BS EN 50518:2019

What is BS EN 50518- Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centre (MARC) about? 

BS EN 50518 is a European standard that discusses MARCs. The main aim of BS EN 50518 is to ensure alarm and warning systems generate a timely response in an emergency. 

BS EN 50518 specifies the minimum requirements for monitoring, receiving, and processing alarm messages generated by alarm systems taking place as a part of the total fire, safety, and security solution. 

BS EN 50518 gives requirements for two categories of ARC, category I and category II. A category I ARC will be designed, constructed, and operated to a higher standard with respect to construction, security, and integrity than a category II ARC. 

BS EN 50518 does not apply to: 

• Alarm systems used for non-civil purposes 
• Alarm systems for medical or health applications 

Who is BS EN 50518 – MARC for? 

BS EN 50518 on MARC is relevant to: 

• Alarm receiving centres (ARC) 
• ARC operators 
• Manufacturers of alarm transmission equipment 
• Fire and safety departments 
• Police 
• Insurers 
• Law enforcement agencies 
• Incident management teams 

Why should you use BS EN 50518 - MARC? 

Alarm information generated by systems is regularly transmitted to one or more ARCs for further processing, evaluation and intervention. The central locations where the receiving, processing and initiation of intervention take place should comply with the requirements of BS EN 50518 to ensure optimal functionality and use.  

BS EN 50518 covers ARCs handling messages from security and non-security applications. Security applications (Category I) include: 

• VSS in security applications that require an emergency response  
• People monitoring, lone workers and object tracking systems for security applications 
• Alarm messages handled by category II ARCs 

Non-security applications (Category II) include: 

• Fire alarm systems 
• Fixed firefighting systems 
• Social alarm systems 
• Audio/video door entry systems 
• VSS in non-security applications (for example traffic flow) 
• People monitoring, lone workers and object tracking systems for non-security applications 
• Lifts emergency systems 
• Combinations of the above systems 

BS EN 50518-compliant MARCs can prevent incidences of disruptive events that discontinue orderly ARC activities. Disruptions arising from failure of power supply, inbound and outbound communication systems, intrusion into premises and physical attack, amongst others, can be prevented. 

In all of these circumstances, criminal action and/or emergency situations can jeopardize the safety and security of people and/or properties. BS EN 50518-compliant MARCs can prevent incidents of delayed or false alarms, thus avoiding unwanted consequences.  

What’s changed since the last update? 

EN 50518:2019 supersedes BS EN 50518‑1:2013, BS EN 50518‑2:2013 and BS EN 50518‑3:2013, which are withdrawn. The following significant technical changes are: 

• Referenced based standards were updated to the latest versions 
• Definitions were updated 
• The scope was extended to include fire, access, CCTV, social alarms, and other alarms 
• Two categories of ARC’s are described, category I and category II. A category I ARC will be designed, constructed, and operated to a higher standard with respect to construction, security, and integrity than a category II ARC 
• A chapter was added that describes the management tools that shall be in place in the ARC 
• An informative annexe was added which describes security and technical implications of remote access to ARC data