What is BS EN 50130-5 – Alarm systems about?
BS EN 50130-5 is a European standard that discusses the environmental test methods for alarm systems. Security alarms used in residential, commercial, industrial, and military properties protect against burglary (theft) or property damage, as well as personal protection against intruders.
BS EN 50130-5 specifies environmental test methods to be used for testing the system components of the following alarm systems, intended for use in and around buildings:
- Intruder alarm systems
- Hold-up alarm systems
- Social alarm systems
- CCTV systems, for security applications
- Access control systems, for security applications
- Alarm transmission systems.
BS EN 50130-5 specifies three equipment classes (fixed, movable & portable equipment) and four environmental classes.
Note: BS EN 50130-5 does not specify:
- The requirements or performance criteria to be applied, which should be specified in the relevant product standard
- Special tests only applicable to a particular device (e.g., the effects of turbulent air draughts on ultrasonic movement detectors)
- Basic safety requirements, such as protection against electrical shocks, unsafe operation, insulation coordination and related dielectric tests
- Tests relating to deliberate acts of damage or tampering.
Who is BS EN 50130-5 – Alarm systems for?
BS EN 50130-5 on alarm systems for environmental test methods applies to:
- Manufacturer of alarm systems
- Quality testing personnel
- Suppliers and retailers of alarm system products
Why should you use BS EN 50130-5 – Alarm systems?
Home protection and family safety are the primary purposes of a home security system. While this includes detecting burglary, a security system also detects several other threats, including smoke, fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, and water damage.
BS EN 50130-5 specifies to you the tests and severities which is to be used for each of the following environmental classes:
- Indoor but restricted to residential/office environment
- Indoor in general
- Outdoor but sheltered from direct rain and sunshine, or indoor with extreme environmental conditions
- Outdoor in general
BS EN 50130-5 provides you with guidance on dry heat operation in which the objective of the test is to demonstrate the ability of the equipment to function correctly at high ambient temperatures, which may occur for short periods in the anticipated service environment. 'Free air' conditions are simulated for heat-dissipating specimens to allow for self-heating effects.
With obedience and compliance to BS EN 50130-5, you can achieve precision in terms of product functionality and ensure that the product consistently meets and exceed quality expectations.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 50130-5:2011 supersedes BS EN 50130-5:1999, which is withdrawn. It includes:
- Updating of the referenced base standards to the latest editions, this updating has caused changes therefore in the test methods used in several clauses
- Clauses 8 and 9 have had changes made to the requirements in class IV limits
- Clause 27 was removed.
