False alarms are more likely under EN50131

We have manufacturers racing to make compliant product that is unstable and costing the installers of the equipment a fortune in labour to address numerous 'false alarm' issues.

We have had major problems with Grade 3 alarm panels generating 'tamper' faults during the day because the control equipment is not up to handling the new anti mask resistances.

From April 1st 2007 we are supposed to used junction boxes with tamper protection.

Our current preferred supplier does not make one yet – but we are told that they will have one before the 'deadline'.

What do we do if the new tamper junction box is not up to the job? In addition there are new requirements for Grade 3 door contacts.

The introduction of the requirement for protection against interference from external magnetic and electro-magnetic source will cause major false alarms because the working tolerance gap is too small.

We are told that the tolerance for a heavy duty metal roller shutter contact is 5-10mm gap! How the hell can we contact the average roller shutter that moves/slides, gets knocked etc?

We have been informed by the NSI that if we fit a Grade 3 system using junction boxes that do not have tamper protection after April1st, the system will be Graded 2 or below.

Who has the authority to re-grade a whole system because we choose not to use a non-tried and tested tampered junction box?

My company has endured a cost of over £2000 in labour this year alone to redress manufactured faults. The April Fool day 2007 will cause mayhem because the contacts are not up to the job.

We will not be using Grade 3 contacts on a Grade 3 system until we are convinced that we will not endure the costs for the false alarms.

Which is the best protection for the customer? Fit a Grade 2 system with redcare GSM and have two detectors in each area to get confirmed alarm activation or fit a Grade 3 system with one detector in each area?

When the insurance company asks for a Grade 3 with redcare GSM do they know that we could technically fit a Grade 3 with no sounders at all?

We need clear, simple, up-to-date clarification as to what is required to install Grade 2 & 3 systems and someone in the industry needs to stand up and counter the stupid introduction of standards that are making intruder alarms more liable to generate false alarms.

John Piggott, Atlas Fire & Security Ltd