NTN 164-I – Application guide for standard NBN S 21-100-1 regarding the demonstration of compatibility according to standard EN 54-13

March 2026

The Belgian standard NBN S 21-100-1 defines the rules of good practice for the installation of fire detection and fire alarm systems. This standard requires that the compatibility of the various components of the system to be installed be demonstrated to comply with standard EN 54-13. Standard EN 54-13 is a European standard published by CEN/TC 72. It defines the compatibility requirements between the various components of such a system.

This Technical Note aims to explain to the installer how these two standards interact in the field.

It comprises three main sections. The first defines the scope of application of standard EN 54-13 within the specific framework of standard NBN S 21-100-1 and describes a series of concrete cases. A second section describes how a future version of standard NBN S 21-100-1 will address the issue of compatibility if certain products are no longer produced and must be replaced by products not included in an EN 54-13 certificate. The final section describes the means of checking compliance.

Annex A presents several case analyses for explanatory purposes. Annexes B and C provide additional information (related to standard EN 54-13) that may be useful.

Regarding the verifications specific to standard EN 54-13, these are not included in this Technical Note. The reader is referred to standard EN 54-13 itself and to the laboratory procedures.

This Technical Note is a revision of the previous version dated September 2016.

In French - Also available in Dutch.

Available in PDF format.