EN 54 Fire detection and alarm systems

EN 54 Fire detection and alarm systems

The EN 54 Fire detection and fire alarm systems is a mandatory standard that specifies requirements and laboratory test for every component of fire detection and fire alarm system and it allows the free movement of construction products between countries of the European Union market.

It was developed and approved by European Committee for Standardization (CEN, French: Comité Européen de Normalisation).

This standard is widely recognized around the world for several countries outside of European Union. It is recognized in Latin American countries, Brasil, African and Asian countries and several islands in the Pacific Ocean.

According to the Construction Product Products Regulation, it is mandatory that Fire Detection and Fire Alarm equipment is certified under EN 54 standard by an authorized certification body.

(TC) Technical Committee CEN/TC72 Automatic fire detection system and fire alarm

It is the TC responsible of developing the normative for fire detection system in the EU and responsible for coordination with committees of each member country to update information and making new normative in fire detection system. The committee of each member country report and depend directly from CEN/TC 72. These committees must inform updates and new normative that is received from CEN/TC72 to responsible office, departments or national organization which has been managed the normative of Fire detection system inside of every member country. These national committees must carry the necessities and new requirement of the industry and user of each country member of Fire detection system to the CEN/TC72 that is the European Committee which is responsible of update and change normative of fire detection system in the European Union.

EN 54 Standard Family Parts

The standard has been published in a number of parts:

·         EN 54 part 1 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Introduction

·         EN 54 part 2 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Control and indicating equipment (Fire alarm control panel)

·         EN 54 part 3 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Fire alarm devices. Sounders

·         EN 54 part 4 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Power supply equipment

·         EN 54 part 5 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Heat detectors. Point detectors

·         EN 54 part 6a Fire detection and fire alarm systems heat detectors; Rate-of-Rise point detectors without a static element.

·         EN 54 part 7 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Smoke detector. Point detectors using scattered light, transmitted light or ionization

·         EN 54 part 8 Components of automatic fire detection systems. Specification for high temperature heat detectors.

·         EN 54 part 9 Components of automatic fire detection systems. Methods of test of sensitivity to fire

·         EN 54 part 10 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Flame detector. Point detectors

·         EN 54 part 11 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Manual call point

·         EN 54 part 12 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Smoke detectors. Line detectors using an optical light beam

·         EN 54 part 13 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Compatibility assessment of system components

·         EN 54 part 14 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Planning, design, installation, commissioning, use and maintenance.

·         EN 54 part 16 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Components for fire alarm voice alarm systems. Voice alarm control and indicating equipment

·         EN 54 part 17 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Short circuit isolators

·         EN 54 part 18 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Input/output devices

·         EN 54 part 20 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Aspirating smoke detector

·         EN 54 part 21 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Alarm transmission and fault warning routing equipment

·         EN 54 part 22 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Line type heat detectors

·         EN 54 part 23 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Fire alarm devices. Visual alarms

·         EN 54 part 24 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Voice alarms - Loudspeakers

·         EN 54 part 25 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Components using radio links and system requirements

·         EN 54 part 26 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Point fire detectors using Carbon Monoxide sensors

·         EN 54 part 27 Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Duct smoke detectors.

Fire Alarm Manual Call Points

Fire Alarm Manual Call Points

Most Commercial and Industrial Fire Alarm Systems installed haveing Call Point units or Manual call point (MCP) or Manual Pull station as part of the system. I also commissioned one/two addressable fire detection system where maximum is Manual call station/pull station and very less Detectors. These units are often the most visual indication of a fire alarm system and are instantly recognizable.

Manual Call Points (MCPs) are referred to or referenced by different names in various regions worldwide like Break Glass Units (BGs), Pull Stations, Push Buttons, Alarm Points, etc.

When should a Manual Call Point be used? In the event of a fire in a building; or if there is no automatic detection activated by the installed heat & smoke detection or any other detectors; or if you discover the fire personally and if there is an emergency condition – you need to activate the Manual Call Point to trigger the Fire Detection And Alarm System (FDAS) in the building so that the system initiates the necessary notification devices and sends signals to many other third party systems (Voice Evacuation, Emergency Lighting, Smoke Control, Lifts, etc.) in the building.

Introduction to Call Points

In order to comply with BS EN 54-11 (The European / British Standard referring to manual call points) fire alarm call points should be Red.  Most call points are operated by breaking a frangible glass element which operates a micro-switch inside the call point (although some modern call points do now have plastic resettable elements). There are a variety of different call point manufacturers and types of call points, however within a single building it is good practice to use call points similar in appearance to avoid confusion. Call Points are available for Conventional / Non-addressable Fire Alarm Systems, Analogue Addressable Fire Alarm Systems, Wireless Fire Alarm System and Two-Wire Fire Alarm Systems.  There are also specialist call points available for different applications such as weatherproof / waterproof / Explosion proof call points and call points operated by a key switch instead of an element. We will discuss one by one in another post.

🔴 Manual Call Point (MCP)
✔ Commonly used term in the UK, Europe, Middle East, and UAE
✔ Typically incorporates a break-glass or resettable element
✔ Allows manual activation of the fire alarm during an emergency
✔ Governed by EN 54 and adopted in the UAE Fire & Life Safety Code


🔴 Manual Pull Station
✔ Common term used in NFPA / North American standards; typically UL-listed
✔ Operated by pulling a lever or handle
✔ Performs the same function as a Manual Call Point
✔ Covered under NFPA 72 and acceptable under the UAE Fire & Life Safety Code


🔴 Break Glass Unit
✔ Describes the activation mechanism, not the system function
✔ Can form part of a Manual Call Point
✔ Requires breaking a glass or frangible element to operate
✔ Modern systems often use resettable (non-breakable) elements

Where to Position Call Points?

BS5839 recommends that call points should be located on all final exits, all storey exits i.e. entrances to stairwells and also consideration should be taken to locating call point units near to any high risks or special hazards (e.g. in Kitchens or Spray Booths etc.).

Call points should be distributed in a building so that no one need travel any more than 45 meters to reach their nearest call point.  This distance is measured against the actual route a person would follow taking into account locations of walls, partitions and fixings.  For high risk areas and special hazards as mentioned above a person should have to travel no more than 25 meters to reach their nearest manual call point taking into account fixtures and fittings.

In food preparation areas it is advisable to install call points with a plastic element rather than the glass element as the possibility of broken glass in these areas must be avoided.

For fully manned shops or certain other premises such as banks and bars for example where the possibility of malicious operation is high, the public may not have access to manual call points, but the staff have been provided concealed manual call points.  The use of concealed call points is always decided in consultation with fire authorities and is subject to a variation from BS5839.

The mounting height of call points should be 1.4 meters +/-0.2m above the floor level and call points should project by 15mm from the wall (i.e. not completely flush), this allows the call point to be seen from the side.  Where disabled people are expected to operate call points, it can be agreed with consultation to install the call points at a lower height.  The agreed height should be documented on the fire alarm certificates.

Manual Call Points should be located on escape routes and, in particular, at all storey exits and all exits to open air (whether or not the exits are specified fire exits), so that it is impossible to leave the storey or the building without passing a manual call point.

Call Points whether they are conventional or addressable come is two types; flush and surface mounted.  So what is the diffence between the two?

Flush Mounted Call Points

Flush mounted call points are designed to be mounted on a wall where the cables to the call point are concealed within the fabric of the wall.  These call points are supplied without a backbox.  The flush mounted call points give a very neat looking installation when positioned correctly in place.  A flush mounted call point would generally be used in the construction of new buildings and extensive refurbishments.

Surface Mounted Call Points

Surface Mounted Call Points are designed to be positioned directly onto a wall using a backbox.  The backbox allows space behind the call point unit to terminate the cables.  These types of call points are generally used in industrial applications where the finished look is not as important as in public areas.

Siting of Manual Call Points

A manual call point is often the most recognizable component of a fire alarm system.  It is usually the most visible part of the system and the look of the call point is iconic and synonomous with fire safety.

All manual call points which make up a fire alarm system, should comply to BS EN54-11 and be single action type A versions.

When carrying out a fire alarm system design the manual call point should be sited as follows:-

• On all storey exits and all exits to open air irrespective of whether they are designated fire exits or not.
• Nobody should have to travel more than 45 metres within the building to reach a manual call point, except if the exit routes are undefined in which case the direct line distance should not exceed 30 metres.
• The above distances should be reduced to 25 and 16 metres respectively, if there are persons with limited mobility or there is a likelihood of rapid fire development.
• A manual call point should be positioned in all areas of high fire risk, such as kitchens for example.
• Where phased evacuations are planned, a manual call point needs to be sited on all exits from a particular zone.
• Manual Call Points should be positioned 1.4 metres + or - 200mm above the floor.
• Manual Call Points with protective hinged covers for whatever reason should be listed as a variation from the recommendations of BS5839 on the fire alarm system certification.

How to Activate a Manual Call Point? There are different types of manual call points.
1. Break Glass Unit – Break the glass, and then the signal will be sent to the system
2. Pull Station – Pull the lever, and then the signal will be sent to the system
3. Break Glass with Double Action cover – Lift the cover and break the Glass
4. Pull Station with double action cover – Lift the cover and pull the lever
5. Push Button type – Push the button, and the signal will be sent to the system

There are many different types; most often, when installed for FDAS, they are installed in red housing or casing for easy identification; however, in some jurisdictions, these can be other colours for architectural aesthetical purposes. It is always important to check with the authority having jurisdiction and to ensure the MCPs are readily recognisable, easily identified and signed as per the local guidelines and regulations.

Example of where to site manual call points:-

Please Note:- In order to comply with the requirements of building regulations approved document M, which requires electrical switches including manual call points to be mounted at between 1 meter + or - 200mm on wheelchair access routes, these should be listed as a variation on the certificates as BS requires manual call points to be mounted at 1.4 meters high + or - 200mm.

Call Point Key Guide

Many modern fire alarm call points in the UK are actually manufactured by one company.  This company is KAC.  This means that the call point keys produced by KAC can be used on several of the modern call points supplied by the UK's leading manual call point suppliers.

Hochiki, Honeywell, Notifire, Apollo, Apollo XP95, Apollo Discovery, Apollo Explorer, Electro Detectors and many other manufacturers use the KAC type call point.  This means that the same KAC call point key can be used on call points supplied by these companies. 

In the 2012 edition of NFPA 72®, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, Chapter 14 specifies that manual fire alarm boxes should be tested annually. “Operate manual fire alarm boxes per the manufacturer’s published instructions,” the code says. “Test both key-operated pre-signal and general alarm manual fire alarm boxes.” Many of the discussion group comments focused on what the manufacturer’s instructions would require. 

One typical manufacturer of manual fire alarm boxes states the following in its installation and operating Instructions: “Operation—To activate a single-action pull station, simply pull down the handle. To activate dual-action stations, push in, then pull down the handle.” Notice that the instructions make repeated reference to pulling down the handle. This manufacturer offers two styles of manual fire alarm boxes, single-action and double-action, and provides the operating instructions for each. Owner representatives or service technicians in the field who believe that they may test the manual fire alarm box by using a key—whether an actual key or Allen wrench—without actually pulling down the handle as described above must understand that such action does not constitute a code-compliant test.

As per UAE Fire and Life Safety Code:

🔥 The manual call points shall be used only for fire alarm initiation. In addition, all manual call points within an occupancy shall be of similar design.

🔥 Distribution of the manual call points should be such that the travel distance should not be more than 61m to reach the nearest manual call point.

🔥 These figures are to be reduced to 25m and 16m in limited mobility areas and where processes of the area result in a likelihood of rapid-fire development.

🔥 A Manual Call Point shall be installed within 1.5 m from the exit door opening.

🔥 The manual call points shall be installed generally at the height of 1.2 m, above floor level, and in plain, accessible, well-lit, and free-hindrances places.

If you would like to discuss further with us on MCPs and FDAS, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our technical experts.

Fire Exit Door Alarm

Fire Exit Door Alarm

Are you wondering what hardware you should fit to your emergency exit doors?

In many buildings there is often unauthorised use of Fire Exit Doors and Emergency Exit Doors.  The Safety Centre now has a product in it's portfolio which is designed to reduce the chances of unauthorised use of these doors.

What the law says

In the Regulatory Fire Safety Order 2005, article 14 covers “Emergency Routes and Exits,” and states that, “In the event of danger, it must be possible for persons to evacuate the premises as quickly and safely as possible”.

Depending on circumstances, this normally involves emergency doors opening in the direction of escape, no sliding or revolving doors used as emergency exits, and emergency doors not being locked or fastened in a manner that they cannot be easily and immediately opened.

The need for outward opening doors

Official guidance to the Communities and Local Government department recommends that that all doors on escape routes should open in the direction of escape, but states that this is particularly important if more than 60 people use them or they provide an exit from a high fire risk area.

Push bars and pads

Security fittings on fire doors should be thought of as a hierarchy:

·         Nothing at all — the safest option;

·         Panic bar/ pad;

·         Emergency exit devices (the smaller pads and levers);

·         Turn knob, single bolt, or other simply operated, single device;

·         Glass bolt.

In buildings used by the general public, the usual hardware on final exits is a horizontal push pad or bar, unless the door is completely free-moving, such as the front door (once unlocked).

For this category of occupant, doors need to be operated easily and obviously. If there are more than 60 persons likely to use an exit, and that group includes those unfamiliar with the building, a degree of panic must be assumed. In this case, panic bars are essential. These fittings are long horizontal bars or pads which operate by body pressure. The relevant standard is BS EN 1125 — “Panic exit devices operated by a horizontal bar”.

There’s an alternative type of a smaller push pad or lever, which seems to be mistakenly put onto doors for use by the public. These “emergency exit devices” conform to BS EN 179 instead, and are generally not suitable as more force is needed to operate them, i.e. there needs to be a deliberate action, not just pressure against the device. These may be selected for doors to be used by staff, the benefit being that along with higher operating forces, there is the opportunity for higher security levels.

Both BS EN 1125 and BS EN 179 include specific tests depending on whether the device is intended for single or double door use. One approved for single door application might not work effectively on double doors, so it’s important that the one used is suitable for the circumstances.

Locking devices

BS9999:2008, “Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings,” gives further advice on the subject of locking. It states that in general, doors on escape routes shouldn’t be fitted with locks, latches, or bolts unless these are simple fastening, which can readily be operated. The operation of the fastenings should be “readily apparent without the use of a key and without having to manipulate more than one mechanism.”

Although it’s preferable not to fit any secondary locking devices to fire exits, it’s accepted that security needs may make it a necessity.

Where this is the case, the old glass box with the key in it is generally discouraged, even where the door is for use by a small number of staff. If you feel it’s the only way, and can be justified in the risk assessment, make sure there’s a process for regularly checking that the key is present.

A simple step up from this is to fit a lock that needs a key on the outside, but which is operated on the inside of the door by simply turning a knob. These can then be labelled “turn to exit,” if instructions are needed.

Glass bolts can be useful for discouraging casual use of a route — where a door passes through the premises of an adjoining occupier. To operate these, the glass tube is smashed with a hammer, allowing a bolt to be slid across. Staff will need training to understand how to use these, and encouragement to use the exits even if they think it’s a drill or false alarm. Bear in mind that this shouldn’t be fitted as an additional device — a person escaping through the door should not have to “manipulate more than one mechanism.” In general, they tend to be plagued by abuse, so they have limited application.

Electromechanical and electromagnetic locks (EM Lock) can be fitted, which can be released manually or automatically. However, these should be set up to be overridden by the operation of a push bar, loss of power, and/or the activation of the fire warning or detection system.

Types of Smoke Detector

Five types of Smoke Detector

What is smoke?

Smoke is the collection of airborne solid and liquid particulates and gases emitted when a material undergoes combustion, mixed with the quantity of air that is mixed into the particulate mass.

Smoke particulates are generally grouped in three particle sizes. Depending on particle size, smoke can be visible or invisible to the naked eye.

The five types of smoke detector...

1. Ionization smoke detector...

An Ionization smoke detector consists of the following main components;

1. a radioactive source, usually Americium-241 that emits alpha particles
2. a ionization chamber, an air-filled space between two electrodes

The alpha particles pass through the ionization chamber, and permit a small, constant electric current between the electrodes.

Smoke particles that enter the chamber absorbs the alpha particles, which interrupts the electric current, activating an alarm.

2. Photo-electric smoke detector...

An photo-electric smoke detector is a scattered light sensor or nephelometer, that consists of the following main components;

1. a light source
2. a lens to focus light into a projected beam
3. a sensor at an angle to the beam as a light sensor

In the absence of smoke, light passes in front of the sensor in a straight line.

When smoke enters the optical chamber across the path of the light beam, some light is scattered by the smoke particles, directing it at the sensor and thus triggering the alarm.

3. Projected beam smoke detector...

An projected beam optical smoke detector operates on the principle of light obscuration and comprises;

1. A projected beam transmitter & lens
2. A light receiver
3. A light reflector (not in all cases)

The light transmitter emits an invisible beam of light that is received by a receiver in a normal condition.

The receiver is calibrated to a preset sensitivity level based on a percentage of total obscuration. When smoke obscures the beam, an alarm signal is activated.

4. Aspirating smoke detector...

An aspirating smoke detector is a very sensitive light sensor or nephelometer, that works by actively drawing a sample of air and other contaminates through a pipe network into a sensing chamber and consists of the following main components;

1. a network of small-bore pipes
2. a particulate filter
3. a sensing chamber
4. a focused light source
5. a sensitive light receiver

When smoke enters the sensing chamber across the path of the light beam, some light is scattered or obscured by the smoke particles, which is detected by the sensor.

The output is analogue and can trigger multiple alarms.

5. Video smoke detection...

Video Smoke Detection (VSD) is based on the computer analysis of video images provided by standard video (CCTV) cameras.

A video smoke detection system comprises the following components;

1. one or more video cameras
2. a computer
3. software to analyses the video signal

The computer uses specialised software to identify the unique motion and pattern of smoke. This unique signal when identified triggers an alarm.