BS5839 part 1 2002 states that in order to achieve high reliability and reduce false alarms, the components of a fire detection and alarm system should have third party certification to the relevant
product standard.
According to KAC the word "should" unfortunately allows the use of unapproved and untested call points, which are often promoted with often meaningless statements such as "meets the requirements of", "designed in accordance with" or "conforms to" the relevant EN54 product standard, in this case EN54-11. No reputable fire engineer would consider using unapproved smoke or heat detectors, but call points sometimes seem to be regarded as less important elements of the system.
While untested and unapproved devices are normally sold at a discount, the overall saving on the product itself is generally small; the installed cost can actually be higher because the designs are not particularly conducive to rapid installation: small, difficult to wire terminals, limited space for cables and small securing screws appear to be the norm.
Third party testing by a reputable test house does far more than simply confirm the physical construction and operation of the device. Extensive tests for environmental factors such as operation at elevated temperatures, corrosion tests, EMC tests and shock and vibration are carried out, so a third party test certificate gives the installer and user confidence that the call point conforms in all respects to the requisite standard. KAC stresses that to use non-approved devices is a false economy.