Overview
ISO 7240-21:2005 - "Fire detection and alarm systems - Part 21: Routing equipment" specifies requirements, test methods and performance criteria for fire‑alarm routing (transmitting) equipment and fault (trouble) warning routing equipment used in building fire detection and alarm systems. The standard defines mandatory and optional functions, how routing equipment must indicate functional conditions, and how it should transmit fire and fault signals to receiving stations.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and purpose: Applies to routing equipment that receives signals from control-and-indicating equipment and transmits fire‑alarm signals to fire‑alarm receiving stations and fault signals to fault‑warning receiving stations.
- Functional conditions & indications: Routing equipment must unambiguously indicate these functional states:
- Quiescent, Fire alarm, Supervisory, Fault warning, Disabled, Test
- Multiple functional conditions may be displayed simultaneously (where applicable).
- Indication media:
- Separate light‑emitting indicators and/or alphanumeric displays are permitted.
- Alphanumeric displays must group all fields for a given functional condition in a single window.
- A visible power‑on indicator is required.
- Timing and behaviour:
- Processing of incoming fire signals shall not delay indication of the fire alarm condition at the routing equipment by more than 60 s.
- Indicators must flash on receipt and go steady on acknowledgement from the receiving station.
- Reset from a fire alarm condition must occur automatically when the control-and-indicating equipment is reset; relevant indications must be re-established or remain within 60 s.
- Design, software and access control:
- The standard contains general and specific design requirements, including additional requirements for software‑controlled routing equipment and provisions for access levels (Annex A).
- Optional functions are allowed but, if implemented, all associated requirements apply.
- Testing and documentation:
- Clauses cover environmental and EMC references, required tests, and test reporting procedures.
Applications and who uses it
- Manufacturers of fire‑alarm routing/transmitting and trouble‑routing equipment - to design and certify compliant products.
- System designers and specifiers - to select routing equipment that ensures reliable transmission of alarms and faults to monitoring stations.
- Installers and integrators - for correct installation and commissioning consistent with indication, reset and access requirements.
- Testing laboratories and certification bodies - for type testing and compliance verification.
- Authorities having jurisdiction and building owners - to reference in procurement, safety audits and acceptance testing.
Related standards
- ISO 7240‑1 (General and definitions)
- ISO 7240‑4 (Power supply equipment)
- Normative references included: IEC environmental test series (e.g., IEC 60068), IEC 60529 (IP code), EN 50130‑4 (EMC for alarm systems)
Keywords: ISO 7240-21:2005, fire detection and alarm systems, routing equipment, fire‑alarm routing, fault warning routing, routing equipment standard, alarm transmission, system indications, testing and performance criteria.
