What is BS EN 50134-7 - Social alarm systems about?
BS EN 50134 is a European standard on social alarm systems, that contributes to ensuring that the required level of system integrity and performance are met during an emergency.
BS EN 50134-7 applies to the delivery of social alarms services by organisations, whether through the use of paid or voluntary staff. It does not apply to the use of social alarm systems to enhance informal arrangements between an individual and their close friends and family for the provision of assistance, although it may provide advice on the issues that such individuals may need to consider.
BS EN 50134-7 specifies requirements for social alarm service providers for effective and efficient management, policy and procedures for:
- General requirements
- Marketing
- Sale and referral
- Assessment
- Installation
- Alarm monitoring
- Response arrangement
- Operational records
- Service and maintenance
- Risk management
- Service development and improvement
- Workforce
Who is BS EN 50134-7 - Social alarm systems for?
BS EN 50134-7 on social alarm systems is relevant to:
- Electrical architects
- System designers
- Maintenance companies
- Equipment manufacturers
- Alarm Receiving Centres
- Service providers
- Telecommunications providers
- Housing associations
- Installers
- Local authorities
Why should you use BS EN 50134-7 - Social alarm systems?
A social alarm system provides 24 h facilities for alarm triggering, identification, signal transmission, alarm reception, logging, and 2-way speech communication, which comprises a number of system parts, which can be configured in different ways to provide this functionality.
BS EN 50134-7 describes the service chain functions that are considered to be required to provide safe and effective application of a social alarm system to support persons who can be considered to be at risk. The standard specifies minimum requirements for each of these service chain functions.
With BS EN 50134-7-compliant best industry guidance you can ensure your products offer the required levels of functionality and reliability required by a social alarm system for the successful mitigation of dangerous events.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 50134-7:2017 supersedes CLC/TS 50134-7:2003. As compared to the previous version, following are the key changes:
- Editorial changes and refinement of wording
- Scope – clarification that standard applies to the delivery of alarm services by organizations whether they use paid or volunteer staff
- Additional aspects now covered include – marketing, sale or referral, assessment, service, and maintenance
- Definitions – updated to reflect those used across the 50134 series
- Installation
- Improvement to the requirement for the installation, configuration, and testing of a Local Unit and Controller
- Added requirements for instructions where a self-installation model is provided

