Euro standards in close-up

On the first of September this year new European Standards (ENs) will replace the current British Standards. Installers of intruder alarms need to know what differences these standards make over the existing British Standards. Over the next few months we will be providing articles which explain the sections of the new European Standards, what they mean and what they require. We hope this will provide readers of Security Installer with an insight and better understanding for their implementation.

(From April the SSAIB (Security Systems & Alarms Inspection Board) will be running regular training seminars around the country on EN50131 standards and installers interested in attending the courses should ring 0191 296 3242.)

European Standards remove the barriers to trade and provide a common set of standards for Europe as a whole. A European technical committee TC79 has been developing the series of standards, which we currently have, and work still continues to complete the set.

A structured standard
The significant difference between EN50131 and BS4737 is that the EN is a 'Structured' standard covering

• Grading of systems
  
• Classification of equipment
  ... and it is
  
• Risk based

Taking this into account, EN50131 provides a structured approach for:

• Assessment of risk
  
• Technical survey
  
• System design
  
• Installation of a system in accordance with agreed specification
  
• Installation of equipment in accordance with manufacturers recommendations

The EN standards consist of a number of sections, these are:
EN 50131-1 General Requirements
EN 50131-2 Detectors
EN 50131-3 Control Equipment
EN 50131-4 Warning Devices
EN 50131-5 Interconnections
EN 50131-6 Power Supplies
EN 50131-7 Application Guide Lines
EN50136 -1 Alarm Transmission System

Graded according to risk
One of the fundamental differences between the current BS standards and the new EN standards is the way in which systems will be designed. European Standards will require system designs to be based on risk. To aid this, intruder alarm systems installed in buildings will be graded.

The grade of system, of which there are four, will take into account the:

• Risk level of the premises
  
• Contents value
  
• Typical knowledge intruders might be expected to have

The grading of a system based on the risk assessment conducted will determine the extent of the system, signalling and tamper security, ie:

Extent of the system

• Openings in perimeter
  
• Movement detection
  
• Perimeter detection
  
• Point detection
  Signalling
  
• Audible
  
• Transmission
  Tamper security
  This is mostly an equipment issue

System grades are categorised as:
Grade 1. Low risk system where intruders are expected to have little knowledge of intruder alarm systems and be restricted to a limited range of easily available tools.

Grade 2. Low to medium risk system where intruders are expected to have a limited know-ledge of intruder alarm systems and the use of a general range of tools and portable instruments.

Grade 3. Medium to high-risk system where intruders are expected to be conversant with intruder alarm systems and have a comprehensive range of tools and portable electronic equipment.

Grade 4. High-risk system where security takes precedence over all other factors. Intruders are expected to have the ability or recourse to plan an intrusion in detail and have a full range of equipment, including means of substitution of vital components in the intruder alarm system.

Conducting a structured Risk Analysis will form a fundamental part of a survey … the risk assessment will form the basis of the system proposal

Risk analysis needed
Conducting a structured Risk Analysis will form a fundamental part of a survey. The risk assessment will form the basis of the system proposal because, based on this information, the best system design with adequate detection can be offered to the client. A risk analysis should consider all the possible risks at the premises. There is no particular method for conducting it.

It is necessary, however, to ensure that all the risks are considered and the system designed is suitable to protect that risk.

• As well as the grading of systems there will also be classification of equipment.
  
• The classification of equipment will determine where devices are installed.

This will be based on the environmental performance of devices which are classified as follows:
Class 1: Indoors controlled temperature. For general use in a residential or commercial premises where temperature is maintained.

Class 2: Indoors uncontrolled. For use in hallways, corridors or where condensation occurs on windows, and in unheated storage areas or property where heating is intermittent.

Class 3: Outdoors sheltered. For use outdoors where the components are not fully exposed to the weather.

Class 4: Outdoors general. For use outdoors where components are fully exposed to weather.

The following two documents are fundamental in the EN 50131 series.
Firstly the EN 50131-1 is the General Requirements document. This specifies the "system requirements", similar to BS4737. It states what the system should consist of and how it should operate.

Take heart … if you are familiar with British Standards you will have little trouble in getting to grips with the new EN standards

This document has 11 main sections covering:

• System attributes
  
• System components
  
• Security grading
  
• Environmental classification
  
• Functional requirements
  
• Power supply
  
• Functional reliability
  
• Environmental requirements
  
• Electrical safety
  
• Documentation
  
• Marking and identification.

Secondly is the Application Guidelines document. The guidelines are intended to provide advice relating to the design, installation, operation and maintenance of alarm systems.

In this document there are seven main sections covering:

• System design installation and planning
  
• System installation
  
• Inspection test, commissioning and acceptance
  
• Documentation and records
  
• Operation
  
• Maintenance

Qualifications will be necessary
Many companies should already be operating and have implemented these typical working practices based on the procedures that you have in place and that of your inspectorate.

One of the most interesting sections is the inclusion of qualifications.

British Standards do not require a person to hold an appropriate qualification to conduct risk assessments and design, install, maintain or repair. The new European standards do, however, stipulate the necessity of qualifications. This means that anyone carrying out any of these functions must hold an appropriate qualification.

Over the coming months we will look at and explain the documents listed at the beginning of this article so you will have the chance to find out what they all consist of and how they will affect you … whether surveying, installing, commissioning or maintaining systems.

  In the next article we shall look at the standards starting with EN 50131-1 General Requirements and take a close look at its content.