DIN EN 16763: Effects on smoke and heat extraction

Fire safety systems have been the subject of European standards for years.

Services for electronic fire safety systems also became the focus of attention of the safety industry with the launch of the EU Directive 2006/123/EC, the so-called Service Directive. The new DIN EN 16763 was the result of many years of work on standards.

It sets up the criteria for evaluating safety industry service providers, their staff and the service outcome to be provided. As a result, "minimum requirements" for a uniform service level have been established as binding for the first time.

Effects on smoke and heat extraction (SHE) and hold-open systems

The comprehensive planning and installation associated with the realisation of fire safety systems as well as the start-up, acceptance and also maintenance of electronic safety systems in the fields of technical fire protection and alarm systems must be applied to this specialist area together with the national or European regulations and national laws and regulations. This applies irrespective of the project size.

Reference can be made to the following publications for the field of smoke and heat extraction (SHE) systems as national application regulations:
- DIN 18232 Part 2
- ZVEI [German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Association] information sheet 82009
- RAL Quality Assurance GZ 591 of the RAL Quality Association Smoke and Heat Extraction Systems
- BHE [German Association of Safety Technology] Guideline NRA-EA
- VdS Guideline 2133
- Federal state building codes
- Other building law ordinances

The following application regulations apply to the field of hold-open systems:
- DIBt [Centre of Competence for Construction] guideline for hold-open systems
- DIN 14677

Safety-relevant processing phases

DIN EN 16763 refers to the processing phases of the particular system type presented below. In future, service providers must declare that these correspond to the currently valid application regulations, provide them and prove their qualification for each processing phase.

The regulations of DIN EN 16763 are clearly defined, irrespective of the size of the company or organisational form. The first part describes the "general requirements". These involve formal information, such as field of activity, equipment of the company, commercial register entry and function of the responsible persons.

The second part deals primarily with the persons entrusted with the implementation of the service. The graded requirements and responsibilities for the staff are clearly outlined. The third part of the standard looks at the general requirements for the service results and the documentation required.

Action required from client and service provider

In general, the clients for services on safety systems are obliged only to engage qualified specialist companies. Apart from the standard qualification certificates, proof of observance of the requirements from DIN EN 16763 is an important criterion for clients.

Qualified planners, erectors and maintainers of safety systems must have the opportunity to prove their expertise, know-how and a high level of service on the basis of the new standard.

The service for fire safety systems has been standardised in Europe by the introduction of DIN EN 16763. Apart from the tested fire protection technology products, it is now possible with immediate effect with the assistance of the uniform application regulations to prove a high service level on the part of planners, erectors and maintainers of smoke and heat extraction systems and hold-open systems. The first certifications are already available.

Kurt Seifert, managing director BTR Brandschutz Technik GmbH, Hamburg and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the GRW Quality Association Smoke and Heat Extraction Systems.

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