2011-01-28: 79/336/RVD – Report of voting on 79/327/FDIS: IEC 62642-8 Ed1: Alarm systems – intrusion and hold-up systems – Part 8: Security fog device/systems
This dry ‘legalese’ announced the adoption of a worldwide standard for security fogging and the culmination of 20 years’ effort on the part of members of the security fogging industry.
Most of us will be familiar with the BSI (British Standards Institution) and the work it carries out. Fewer will recognise the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission).
This Swiss-based commission is the world’s leading organisation that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.
Mind boggling in scope and scale
I’m sure we can all agree that the scope and scale of security-related equipment is mind boggling. Every day, we are bombarded with adverts and editorial coverage announcing the latest addition to the security arsenal.
Large alarm providers will devote whole departments to assessing different products. Many smaller companies will instead rely on the classification and accreditation of products to ensure they meet legal and industry standards.
Security smoke is no exception. When it first appeared in 1990, it was greeted with a mixture of enthusiasm and suspicion. For every ten risk managers who applauded the innovation, there was always one individual with concerns about safety and liability.
Also, and as is often the case with other successful products, once the concept grew in popularity so the number of suppliers increased.
Well-known names like Concept Smoke Screen and Smokecloak were joined by less well-known manufacturers, many with their origins in the Far East and China.
Ludicrous claims by some sellers
Security fogging was a new concept. Buyers unfamiliar with it could be swayed by ludicrous claims made on the part of some sellers.
Systems touted as the most powerful on the market would often turn out to be little more than modified disco machines.
There were also concerns about safety. Is the smoke safe to breathe? Where can smoke machines be used? Will it affect my computers?
All questions asked with enquirers relying on the honesty of the manufacturer to provide reliable information.
In 1998, the British Security Industry Association, in conjunction with the BSI, set up a working group to try and formulate a British Standard.
Earlier attempts had been made by the French CNPP and home-grown organisations such as the Association of British Insurers.
British Standard 7939:1999
The BSIA brought together industry representatives from Concept Smoke Screen and Smokecloak, national alarm companies, insurers, police and the fire brigades.
After a surprisingly short period of time, BS 7939:1999 was produced.
For the first time, a standard was available to insurers and alarm providers enabling them to assess different security smoke products.
The standard also provided a framework for safe use and good practice.
Later on – and largely due to the efforts of one man by the name of Paul Dards – CENELEC (the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation) formed WG10 to try and reach European consensus on a European Standard under the umbrella EN 50131.
Admiration and amazement
Having served for several years on Working Group 10, I was struck by two things: admiration for the convenors and representatives of organisations supporting this activity and amazement that any European Standard is ever finished at all!
The process of standardisation is detailed and not for the faint-hearted. Meetings can stall on a word, and consensus is often impossible to achieve. Passions can reach boiling point, while partisanship sometimes outstrips pragmatism.
Then, once the format and content of the standard is agreed, the consultation period starts. This can often produce variation and amendments, all of which have to be resubmitted and agreed.
As the standard progresses up the slippery pole, so the consultation becomes broader and more wide-ranging.
Then, often years after the commencement of the exercise success, the standard is adopted worldwide (usually with the bland legalese that started this article).
Confidence in compliance
Is it worth the effort? Absolutely. You can now view security smoke products with confidence.
Compliance with the relevant standard provides the reassurance to concerns and questions that hundreds of individuals and organisations will have mulled over.
What makes it safe? How can it be effectively employed? Most importantly, how can I compare one product with another and make a reliable judgement?
Compliance with standards protects us all from rogue products and opportunist suppliers who may put profit before honesty and safety.
An insight into technology
Standards provide benchmarks and an insight into technology that may otherwise baffle and confuse.
On a personal level, would I participate in another Working Group? Probably.
It’s a bit like childbirth (or so my wife tells me). The satisfaction of participating in the process of producing an IEC standard overcomes all of the grey hairs and worry lines gained during the process.
