Just over a year ago, with the implementation of EN54, the new European fire safety standard, firmly under way, IE asked market leaders in the PA/VA sector about the probable effects of the new directives. Would the regulations stimulate or stifle the market? The broad consensus was that we could expect a race for certification as manufacturers sought a first-mover advantage, accompanied by a move from specifiers towards sourcing compliant kit well before the deadline of April 2011. However, there were concerns that the costs of certification could rule smaller manufacturers out of the market and might be passed on to customers in the form of higher prices.

With the cut-off date now imminent, have those predictions proved correct? And, more importantly, what do installers and specifiers need to know about EN54 part 16 (components for fire alarm voice alarm systems and VACIE – voice alarm control and indicating equipment) and part 24 (loudspeakers)?

“The race is happening,” believes Nils Schaechtele, product manager for Dynacord’s permanent installation portfolio. “Every manufacturer that has certification is trying to make as much profit out of it as possible.”
TOA Europe’s sales director, Wolfgang Pein, agrees: “The brand that has already got certification is the preferred brand for future planning. Early certification gives us a better position in the market – we are more involved in upcoming projects.” TOA has already been quick off the blocks, announcing an EN54-compliant installation at the Frankfurt Opern Turm (Opera Tower) back in February 2010.

The danger for those slower off the mark, believes his colleague Brett Downing, sales and marketing director for TOA UK, is that “testing houses across Europe are going to be maxed out and [that] will delay [latecomers] getting products to market”.

But while Alison Cousins, marketing manager for Baldwin Boxall, concedes that “there has been a rush for companies to gain compliance”, she also notes concerns about companies self-certifying or using unapproved testing facilities. Indeed, with testing being a long-winded and pricey affair – and given the limited number of authorised testing houses – there are several companies still in the process, especially for new product releases.

“Baldwin Boxall expects certification towards the end of December,” she says. “All our voice alarm system products will be certified by March 2011. We delayed testing because we were introducing new products to the range and wanted to ensure that all current products are compliant.”

This, she adds, has not hindered sales. “Consultants and customers have been satisfied with this reply when enquiring about compliance. Although some manufacturers have certification we have not witnessed this as being an advantage.”