Almost before our May Newsletter had gone to press, the missing standards were published –
The revised PD6662:2010; BS8243:2010 and DD263:2010 all finally hit the streets in May. BS8243 replaces DD243.
As expected, there is a two-year transition period (ie until the end of April 2012), during which either the old or new PD6662 schemes can be used. The choice will, of course, be restricted until equipment compliant with the new standards becomes available.
The changes to control equipment are fairly substantial and the process of upgrading software, testing and working through the manufacturing chain will take a fair amount of time. Keep an eye open for announcements in the Newsletter as to the availability of upgraded Castle equipment.
For most other system components, there is insufficient change in the requirements to force any changes – except to labelling. There may be changes in the way that power supplies are rated. BSIA have published a guide to how the change in standards affects magnetic contacts (see Form 102 from their web site).
