Standards
EN300 220-2: 2010 – Category 1 radio receiver
The above standard came into force on the 15th February 2010 and replaced the previous Class 1 radio standard. The new standard states that all ‘Social alarm receivers shall meet the following requirements for Category 1 receivers' and goes on to list the specific Category 1 requirements for social alarms.
Tunstall gives priority to compliance with current and emerging standards and has been complying with EN 300 220-2 receiver standard for a number of years.
As a result, Tunstall can confirm that independent laboratory testing has shown that its telecare/social alarm radio receiving equipment (including Lifeline home units and Communicall grouped housing systems) is compliant with the new EN300 220-2 Category 1 standard, and thereby maintains CE-marking. This will assure purchasers and users of Tunstall products that they are designed to the latest applicable safety standards. Independent test lab certification can be made available on request.
Whilst Tunstall does provide service and support for other suppliers' equipment, we can not provide reassurance on Category 1 compliance for those other products, and recommend that providers contact the equipment supplier direct for the necessary certification.
Background to Category 1
The upgraded EN300 220-2 V2.3.1 standard, which came into effect on 15th February 2010, classifies radio receivers into three categories 1, 2 and 3. It states that Category 2 and 3 receivers should be used only for devices where failure to operate would cause ‘inconvenience to persons’ and as such is not deemed as a safety hazard. Category 1 receivers are for use within ‘Highly reliable short range devices (SRD) serving human life inherent systems [where failure] may result in a physical risk to a person’ .
It is for this reason that EN 300 220-2 mandates Category 1 for social/telecare alarms as follows: ‘ Social alarm receivers shall meet the following requirements for Category 1 receivers’ and goes on to list the specific Category 1 requirements for Social Alarms.
Category 1 receivers are specifically designed to ensure radio transmissions from related devices are picked up reliably and are not interfered with by transmissions from other radio devices. This means that signals from personal radio triggers carried by service users and telecare sensors within their homes are picked up reliably by the telecare / social alarm and are not blocked by other transmissions therefore ensuring the safety of service users.
For further information please email us.