UK installers currently operate to British Standards for the installation of
intruder alarm systems. Soon these standards will be incorporated into a pan-European
standard known as EN50131. Whilst many procedures remain the same there are some
key changes and new additions which will have to be adhered to. An important point
is that while European Norms are accepted by British Standards, the reverse is not
true. You can prepare for the withdrawal of British Standards by choosing to install
to EN50131 standards now. ENs are adopted as BS’s rather as accepted by BS
(hence the number BS EN 50131-1)
European Norms demand an increase in the level of panel power supply along with
levels of grading. In other words, the system specifier (usually the insurer) will
grade the premises according to risk, by location and content, and he will have
to ensure that the necessary equipment is specified.
Simple Example
GRADE 1: 12 hours standby LOW RISK: Rural Village, House
GRADE 2: 12 hours standby MEDIUM RISK: Rural Town, Shop
GRADE 3: 60* hours standby HIGH RISK: Town, Off Licence
GRADE 4: 60* hours standby VERY HIGH RISK: Inner city, Jeweller
*30 Hours if fitted with Communication
How Does This Affect The Installer?
- When British Standards are withdrawn all installations will need to meet with the
European Norms.
- You must register an interest with your Inspectorate to install to the EN50131 standard.
- Power Supply on panels must meet EN50131-4 i.e. Grades 1&2 = 12 hours, Grades
3&4 = 60 hours (as opposed to BS4737 = 8 hours!)
- Grade 1 requires only 1 site visit per annum, Grades 2&3 require 2 visits per
annum or 1 visit and 1 by remote diagnostics and Grade 4 (the equivalent to BS7042)
requires 2 site visits per annum
- All systems will be user reset – engineer reset will only apply to an alarm
condition caused by a tamper
- 45 seconds will be the maximum to complete un-setting procedure
- End Users are now aware of EN50131 and will request it
Benefits To The Installer
- Remote diagnostics can be used to highlight, pinpoint and rectify any potential
fault before it happens
- Panels meet a much higher specification – increasing system integrity
- Increased panel power supply means fewer false alarms
- Pre-empts the time when the European standards do become mandatory
- Maintenance by remote diagnostics will halve service overheads