Its introduction is causing headaches - and considerable expense - for the UK and European manufacturing sector. The UK is one of only three of the EU's 27 member states where EN54 is yet to become law, but that will change in April 2011.
The complexity of the EN54 regulations, and the demands it places on manufacturers for testing, are onerous, especially in systems incorporating equipment from different manufacturers.
The situation is not improved by widespread uncertainty as to exactly how, when and where it will come into effect, leading one manufacturer, Penton UK, to produce an 'FAQ' leaflet designed to answer typical questions from consultants on this issue, such as how EN54 affects future voice alarm installations, and what buildings or organisations the European Directive has stated must be covered by a voice alarm system.
Penton UK Managing director Kevin Tester told PLASA, "There is considerable confusion in the installation industry about the ins and outs of compliance. We get asked a lot of questions about it, as we are currently investing in having 32 of our loudspeakers certified, so to make it simpler we've condensed the information into a flyer."
Visitors to PLASA 2010 will find many sources of good advice on the subject of EN54. The show will host a suite of seminars focusing on the issue, plus there is a dedicated area of the show floor where some of the leading companies that are already compliant, or working towards it, will be, complete with a networking area for visitors and exhibitors wishing to get a drink and unravel the issues together.
Four Education & Learning Programme sessions on Monday 13 September cover various aspects of EN45. Presenters are ISCE (10:00-10:40), AMS Acoustics / Intertek (11:00-12:00), The Institute of Acoustics (17:00-18:00) and Peter Mapp (13:00-14:00). More details will be posted on the PLASA Show website.
Among the companies that are either EN54 compliant or are in the process of achieving compliance are Ateis (Stand ISCE18), Baldwin Boxall (ISCE1) - who will also host a bar for show visitors, Bosch (ISCE17), Funktion 1 (1-F36), Intertek (1-D36), Penton UK (ISCE16), DNH World- Wide Ltd (ISCE 2) and Polar Audio (1-F2).
PLASA technical resources manager Ron Bonner notes, "One of the more worrying aspects is that certification is really for systems, not individual items of kit; so being able to mix and match a Soundweb with a QSC amplifier or a Peavey Nion with an HP network switch will not be as easy as it has been up to now."
He adds, "The landscape concerning speakers for PA/VA use suddenly and dramatically changed with the introduction of EN54 Part 24 (2008). It is proving a headache for manufacturers as they try to get their products tested to meet its requirements, which include test methods and performance criteria for passive loudspeakers.
"Its specific requirements are taking a great deal of time and money to implement. There is a real danger the costs will drive smaller businesses out of the market, let alone those trying to get into the market, as they will have to shell out sums in the region of £15k per product, not to mention the additional costs associated with the increased burden on the factory."
PLASA 2010 seminar places can be booked at www.plasashow.com/education.
(Jim Evans)
