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- When British Standards are withdrawn all installations will need to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
|
