CLC/TC 79/WG 05 - Alarm transmission systems (annunciation equipment)

This document specifies minimum requirements for secure connection and session for remote access to one or more alarm systems, for example fire safety systems, intruder and hold-up alarm systems, electronic access control systems, external perimeter security systems, video surveillance systems, and social alarm systems. This document specifies the requirements for the performance, reliability, integrity, and security characteristics of a Remote Access Infrastructure. This document specifies the requirements for a Remote Access Infrastructure between a Remote Access Client and an alarm system at the supervised premises and may be either integrated as part of the ATS or a separate infrastructure. In either case, the requirements of this European technical specification should apply. This document does not cover the provision of functions and features on the alarm system.

This standard specifies the requirements for the performance, reliability and security characteristics of alarm transmission systems. It covers the general requirements for connections providing signalling between an alarm system at a supervised premises and annunciation equipment at an alarm receiving centre. EN 50136-1 Applies to transmission systems for all types of alarm messages such as fire, intrusion, access control, social alarm, etc. Different types of alarm system may in addition to alarm messages also send other types of messages, e.g. fault messages and status messages. These messages are also considered to be alarm messages. The term alarm is used in this broad sense throughout the document. Additional requirements for the connection of specific types of alarm systems are given in the relevant European Standards.

This European Standard specifies the minimum equipment requirements for the performance, reliability, resilience, security and safety characteristics of the receiving centre transceiver (RCT) installed in ARC and used in alarm transmission systems. The alarm transmission system requirements and classifications are defined within EN 50136 1. Different types of alarm systems may in addition to alarm messages also send other types of messages, e.g. fault messages and status messages. These messages are also considered to be alarm messages. The term alarm message is used in this broad sense throughout the document. Where application specific standards exist, the RCT should comply with relevant standards called up by that application. The RCT can be either an integrated element of any receiving/annunciation equipment, or a stand-alone device. In either case, the requirements of this European Standard should apply. The function of the RCT is to monitor the ATPs, receive alarm messages, forward alarm messages to one or more AEs and send acknowledgements to the SPTs. Management of the transmission network is not in the scope of this European Standard.

This document specifies a protocol for point-to-point transmission of alarms and faults, as well as communications monitoring, between a Supervised Premises Transceiver and a Receiving Centre Transceiver using the Internet Protocol (IP). The protocol is intended for use over any network that supports the transmission of IP data. These include Ethernet, xDSL, GPRS, WiFi, UMTS and WIMAX. The system performance characteristics for alarm transmission are specified in EN 50136-1. The performance characteristics of the supervised premises equipment should comply with the requirements of its associated alarm system standard and applies for transmission of all types of alarms including, but not limited to, fire, intrusion, access control and social alarms. Compliance with this document is voluntary.

These application guidelines include guidance on the application of the design, planning, operation, installation, commissioning and maintenance of alarm transmission systems for use in fire, I&HAS, Social Alarms and VSS applications. This document does NOT specify requirements. The requirements for ATS and ATE are specified in other parts of the EN 50136 series of standards. These application guidelines are intended to assist those responsible for establishing an ATS(n) to ascertain the appropriate design, planning, Installation, operation and maintenance of an ATS(n) and to determine the most appropriate ATS category for the required system performance. E.g. Installers and service providers, ATSPs and their ICT managers, Network operators (Telco’s), ARC’s and their ICT managers, Test houses and Certification inspectorates, Specifiers, Insurance companies, Manufacturers of ATE.

This Technical Specification specifies a protocol for point-to-point transmission of alarms and faults, as well as communications monitoring, between a Supervised Premises Transceiver and a Receiving Centre Transceiver using the Internet protocol (IP). The protocol is intended for use over any network that supports the transmission of IP data. These include Ethernet, xDSL, GPRS, WiFi, UMTS and WIMAX. The system performance characteristics for alarm transmission are specified in EN 50136-1 and EN 50136-1-5. The performance characteristics of the supervised premises equipment should comply with the requirements of its associated alarm system standard and shall apply for transmission of all types of alarms including, but not limited to, fire, intrusion, access control and social alarms. Compliance with this Technical Specification is voluntary.