ISO 7240-13:2020

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 7240-13
Second edition
2020-09
Fire detection and alarm systems —
Part 13:
Compatibility assessment of system
components
Systèmes de détection et d'alarme d'incendie —
Partie 13: Estimation de la compatibilité des composants d'un système
Reference number
ISO 7240-13:2020(E)
©
ISO 2020

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ISO 7240-13:2020(E)

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ISO 7240-13:2020(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 2
3.1 Definitions . 2
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 3
4 Requirements . 3
4.1 Conformance . 3
4.2 General system requirements . 4
4.3 Transmission path(s) (TP) . 5
4.3.1 General. 5
4.3.2 TP using wires . 5
4.3.3 TP using radio frequency links . 5
4.3.4 TP using optical fibres . 5
4.3.5 Network TP . 5
5 Assessment methods and tests . 6
5.1 General . 6
5.2 Provision of equipment and supporting information and tools . 7
5.3 Configuration . 7
5.3.1 General. 7
5.3.2 Configuration at field level for assessment . 7
5.3.3 Configuration at control level for network assessment . 8
5.4 Standard atmospheric conditions for testing . 8
5.5 Functional test for compatibility assessment on field level . 8
5.5.1 The objective of the test . 8
5.5.2 Test schedule . 8
5.5.3 Functional tests for compatibility in the different conditions . 9
5.6 Functional tests for connectability assessment on field level .13
5.6.1 The objective of the test .13
5.6.2 Test schedule .13
5.6.3 Functional test for connectability .13
6 Test report .13
7 Marking .14
8 Data .14
8.1 General .14
8.2 Documentation for compatibility.14
8.3 Documentation for connectability .14
8.4 Software documentation .15
Annex A (informative) Example of levels used in FDAS .16
Annex B (informative) Classification of functions of the FDAS .17
Annex C (informative) Example methodology for theoretical analysis .19
Annex D (normative) Software design documentation .22
Annex E (informative) Flowchart for assessment of compatibility/connectability .24
Annex F (informative) Functions of a fire detection and alarm systems .25
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ISO 7240-13:2020(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 21, Equipment for fire protection and fire
fighting, Subcommittee SC 3, Fire detection and alarm systems.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 7240-13:2005), which has been
technically revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— This edition takes into account new techniques in communication and the availability of new
technologies and concepts.
— This edition is applicable to electrical wires, optical fibre or radio frequency connections. The
previous edition was only applicable to electrical wires.
— Clarification introduced that it is possible to use this document to establish compatibility with fire
protection equipment such as sprinkler flow switches and electrically activated sprinkler heads.
— Levels (field, control and management) and a network transmission path for the basis of system
configuration introduced.
— References to EN standards have been replaced with the appropriate IEC standard references.
— Introduction of Annex A, Example of levels used in FDAS.
— Introduction of Annex B, Classification of functions of the FDAS.
— Introduction of Annex C, Example methodology for theoretical analysis.
— Introduction of Annex D, Software design documentation.
— Introduction of Annex E, Flowchart for assessment of compatibility/connectability.
— Introduction of Annex F, previously Annex A, upgraded to the latest fire detection and alarm system
functions diagram from ISO 7240-1.
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ISO 7240-13:2020(E)

A list of all parts in the ISO 7240 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
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ISO 7240-13:2020(E)

Introduction
The purpose of fire detection is to detect a fire at the earliest practicable moment and to give signals
and indications so that appropriate action can be taken.
The purpose of a fire alarm is, at a minimum, to give audible and/or visible signals to the occupants of a
building who may be at risk from fire.
A fire detection and alarm system including voice alarm systems combines the functions of detection and
alarm in a single system and typically consists of a number of inter-linked components including automatic
fire detectors, manual call points and alarm devices. These components are connected to control and
indicating equipment by means of one or more transmission paths. All system components, including the
control and indicating equipment, are also directly or indirectly connected to a power supply.
A separate voice alarm system can be assessed for compatibility and connectability independently of
the fire detection and alarm system.
ISO 7240-1 provides additional information about the components performing these functions, listed in
Annex F of this document.
A fire protection system and/or building management system, or remote fault and fire alarm
monitoring stations that are linked to a fire detection and alarm system, are not considered part of the
fire detection and alarm system.
It is necessary for all of the components constituting the fire detection and alarm system to be
compatible or connectable and it is necessary that requirements relating to the performance of the
overall system be fulfilled.
Differentiation is made between components classified as components type 1 and other components,
classified as components type 2.
As the possible configurations of fire detection and alarm systems are unlimited, the assessment is
only carried out on the configuration(s) declared by the applicant.
This document recognizes that it is not practical to assess the compatibility or connectability of
components in all possible configurations. Methods of assessment are specified to reach an acceptable
degree of confidence within pre-determined operational and environmental conditions.
National application guidelines (also known as codes of practice) also contain system requirements.
System requirements are also included for fire detection and alarm systems which are linked to fire
protection systems and/or other systems (for example: fire suppression and building management
systems).
The intended use of this document is to demonstrate the compatibility and connectability of
components, even if they are not defined by an ISO standard.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 7240-13:2020(E)
Fire detection and alarm systems —
Part 13:
Compatibility assessment of system components
1 Scope
This document specifies the requirements for compatibility and connectability assessment of the
components of fire detection and alarm systems, fire protection systems and voice alarm systems.
This document only includes system requirements when these are necessary for compatibility
assessment.
This document also specifies requirements for the integrity of the fire detection and fire alarm system
when connected to other systems.
This document does not specify the manner in which the system is designed, installed and used in any
particular application.
This document does not cover components or functions which are not included in the fire detection and
alarm systems (FDAS), such as functions performed by a building management system.
Methods of assessment are specified to permit an acceptable degree of confidence within predetermined
operational and environmental conditions to be achieved.
The requirements for the transmission path used for a distributed function are covered by a relevant
ISO standard and not by this document.
This document is applicable to systems where the components are connected to control-and-indicating
equipment (CIE) and where the components are interconnected by electrical wires or optical fibre or by
radio frequency links or by any combination of these.
ISO 7240-25 provides additional information and requirements about systems using radio
frequency links.
NOTE Other International Standards are expected to cover the requirements of other systems to which the
fire detection and fire alarm system is connected.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 7240-1, Fire detection and alarm systems — Part 1: General and definitions
ISO 7240-2, Fire detection and alarm systems — Part 2: Fire detection control and indicating equipment
ISO 7240-4, Fire detection and alarm systems — Part 4: Power supply equipment
ISO 7240-16, Fire detection and alarm systems — Part 16: Sound system control and indicating equipment
ISO 7240-25, Fire detection and fire alarm systems — Part 25: Components using radio transmission paths
IEC 62599-1, Alarm systems — Part 1: Environmental test methods
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ISO 7240-13:2020(E)

IEC 62599-2, Alarm systems — Part 2: Electromagnetic compatibility — Immunity requirements for
components of fire and security alarm systems
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 7240-1 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1.1
compatibility of the component type 1
ability of a component type 1 (3.1.2) to operate with control-and-indicating equipment
— within the limits specified for each component,
— within the specified limits given by the relevant parts of the ISO 7240 series or the ISO 6182 series if
available and if not available, given by either a National fire equipment standard or by the applicant,
— within specified configurations of systems
3.1.2
component type 1
device performing a function for the protection of life and/or property, which is required by national
guidelines or regulations
3.1.3
component type 2
device other than a type 1 device which is connected to a component type 1 (3.1.2) performing a function
for the protection of life and/or property, which is not required by national guidelines or regulations
EXAMPLE A printer used for listing fire events.
3.1.4
configuration
topological arrangement of components connected through transmission paths to a control and
indicating equipment
3.1.5
connectability of component type 2
ability of a component type 2 (3.1.3) to operate without jeopardizing the performance of the fire
detection and fire alarm system
3.1.6
control level
level where control and indication functions are provided
Note 1 to entry: See Figure A.1.
Note 2 to entry: CIE and VACIE belong to this level.
3.1.7
field level
level where detection, activation and fire alarm functions are provided
Note 1 to entry: See Figure A.1.
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ISO 7240-13:2020(E)

Note 2 to entry: Detectors, input/output devices and visual/audible alarm devices belong to this level.
3.1.8
fire protection system
group of devices, which in combination are capable of automatically actuating measures to limit the
effect of fire
EXAMPLE Compartmentalization systems, smoke control systems, fixed fire-fighting systems.
3.1.9
hierarchical system
networked system in which one item of control-and-indicating equipment is designated as the main
control-and-indicating equipment, and in which the main control-and-indicating equipment is able to
— receive signals from and/or transmit signals to the control-and-indicating equipment of a
subsystem, and
— indicate the status of the control-and-indicating equipment of a subsystem
3.1.10
management level
level where management functions are provided
Note 1 to entry: The FDAS shall not depend on these functions for its operation.
3.1.11
networked CIE
fire-detection and fire-alarm system in which more than one CIE or VACIE or a combination are
interconnected on a fault tolerant transmission path and are able to exchange information
3.1.12
applicant
organization or other such body requiring an assessment of the compatibility and connectability of
system components
3.2 Abbreviated terms
CIE control-and-indicating equipment
FDAS fire detection and fire alarm system
PSE power supply equipment
TP transmission path
VACIE voice alarm control and indicating equipment
VAS voice alarm system
4 Requirements
4.1 Conformance
The components shall conform to the requirements of the ISO 7240 series or the ISO 6182 series or with
a national equipment standard or with a manufacturer’s specification where a standard is not available.
National application guidelines (also known as codes of practice) also contain system requirements.
Suppliers of components shall ensure that they
— meet the requirements of this document;
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ISO 7240-13:2020(E)

— meet the requirements of the application guidelines of the countries where the components are
intended to be placed on the market.
In order to conform to this document, compatibility of the components type 1 or connectability of the
components type 2 within the FDAS shall meet the requirements listed in Clause 4 of this document.
This shall be verified by theoretical assessment (5.1) with reference to the required documentation
(Clause 8). When it is an outcome of the theoretical assessment, configuration(s) according to 5.3 shall
be tested as described using the relevant selection of functional tests defined in 5.5 and 5.6 and shall
meet the acceptance criteria of the tests.
4.2 General system requirements
4.2.1 The applicant shall provide a list of the FDAS devices and those devices not covered by the
ISO 7240 series shall be declared as component type 1 or component type 2.
4.2.2 The different FDAS configurations intended to be used shall be described within the applicant’s
documentation.
4.2.3 Each of the configurations declared by the applicant shall be considered and representative
configurations shall be assessed to meet the requirements of this document.
4.2.4 Each component type 1 shall be powered directly or indirectly by a PSE which conforms to the
requirements in ISO 7240-4, except for some radio link components in accordance with ISO 7240-25
which may be powered by batteries.
4.2.5 Each component type 1 shall meet the requirements of the relevant part of the ISO 7240 series or
the ISO 6182 series.
Where the component type 1 is not covered by a relevant part of ISO 7240 series or the ISO 6182 series,
it shall meet the following criteria:
a) conformity of the functionality (indication, control, activation) as declared by the component
manufacturer: this functionality shall be consistent with the purpose of a FDAS. The applicant shall
provide the means to check the functionality;
b) conformance to IEC 62599-2;
c) conformance to IEC 62599-1; the applicant shall declare the environmental class. The measurements
or inspections are made before, during (if necessary) and after testing. There shall be no change in
the functioning of the equipment and no significant change in any measurements, which shall also
remain within specification.
Alternatively, the component may comply with the environmental clauses included in the relevant part
of the ISO 7240 series (refer to ISO 7240-1 to classify the components and select the appropriate part).
NOTE It is possible for a component to be covered by a National Assessment Document where there is not an
ISO 7240 standard.
4.2.6 The operation of type 1 and type 2 components shall not jeopardize the operation of the system.
4.2.7 Each component within the FDAS shall operate correctly when submitted to supply voltage
variation as specified by the manufacturer. For each configuration, voltage shall be within the specified
voltage supply range of each component in the FDAS.
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ISO 7240-13:2020(E)

4.3 Transmission path(s) (TP)
4.3.1 General
Each TP between components shall be realized as one of or a combination of the following: electrical
cables, radio frequency links or fibre optic cables.
Means, specified and provided, of limiting the consequences of faults on a transmission path shall
ensure that the function of remaining operational devices is re-established within 300 s following the
occurrence of the fault.
Application guidelines may require that the consequences of a fault (for example a short circuit or an
interruption) on a transmission path are limited: for example, not losing more than one function or
limiting the maximum area affected by the fault.
4.3.2 TP using wires
The applicant shall define in the installation documentation the arrangement of the TP and if the TPs
may be combined in one cable.
A single short or open or earth fault in any TP between components of the FDAS shall not affect the
correct functioning of any other TP.
A short, open or earth fault on a TP to any other system shall not affect the correct functioning of the FDAS.
4.3.3 TP using radio frequency links
The applicant shall define in the installation documentation the arrangement of the TP using radio
frequency links. The component type 1 using radio frequency links shall comply with the requirements
of ISO 7240-25.
4.3.4 TP using optical fibres
The applicant shall define in the installation documentation the arrangement of the TP and whether or
not the TPs may be combined in one cable.
A single fibre break or loss of transmission within a cable shall not affect more than one TP.
A fibre break or loss of transmission on a transmission path to any other system shall not affect the
correct functioning of the FDAS.
4.3.5 Network TP
The network technology of networked CIE could be either a wired link, fibre optics or radio.
The following requirements shall apply:
a) the connection to the network and any single short, open or earth fault in the network shall not
jeopardize the correct operation of the FDAS (in the specified configuration);
b) any traffic on the network shall stay within the limits defined by the applicant and shall not
jeopardize the correct operation of the FDAS;
c) the access to the CIE through the network shall comply with the requirement of the access levels
defined in the relevant part of the ISO 7240 series;
d) if the configuration is designed to transmit a functional condition (such as fire, fault, disablement,
etc.) from one CIE to any other CIE through the network, then the transmission time shall be
determined by the applicable product standard forming part of the ISO 7240 series. However,
where this is not the case, the transmission time shall be within 20 s;
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ISO 7240-13:2020(E)

e) if the configuration is designed to transmit an activation message(s) from one CIE to any other CIE
through the network, then the transmission time shall be within 20 s and the relevant output shall
be activated at the other CIE as specified in ISO 7240-2 or ISO 7240-16;
f) if the configuration is designed to transmit a fire alarm, fault warning or disablement condition
from one CIE to any other CIE through the network, it shall be possible to identify at least the CIE
from which the information originated;
g) a loss of communication to a network CIE shall cause at least one CIE to enter the fault warning
condition within 100 s. In the case of a hierarchical system, the main CIE shall enter the fault
warning condition within 20 s of the original fault warning condition;
h) if it is possible to remotely control one CIE from another CIE via the network, the result shall be
identical to that achieved by the operation of these controls on the controlled CIE.
5 Assessment methods and tests
5.1 General
5.1.1 To assess the compatib
...