Delayed
outputs - EN54 part 2 requirements
We
have received a number of comments regarding
the mode of operation of panels configured
with delays to outputs and would therefore
like to clarify the requirements of the European
Standard EN54-2.
If
a fire alarm control panel may be configured
to have delays to outputs (including sounders),
for fire verification purposes, then the requirements
of Clause 7.11 of EN54-2 must be met. Clause
7.11 is an “option with requirements”,
which means that the control panel does not
need to have the delay to outputs to meet
the core requirements of EN54-2. However,
if the manufacturer states that the panel
does have this facility, then the requirements
of 7.11 must be met.
Clause
7.11 of EN54-2 specifies which outputs may
be delayed and maximum delay times. It also
states that the delays shall be configured
at access level 3 and that a facility to override
the delays shall be provided
Clause
7.11 also refers to another clause (9.4.2.c)
in the standard. Clause 9 refers to the Disabled
Condition and gives the general requirements
for disablements, including the general indication
requirements (General Disablement indication).
Clause 9.4.2.c refers to the specific disablement
requirements for delays and states that it
shall be possible to independently disable
and re-enable the immediate actioning of outputs,
to provide a delay facility in accordance
with the requirements of 7.11.
In
operational terms, to meet these requirements
the panel shall -
| · |
Have
the facility to configure delays at access
level 3 (at engineer / commissioning level) |
| · |
Have
the facility to override delays, by operation
of a call point |
| · |
Have
the facility to select the delay facility
at access level 2 (by means of disablement
of the immediate response) |
| · |
Have
a General Disablement indication and another
indication (Delay On) which shall remain
visible in a fire condition |
The
ability for any responsible user (at Access
Level 2) to select whether delays are active
is a requirement for some European Member
countries. However the UK market tends not
to allow the responsible user to select the
delay facility and the delay facility is always
active.
This means that when systems are configured
with delays and the delays are active, there
will always be a disablement active on the
Fire Control panel. In addition, the Delay
On indicator will be illuminated.
An
equally important item to note is that if
a customer clears all active disablements
on a control panel configured with delays,
then all outputs will operate immediately.
Panel operation training is important in these
systems to ensure that the disablement is
not accidentally cleared.
As
the Kentec control panels are certified by
BSI and conform to the relevant product standard,
we must meet the requirements of the standard
fully. This will apply to any approved panel
that is certified to meet the delay facility
requirements.
The
Sigma CP and Sigma XT control panels support
the output delay facility and this facility
is selected using the “Ad” user
menu.
The EN54-2 approved (Kitemarked) Syncro control
panels also support the output delay facility
and this is selected using the “Disable
Immediate output response” menu option.
The
requirements of delays to outputs have been
reviewed in Amendment 1 of EN54-2. When this
standard is released, it will still be possible
to select whether delays are active or not
by a responsible user, but they will not be
shown as a disablement condition.
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Sigma CP
Sigma XT
