More than 15 years after it debuted, the EN54 standard series for fire alarm systems continues to spell confusion for manufacturers and installers. David Davies ponders regularly voiced questions about the latest additions to the standards and addresses the future of the EN54 ‘family’
[KEY POINTS]
The influence of EN54-16 and -24 is not yet consistent because of variations in the
implementation dates of individual nations’ laws across Europe
IN THE FRANKLY unlikely event that it has escaped the attention of any Installation readers, EN54 is the European fire safety standard incorporating detailed requirements for all component parts of fire alarm and voice alarm (VA) systems. Since debuting in December 1996, the EN54 standard ‘family’ has grown to encompass more than 30 parts with far-reaching implications for specifiers, end-users and, in particular, manufacturers.
Much of the industry debate in recent years has revolved around Parts 16 and 24. The primary impetus behind these latest additions was the Construction Product
EN54-16 and -24 are due to be reviewed from January 2013 as part of the typical five-year review process for standards
The forthcoming EN54-32 will address systems’ minimum performance criteria, but will not constitute a standard in its own right
Directive (CPD), requiring all projects to employ products that have been ‘type tested’ according to specified standards for efficiency or interoperability. Taking effect in April 2011, the CPD means that every building must have minimum prevention and protection from risks, and where an emergency arises, a method of alarm and escape to minimise the risk to people. Underlining the rapid pace of developments in this area, the CPD will be superseded in 2013 by the CPR (Construction Product Regulations).
Published in 2008, EN54-16
addresses components for fire alarm/voice alarm systems and VACIE (voice
alarm control and indicating equipment). Mirroring the requirement for all fire alarm systems to be accredited by an approved testing house prior to sale, Part 16 means that VA systems now have to undergo a similarly rigorous process of assessment. Approved simultaneously, EN54-24 stipulates requirements, test methods and robustness of voice alarm loudspeakers, along with their “performance under climatic and
mechanical conditions which are likely to occur in the service environment”. It would be no
understatement to say that the arrival of 16/24 has attracted considerable
Tannoy VQ loudspeakers are at the heart of a combined PA-VA system at the Coop Arena in Luleå in the north of Sweden
confusion in the industry – from concerns about legal imperatives to actual dates of implementation. With these issues in mind, Installation decided it was high time to identify the primary areas of enduring doubt and go in search of answers from expert industry observers.
‘The standards are weakening
the system’ Steve Jones, Steve Jones Associates
1) When did EN54-16 and -24 actually come into effect? EN54-16 and EN54-24 were approved in early 2008, but were accompanied by a two-year ‘crossover period’ (subsequently extended to three) that allowed manufacturers and test houses to undertake the necessary changes. The upshot is that this particular