alongside technical performance, ease of use is becoming increasingly important. Complex systems lose their value if they cannot be operated quickly and reliably when needed.

The CCCS3i platform therefore features a clear user interface with a graphical status display. Colour-coded symbols provide those in charge with a quick overview of the status of individual sirens or entire warning networks. Role-based authorisation concepts also ensure that responsibilities can be clearly defined.

This offers particular advantages in terms of operation, maintenance and crisis management for local authorities, operators of critical infrastructure and industrial companies.

Warning systems are becoming information systems

The development of modern siren technology exemplifies how the requirements for civil protection are changing. Whilst the focus used to be on alerting the public, today the emphasis is on information provision, networking and automation.

The combination of resilient warning technology, integrated sensor systems and direct voice communication opens up new possibilities for the protection of the public, infrastructure and businesses. Sirens are thus becoming intelligent hubs within networked security architectures.

Solutions such as the CCCS3i platform demonstrate that the siren has lost none of its significance in the digital age. On the contrary: by combining warning, information and sensor data collection, it is evolving into a central component of modern crisis and hazard communication.