The new standards have been introduced by CENELEC to meet growing demands from both end users and installers for EN-compliant products. The Euro standards will gradually replace existing national standards across Europe, while also extending to European nations that currently don’t enjoy an established standard of their own.
In essence, the basic aim of the new EN standards is to guarantee a consistently high level of performance for electronic security systems throughout Europe.
Self-declaration of compliance
Commenting on the independent testing, Darren Cox – intrusion product manager for Bosch Security Systems – said: “For these new standards to gain credibility and become widely accepted throughout the industry, it’s essential for products to be tested by independent laboratories and not the manufacturers themselves. A self-declaration of compliance to EN 50131 provides absolutely no guarantee of product quality or features. For this reason, many national laboratories such as the Centre Nationale de Prevention et de Protection (CNPP) in France, VdS in Germany and Belgium’s ANPI have already initiated product testing based on the available EN standards and technical specifications.”
Cox continued: “Bosch is a strong supporter of the EN 50131 standards as an important quality label on which installers, distributors and end users can rely. We are one of the first companies to have submitted products and systems for independent compliance testing.”
The CNPP laboratories have recently tested the Bosch Blue Line and Tri-Focus Professional Series motion detectors as well as the wLSN wireless technology and EasySeries alarm panel. All of the products submitted passed the relevant tests. “Those test reports are available on request to provide a guarantee of product quality,” added Cox. “That guarantee isn’t based on a self-declaration but on rigorous testing by an independent organization.”
Currently, requirements and test procedures are available for alarm systems (EN 50131-1), passive infrared detectors (EN 50131-2-2), passive infrared/microwave detectors (EN 50131-2-4), alarm panels (EN 50131-3), warning devices (EN 50131-4), wireless links for alarm systems (EN 50131-5-3) and power supplies (EN 50131-6). Opening contacts (TS 50131-2-6) and combined passive infrared/ultrasonic detectors (TS 50131-2-5) are in preparation to be published as EN standards. Others will follow, including requirements for transmission systems and related products for alarm systems.
New chairman of the Board of Management
Bosch Security Systems has also announced that Gert van Iperen has become the chairman of the company. He succeeds Uwe Glock, who has been the head of Bosch Security Systems since 2001 and now moves to the chairmanship of Bosch Thermotechnology.
van Iperen has been a member of the Board of Management of Bosch Security Systems and responsible for the worldwide product business since 2005. The acquisition of the Philips subsidiary Communication Security and Imaging BV (CSI) in 2002 first brought him to the company. From 2002-2005, he assumed direct accountability for video surveillance system products at Bosch Security Systems.
Peter Ribinski – who served as president of Bosch Security Systems Inc in North America from 2001-2005 – has replaced van Iperen and now oversees the global business units responsible for security systems product development. Most recently, Ribinski served as a member of the Bosch Power Tools divisional board, and was responsible for the production and logistics divisions.
Shanghai World Financial Centre contract
Bosch Security Systems’ digital Praesideo Public Address (PA) and emergency sound system is being installed in the prestigious new Shanghai World Financial Centre. At 492 meters, the Centre is currently the world’s third tallest building. The structure features three floors of underground parking and shops, a Conference Centre on floors one to five, offices on floors seven to 77, a hotel on floors 79 through 93 and, last but not least, observation and exhibition areas on floors 94 through to 100.
Construction has taken over a decade and, since the events of 9/11, the tower was redesigned to withstand disasters such as an aeroplane crash. Other critical safety features have also been added, including 12 fireproof refuge areas and two external elevators.
The Praesideo digital PA and Emergency Sound System is one of the latest safety features to be added to the construction. The whole installation comprises four Praesideo systems covering several zones, including the office areas, the main body and conference areas and the hotels. There are 26 call stations including four customer-designed call stations, six CobraNet Interfaces for long-distance high-quality communication and over 200 Bosch (124 W, 250 W and 500 W) LBB series power amplifiers with each speaker line fully under supervision at any time.
Bosch ranked 8th in Superbrand showdown
The results of a UK brand survey released yesterday reveal that Bosch has been voted the 8th most popular brand out of a potential 500 companies.
In the 2007-2008 Superbrand survey, Bosch was ranked in the 120th position – leaving the company 112 places higher than last year.
According to the Superbrands Council, the definition of a Superbrand is as follows: ‘A Superbrand has established the finest reputation in its field. It offers customers significant emotional and tangible advantages over other brands, which (consciously or sub-consciously) customers want and recognise’.
When considering the reason for such a huge jump up the ranking board in 2008, Robert Bosch’s managing director Robert Meier said: “Bosch has a long history in the UK and has become a brand that people trust and associate with quality and reliability. In today’s tough economic environment, people want to know more than ever that they are getting value for money and a product that is built to last the distance. “I think this year’s fantastic result in the Superbrand survey really demonstrates their recognition of these characteristics in Bosch products and it has allowed us to claim our place in the Top 10”.
The Superbrand survey takes place annually. Brands are presented to consumers and they are asked to rank their favourite based on their perceptions of the brand’s quality, reliability and distinction.
The national Superbrands 2008-2009 supplement will be published with the Sunday Telegraph on 14 September 2008.
