BS EN 54-1:2021

BSI Standards Publication

Fire detection and fire alarm systems

Part 1: Introduction
BS EN 54-1:2021 BRITISH STANDARD

National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN 54-1:2021. It
supersedes BS EN 54-1:2011, which is withdrawn.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee FSH/12, Fire detection and alarm systems.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on
request to its committee manager.
Contractual and legal considerations
This publication has been prepared in good faith, however no
representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking (express or
implied) is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability is or will be
accepted by BSI in relation to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or
reasonableness of this publication. All and any such responsibility and
liability is expressly disclaimed to the full extent permitted by the law.
This publication is provided as is, and is to be used at the
recipient’s own risk.
The recipient is advised to consider seeking professional guidance with
respect to its use of this publication.
This publication is not intended to constitute a contract. Users are
responsible for its correct application.
© The British Standards Institution 2021
Published by BSI Standards Limited 2021
ISBN 978 0 539 04920 6
ICS 13.220.20
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from
legal obligations.
This British Standard was published under the authority of the
Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 30 June 2021.

Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication

Date Text affected
 BS EN 54-1:2021

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 54-1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM June 2021

ICS 13.220.20 Supersedes EN 54-1:2011

English Version

Fire detection and fire alarm systems - Part 1: Introduction

Systèmes de détection et d'alarme incendie - Partie 1 : Brandmeldeanlagen - Teil 1: Einleitung
Introduction

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 23 May 2021.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels

© 2021 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 54-1:2021 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

Contents Page

European foreword....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 5
1 Scope .................................................................................................................................................................... 6
2 Normative references .................................................................................................................................... 6
3 Terms and definitions ................................................................................................................................... 6
4 Function ........................................................................................................................................................... 14
Annex A (informative) Functions, examples and relevant standards .................................................... 16
Annex B (informative) Examples of distributed CIE, distributed VACIE and network of CIEs ...... 19
B.1 Distributed CIE .............................................................................................................................................. 19
B.2 Distributed VACIE ........................................................................................................................................ 19
B.3 Network of CIEs ............................................................................................................................................. 20
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................................. 22

2
 BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

European foreword

This document (EN 54-1:2021) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 72 “Fire detection
and fire alarm systems”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by December 2021, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by December 2021.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This document supersedes EN 54-1:2011.

The main changes compared to the previous edition are listed below:

a) addition of further terms;

b) deletion of Section 5 (Compliance);

c) addition of informative Annex B with examples of distributed CIE, distributed VACIE and network of
CIEs;

d) editorial changes.

EN 54, Fire detection and fire alarm systems, is currently composed of the following parts:

— Part 1: Introduction

— Part 2: Control and indicating equipment

— Part 3: Fire alarm devices — Sounders

— Part 4: Power supply equipment

— Part 5: Heat detectors — Point heat detectors

— Part 7: Smoke detectors — Point smoke detectors using scattered light, transmitted light or ionization

— Part 10: Flame detectors — Point detectors

— Part 11: Manual call points

— Part 12: Smoke detectors — Line detectors using an optical light beam

— Part 13: Compatibility and connectability assessment of system components

— Part 14: Guidelines for planning, design, installation, commissioning, use and maintenance
(CEN/TS 54-14)

— Part 16: Voice alarm control and indicating equipment

— Part 17: Short-circuit isolators

3
BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

— Part 18: Input/output devices

— Part 20: Aspirating smoke detectors

— Part 21: Alarm transmission and fault warning routing equipment

— Part 22: Resettable line type heat detectors

— Part 23: Fire alarm devices — Visual alarm devices

— Part 24: Components of voice alarm systems — Loudspeakers

— Part 25: Components using radio links

— Part 26: Carbon monoxide detectors — Point detectors

— Part 27: Duct smoke detectors

— Part 28: Non-resettable line type heat detectors

— Part 29: Multi-sensor fire detectors — Point detectors using a combination of smoke and heat sensors

— Part 30: Multi-sensor fire detectors — Point detectors using a combination of carbon monoxide and
heat sensors

— Part 31: Multi-sensor fire detectors — Point detectors using a combination of smoke, carbon monoxide
and optionally heat sensors

— Part 32: Guidelines for the planning, design, installation, commissioning, use and maintenance of voice
alarm systems (CEN/TS 54-32)

For the current status of published standards refer to httpss://www.cen.e.

According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United
Kingdom.

4
 BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

Introduction

This document gives the necessary information for the intended use of the series of EN 54 standards. The
EN 54 series applies to fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings and civil engineering works
composed of several components that communicate for the purpose of detecting fire at the earliest
practicable moment, and:
— to give audible and/or visible signals to the occupants of the building who might be at risk from a
fire;

— to provide remote fire alarms to organizations having authority to take care of buildings and their
environment;

— to give signals to initiate, in the event of a fire, the operation of other fire protection and
equipment/systems.

The EN 54 series specifies:

— product characteristics, test methods and performance criteria against which the effectiveness and
reliability of the component parts of fire detection and fire alarm systems can be assessed and
declared;

— requirements for compatibility and connectability of components when combined into a system;

— guidelines for application of fire detection and fire alarm systems in buildings and civil engineering
works.

The EN 54 series may be used for other applications e.g. mines and ships, but one should consider the
specific nature of each application before use. Additional performance and environmental tests might be
necessary. This does not preclude the manufacture or use of systems having special characteristics
suitable for the protection of specific risks against specific hazards.
As this revision of the standard includes terms and definitions collated from specific parts of EN 54, there
can now be some duplication of terms and definitions in other parts. This situation will be corrected in
future revisions of the different parts of EN 54 so that definitions are defined only once and are applied
consistently throughout the series.
The functions of a fire detection and fire alarm system may be grouped to form subsystems such as a fire
detection subsystem and a voice alarm subsystem.
As the system is required to function satisfactorily, not only under fire conditions, but also when exposed
to conditions likely to be met in practice, the tests specified in the EN 54 series are intended to assess the
performance of the components and the system under such conditions.
The performance of components is assessed from the results obtained in the specified tests. This
performance does not ensure that this component will necessarily function correctly when connected
with another component also conforming to the relevant part of EN 54 (e.g. control and indicating
equipment with a fire detector), unless both components have been assessed together in accordance with
EN 54-13.

5
BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

1 Scope
This document defines the terms and definitions that are used throughout the EN 54 series of standards.
It gives the principles on which each part of the series has been based and describes the functions carried
out by the components of a fire detection and fire alarm system.
This document applies to fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings and civil engineering works.
This document does not apply to smoke alarm devices which are covered by EN 14604.

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.
EN 54 (all parts), Fire detection and fire alarm systems

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/

— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp

3.1
access level
one of several states of equipment in which selected

— controls can be operated;

— manual operations can be carried out;

— indications are visible; and/or

— information can be obtained and changed.

[SOURCE: ISO 7240-1:2014, 2.1.3, modified]

3.2
addressable device
device that can be individually identified at the CIE

3.3
aerosol tunnel
smoke tunnel
test arrangement, producing a well-controlled increase of an artificial aerosol for the purpose of a
reproducible assessment of the response behaviour of a smoke detector

3.4
ancillary equipment
equipment which supports fire related functions not currently defined in EN 54

6
 BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

3.5
aspirating smoke detector
smoke detector, in which air and aerosols are drawn through a sampling device and carried to one or
more smoke sensing elements by an integral aspirator (e.g. fan or pump)

Note 1 to entry: Each smoke-sensing element may contain more than one sensor exposed to the same smoke
sample.

3.6
building management system
facilities used to monitor, control and manage equipment installed in a building for comfort, safety and/or
security purposes

3.7
combustion gas detector
fire detector sensitive to gaseous products of combustion and/or thermal decomposition

EXAMPLE Carbon monoxide fire detector.

3.8
commissioning
activating and testing of the system according to the design

[SOURCE: EN 16763:2017, 2.12]

3.9
compatibility
ability of a component of the system to operate with another component of the same system

3.10
competent person
individual who, in relation to the work undertaken, has the necessary knowledge, skill, tools and
experience to complete the defined task satisfactorily and safely

3.11
component
device contained in one housing (or cabinet), that performs a function, several functions or part of a
function of a fire detection and fire alarm system

EXAMPLE Fire detectors, alarm devices and control and indicating equipment are components of a fire
detection and fire alarm system.

Note 1 to entry: Where a function is distributed in separate housings each housing is considered as a separate
component.

7
BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

3.12
control and indicating equipment
CIE
component of a fire detection and fire alarm system through which other components may be supplied
with power and which is used:

a) to receive the signals from the connected detectors and/or manual call points;

b) to determine whether these signals correspond to a fire alarm condition;

c) to indicate any such fire alarm condition audibly and visually;

d) to indicate the location of the danger.

Note 1 to entry: CIE is used to monitor correct functioning of the system and give audible and visible warning of
any faults (e.g. short circuit, line breakage, or fault in the power supply); and, if necessary is able to pass on the fault
warning through fault warning routing equipment to a fault warning receiving centre.

Note 2 to entry: If necessary CIE is able to pass on the fire alarm signal; for example:

— to audible or visible fire alarm devices or to a voice alarm system;

— to the fire alarm routing function to a fire alarm receiving centre;

— to the control function for fire protection equipment or systems;

— to ancillary equipment (e.g. fire brigade panel).

3.13
detachable detector
detector which is designed for removal of the head from its base

Note 1 to entry: The use of detachable detectors can assist during maintenance without disconnecting the fixed
wiring.

3.14
distributed CIE
single CIE which is contained in cabinets, which are physically separated from each other

Note 1 to entry: The requirements are given in EN 54-2.

Note 2 to entry: See Annex B for examples.

3.15
distributed VACIE
single VACIE which is contained in cabinets, which are physically separated from each other

Note 1 to entry: The requirements are given in EN 54-16.

Note 2 to entry: See Annex B for examples.

3.16
duct smoke detector
detector that monitors the air in an air duct to detect smoke

8
 BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

3.17
earth fault
unwanted connection between earth potential and any part of the CIE or VACIE, transmission paths to
the CIE or VACIE, or transmission paths between parts of the CIE or VACIE

3.18
emergency microphone
microphone for use by the fire service or trained operators as part of a voice alarm system

3.19
fault warning receiving centre
centre from which the necessary corrective measures can be initiated on receipt of fault signals

3.20
fault warning routing equipment
equipment which routes a fault warning signal to a fault warning receiving centre

3.21
fire alarm device
component of a fire alarm system, not incorporated in the control and indicating equipment, which is
used for warning persons

EXAMPLE Fire alarm sounders, visual alarm devices, voice alarm loudspeakers, tactile alarm devices.

3.22
fire alarm receiving centre
centre from which the necessary fire protection or fire-fighting measures can be initiated on receipt of a
fire alarm signal

3.23
fire alarm routing equipment
equipment which routes an alarm signal from a control and indicating equipment to a fire alarm receiving
centre

3.24
fire alarm sounder
sounder
device able to generate an audible fire alarm signal for warning persons

3.25
fire brigade panel
device connected to the CIE specifically designed for use by the fire brigade

EXAMPLE Fire brigade control panel, fire brigade indicator panel.

3.26
fire detection and fire alarm system
FDAS
group of components including the control and indicating equipment which when arranged in (a) specific
configuration(s) is capable of detecting and indicating a fire, and giving signals for appropriate action

9
BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

3.27
fire detector
component of a fire detection and fire alarm system which contains at least one sensor which constantly
or at frequent intervals monitors at least one suitable physical and/or chemical phenomenon associated
with fire, and that provides at least one corresponding signal to the control and indicating equipment

Note 1 to entry: The decision to give the alarm of fire or to operate fire protection equipment or system may be
made at the detector or other component of the system, for example at the control and indicating equipment.

EXAMPLE This can include:

— flame detectors, smoke detectors, heat detectors, combustion gas detectors;

— point detectors, line type detectors, multipoint detectors, aspirating detectors;

— resettable detectors, non-resettable detectors;

— detachable detectors, non detachable detectors.

3.28
fire protection equipment
equipment to limit the effect of fire

Note 1 to entry: This includes equipment for containing or preventing the spread and effects of fire, heat or
smoke or for supporting other fire protection goals, e.g. lift and ventilation controls.

3.29
fire protection system
FPS
group of devices that in combination are capable of automatically actuating measures to limit the effect
of fire

EXAMPLE Compartmentation systems, smoke control systems and fire fighting systems.

3.30
flame detector
fire detector that reponds to radiation emitted by flames from a fire

EXAMPLE Infrared (IR) flame detectors, ultraviolet (UV) flame detectors, multiband flame detectors.

3.31
functional condition
state of the CIE / VACIE characterized by indication(s)

3.32
handover
process of transferring the responsibility of the system to the organization specified in the contract

[SOURCE: EN 16763:2017, 2.14]

10
 BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

3.33
heat detector
detector that responds to an increase in temperature

Note 1 to entry: This includes detectors which respond to a rise in temperature and/or exceed a fixed
temperature.

3.34
hierarchical system
system comprising more than one CIE/VACIE in which one CIE/VACIE is designated as the main CIE/
VACIE and in which the main CIE/ VACIE is able to:

a) receive signals from and/or transmit signals to any subsidiary CIE/VACIE;

b) indicate the status of any subsidiary CIE/VACIE.

3.35
information display
visible indicator that is capable of giving information consisting of text, numeric characters, graphical
symbols or any combination thereof

3.36
infrared (IR) flame detector
flame detector responding only to radiation having wavelengths greater than 850 nm

3.37
input/output device
device connected to a transmission path of a fire detection and fire alarm system, used to receive and/or
transmit electrical signals necessary for the operation of the fire detection and fire alarm system

3.38
installation
implementation of the design, specifically the assembling, mounting and connecting of the relevant
system components

[SOURCE: EN 16763:2017, 2.11]

3.39
installed system
system after installation has been completed

3.40
ionization smoke detector
detector sensitive to combustion products capable of affecting ionization currents within the detector

3.41
line detector
detector that responds to the phenomenon sensed in the vicinity of a continuous line

3.42
line smoke detector using an optical beam
detector consisting at least of a transmitter and a receiver and which may include reflector(s), for the
detection of smoke by the attenuation and/or changes in attenuation of an optical beam

11
BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

3.43
line type heat detector
detector which responds to heat sensed in the vicinity of a continuous line

EXAMPLE Linear heat detectors, multipoint heat detectors.

3.44
linear heat detector
detector which responds to heat applied to any point along the length of the sensing element

3.45
manual call point
component of a fire detection and fire alarm system which is used for the manual initiation of an alarm

3.46
manual call point type A: direct operation
manual call point in which the change to the alarm condition is automatic (i.e. without the need for further
manual action) when the frangible element is broken or displaced

3.47
manual call point type B: indirect operation
manual call point in which the change to the alarm condition necessitates a separate manual operation of
the operating element by the user after the frangible element is broken or displaced

3.48
multi-band flame detector
flame detector having two or more sensing elements each responding to radiation in a distinct
wavelength range and each of whose outputs may contribute to the alarm decision

3.49
multi-sensor detector
detector using more than one sensor to respond to one or more phenomena of fire

3.50
network of CIEs
more than one CIE (function B) or more than one VACIE (function M) or a combination of both function
B and M, which are interconnected for transmitting information

Note 1 to entry: The requirements for a network of CIEs are given in EN 54-13.

Note 2 to entry: See Annex B for examples.

3.51
non-detachable detector
detector which is designed to be mounted directly to a surface without the use of a mounting base

3.52
optical smoke detector
detector sensitive to combustion products capable of affecting the absorption or scattering of radiation
in the infra-red, visible and/or ultraviolet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum

3.53
point detector
detector which responds to the phenomenon sensed in the vicinity of a fixed point

12
 BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

3.54
power supply equipment
PSE
component of a fire detection and fire alarm system which supplies power for the CIE or VACIE and/or
for other components, including those fed with power from the CIE or VACIE

3.55
smoke detector
detector sensitive to particulate products of combustion and/or pyrolysis suspended in the atmosphere
(aerosols)

EXAMPLE Point smoke detectors, aspirating smoke detectors, duct smoke detectors, line smoke detectors
using an optical beam.

3.56
tactile alarm device
device able to generate a tactile sensation for warning person(s)

3.57
transmission path
connection between components used for the transmission of information and/or power
EXAMPLE Cables, radio links.

3.58
transmission path isolator
short-circuit isolator
device, which may be inserted into a transmission path of a fire detection and fire alarm system, to limit
the consequences of low parallel resistance faults between the lines of this transmission path
Note 1 to entry: This device can be a physically separate device or it can be incorporated into another device (e.g.
integrated into a smoke detector or detector base).

3.59
transmission path monitoring device
end of line device
active or passive device, which may be inserted into a transmission path of a fire detection and fire alarm
system, to facilitate the monitoring of a transmission path

Note 1 to entry: A transmission path monitoring device can be a physically separate device or it can be
incorporated into another device (e.g. end sounder on the line, detector or loudspeaker).
Note 2 to entry: Transmission path monitoring is an inherent requirement in standards for components such as
CIE/VACIE.

3.60
ultra-violet flame detector
UV flame detector
flame detector responding only to radiation having wavelengths less than 300 nm

3.61
video fire detector
fire detector which analyses video images to detect the presence of smoke and/or flame

13
BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

3.62
visual alarm device
device able to generate a flashing light for warning persons

3.63
visualization system
additional equipment used to visualize the information provided by a fire detection and fire alarm system

3.64
voice alarm control and indicating equipment
VACIE
component of a voice alarm system that generates and transmits emergency messages or alarm signals
to loudspeaker(s) when it receives alarm signal(s) from CIE and/or from manual controls
Note 1 to entry: VACIE can vary in size and complexity from a single cabinet through to many cabinets distributed
throughout a building or site.

3.65
voice alarm loudspeaker
device able to generate a voice message and an alert signal from an electrical signal sent by the VACIE

3.66
voice alarm system
group of components, including VACIE and loudspeakers, which broadcasts speech messages and/or
warning signals in an emergency

3.67
voice sounder
device able to generate an attention-drawing signal and fire alarm voice message(s) for warning persons

3.68
zone
geographical sub-division of the protected premises in which a function may be carried out separately
from any other sub-division

4 Function
To achieve the overall functionality of a fire detection and fire alarm system, several functions need to be
implemented. These functions are identified in Figure 1. They may be complemented by ancillary
functions to offer more convenience to the user.
All these functions are performed by components which are inter-linked using wire, radio
communication or other suitable means to achieve the overall functionality of the fire detection and fire
alarm system.
Functionality may be distributed in one or more components.
Annex A gives additional information about the use of functions and applicable standards.

14
 BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

Key
1 detection and initiating G fire protection control function
2 control and indicating H fire protection function
3 action J fault warning routing function
4 function associated with FDAS K fault warning receiving function
A fire detection function L power supply function
B control and indication function for M voice alarm control and indication
fire detection and fire alarm function for fire alarm
C fire alarm function (excluding N ancillary interface function
loudspeaker)
D manual initiating function O ancillary management function
E fire alarm routing function P fire alarm function (loudspeakers)
F fire alarm receiving function exchange of information between
functions

NOTE The functions that are included within the FDAS are shown inside the dotted line.

Figure 1 — Fire detection and fire alarm system and associated systems, functions and
equipment

15
 BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

Annex A
(informative)

Functions, examples and relevant standards

Clause 4 of this document specifies functions and equipment of the fire detection and fire alarm system
and associated systems. Table A.1 gives examples of products that carry out the specified functions and
gives information on relevant published standards applicable to these products and systems.
Table A.1 — Examples of products and systems carrying out the functions of FDAS and FDAS
associated systems and applicable relevant standards

Example of product carrying the

Reference Functions Relevant standards
function
Fire detectors such as:
Smoke detectors (point detectors) EN 54-7
Line smoke detectors using optical beam EN 54-12
Aspirating smoke detectors EN 54-20
Duct smoke detectors EN 54-27
Heat detectors (point detectors) EN 54-5
Resettable line type heat detectors EN 54-22
Non-resettable line type heat detectors EN 54-28
Flame detectors (point detectors) EN 54-10
Carbon monoxide fire detectors EN 54-26
(point detectors)
Multi-sensor fire detectors:
A Fire detection function Point detectors using a combination of EN 54-29
smoke and heat sensors
Point detectors using a combination of EN 54-30
carbon monoxide and heat sensors
Point detectors using a combination of EN 54-31
smoke, carbon monoxide and optionally
heat sensors
Input device for auxiliary detection EN 54-18a
functions such as:
Sprinkler activated input
Input device for connection of secondary
detection circuit to a Primary detection
circuit

16
 BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

Example of product carrying the

Reference Functions Relevant standards
function

Control and indication

B function for fire Control and indicating equipment (CIE) EN 54-2
detection and fire alarm

Fire alarm devices such as:

Fire alarm function Fire alarm sounders EN 54-3
C (excluding
loudspeakers) Visual alarms EN 54-23
Tactile alarm devices
Manual initiating
D Manual call points EN 54-11
function
Fire alarm routing Fire alarm routing equipment (alarm
E EN 54-21
function transmission routing equipment)
Fire alarm receiving
F Fire alarm receiving centre EN 50518
function
Output device to trigger fire protection
Fire protection control equipment EN 54-18a
G
function
Output to fire protection equipment EN 54-2
Ventilation for buildings – fire dampers EN 15650
Electrically controlled hold-open device for
EN 14637
fire/smoke doors
Smoke and heat control systems EN 12101 series
H Fire protection function Fixed firefighting systems: gas extinguishing
EN 12094 series
systems
Firefighting systems: sprinkler or water
EN 12259 series
spray systems
Other fire protection measures
Fault warning routing
J Fault warning routing equipment EN 54-21
function
Fault warning receiving
K Fault warning receiving centre EN 50518
function
L Power supply function Power supply equipment (PSE) EN 54-4

Voice alarm control and Voice alarm control and indicating

EN 54-16
M indication function for equipment (VACIE)
fire alarm Control for other fire evacuation measures
Data communication interface (e.g. network
Ancillary interface interface, remote services interface)
N
function

17
 BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

Example of product carrying the

Reference Functions Relevant standards
function
Visualization system
Building management system
Ancillary management
O Fire brigade panel
function
Fireman's voice alarm panel
Remote access server/client
Fire alarm function
P Voice alarm loudspeakers EN 54-24
(loudspeakers)
Short-circuit isolators EN 54-17
Exchange of Components using radio links EN 54-25
information between
functions
Alarm transmission systems EN 50136 series

a EN 54-18 does not include detailed functional requirements for the input/output devices but requires that their
function is sufficiently specified by the manufacturer.

18
 BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

Annex B
(informative)

Examples of distributed CIE, distributed VACIE and network of CIEs

B.1 Distributed CIE

The Figure B.1 shows an example of three cabinets forming a single CIE (B). One of the cabinets has the
manual controls and indications in accordance to EN 54-2. Other cabinets may also provide manual
controls and/or indications.

Key
1 cabinet number 1 4 manual controls and indications
2 cabinet number 2 5 transmission path
3 cabinet number 3 .. — boundary of the CIE

NOTE For information about A, B, C, D and E, see Figure 1.

Figure B.1 — Example of a distributed CIE

B.2 Distributed VACIE

The Figure B.2 shows an example of three cabinets forming a single VACIE (M). One of the cabinet has the
manual controls and indications in accordance to EN 54-16. Other cabinets may also provide manual
controls and/or indications.

19
BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

Key
1 cabinet number 1 4 manual controls and indications
2 cabinet number 2 5 transmission path
3 cabinet number 3 .. — boundary of VACIE

NOTE For information about B, C, E, M and P, see Figure 1.

Figure B.2 — Example of a distributed VACIE

B.3 Network of CIEs

The Figure B.3 shows an example of a network of five items. Each item could be either a standalone CIE,
a distributed CIE, a standalone VACIE or a distributed VACIE.
The transmission path is the link between several CIEs which are in the network.

20
 BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

Key
1 distributed CIE / VACIE number 1 4 distributed CIE / VACIE number 4
2 CIE / VACIE number 2 5 CIE / VACIE number 5
3 CIE / VACIE number 3 6 transmission path
.. — boundary of CIE /VACIE

Figure B.3 — Example of a Network of CIEs

21
BS EN 54-1:2021
EN 54-1:2021 (E)

Bibliography

EN 12101 (series), Smoke and heat control systems

EN 12094 (series), Fixed firefighting systems - Components for gas extinguishing systems

EN 12259 (series), Fixed firefighting systems - Components for sprinkler and water spray systems

EN 16763:2017, Services for fire safety systems and security systems

EN 14637, Building hardware - Electrically controlled hold-open systems for fire/smoke door
assemblies - Requirements, test methods, application and maintenance

EN 15650, Ventilation for buildings - Fire dampers

EN 50136 (series), Alarm systems - Alarm transmission systems and equipment

EN 50518, Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centre

22
This page deliberately left blank
NO COPYING WITHOUT BSI PERMISSION EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW

British Standards Institution (BSI)

BSI is the national body responsible for preparing British Standards and other
standards-related publications, information and services.
BSI is incorporated by Royal Charter. British Standards and other standardization
products are published by BSI Standards Limited.

About us Reproducing extracts

We bring together business, industry, government, consumers, innovators For permission to reproduce content from BSI publications contact the BSI
and others to shape their combined experience and expertise into standards Copyright and Licensing team.
-based solutions.
The knowledge embodied in our standards has been carefully assembled in Subscriptions
a dependable format and refined through our open consultation process. Our range of subscription services are designed to make using standards
Organizations of all sizes and across all sectors choose standards to help easier for you. For further information on our subscription products go to bsigroup.
them achieve their goals. com/subscriptions.
With British Standards Online (BSOL) you’ll have instant access to over 55,000
Information on standards British and adopted European and international standards from your desktop.
We can provide you with the knowledge that your organization needs It’s available 24/7 and is refreshed daily so you’ll always be up to date.
to succeed. Find out more about British Standards by visiting our website at You can keep in touch with standards developments and receive substantial
bsigroup.com/standards or contacting our Customer Services team or discounts on the purchase price of standards, both in single copy and subscription
Knowledge Centre. format, by becoming a BSI Subscribing Member.

Buying standards PLUS is an updating service exclusive to BSI Subscribing Members. You will
automatically receive the latest hard copy of your standards when they’re
You can buy and download PDF versions of BSI publications, including British and revised or replaced.
adopted European and international standards, through our website at bsigroup.
com/shop, where hard copies can also be purchased. To find out more about becoming a BSI Subscribing Member and the benefits
of membership, please visit bsigroup.com/shop.
If you need international and foreign standards from other Standards Development
Organizations, hard copies can be ordered from our Customer Services team. With a Multi-User Network Licence (MUNL) you are able to host standards
publications on your intranet. Licences can cover as few or as many users as you
Copyright in BSI publications wish. With updates supplied as soon as they’re available, you can be sure your
documentation is current. For further information, email cservices@bsigroup.com.
All the content in BSI publications, including British Standards, is the property
of and copyrighted by BSI or some person or entity that owns copyright in the Revisions
information used (such as the international standardization bodies) and has
formally licensed such information to BSI for commercial publication and use. Our British Standards and other publications are updated by amendment or revision.

Save for the provisions below, you may not transfer, share or disseminate any We continually improve the quality of our products and services to benefit your
portion of the standard to any other person. You may not adapt, distribute, business. If you find an inaccuracy or ambiguity within a British Standard or other
commercially exploit or publicly display the standard or any portion thereof in any BSI publication please inform the Knowledge Centre.
manner whatsoever without BSI’s prior written consent.
Useful Contacts
Storing and using standards Customer Services
Standards purchased in soft copy format: Tel: +44 345 086 9001
• A British Standard purchased in soft copy format is licensed to a sole named Email: cservices@bsigroup.com
user for personal or internal company use only.
Subscriptions
• The standard may be stored on more than one device provided that it is Tel: +44 345 086 9001
accessible by the sole named user only and that only one copy is accessed at Email: subscriptions@bsigroup.com
any one time.
• A single paper copy may be printed for personal or internal company use only. Knowledge Centre
Tel: +44 20 8996 7004
Standards purchased in hard copy format: Email: knowledgecentre@bsigroup.com
• A British Standard purchased in hard copy format is for personal or internal
company use only. Copyright & Licensing
Tel: +44 20 8996 7070
• It may not be further reproduced – in any format – to create an additional copy.
This includes scanning of the document. Email: copyright@bsigroup.com

If you need more than one copy of the document, or if you wish to share the BSI Group Headquarters
document on an internal network, you can save money by choosing a subscription
product (see ‘Subscriptions’). 389 Chiswick High Road London W4 4AL UK

This page deliberately left blank