DIN VDE V 0825-11 "Equipment and test requirements for personal emergency signal systems using public telecommunications networks" is a preliminary standard that specifies requirements for wireless personal emergency signal systems that use public telecommunications infrastructures.
It plays a central role in occupational health and safety, as it creates a normative framework that makes it possible to develop, test and certify emergency call systems.
This ensures that they meet the highest safety standards and thus provide employees with the best possible protection in lone working situations.
The most important facts in brief
✓ DIN VDE V 0825-11 specifies requirements for wireless personal emergency signal systems that use public telecommunications networks.
✓ It defines the minimum requirements for the functionality and safety of these emergency call systems, including trigger times, locating functions and alarm signals.
✓ The standard is particularly relevant for occupational safety when working alone, as it improves safety and protection mechanisms for employees in dangerous situations.
What do DIN VDE and PNA-11 stand for?
DIN VDE standards
The "generally recognized rules of technology" have an almost binding status and are defined by the German Electrotechnical Commission (DKE), which is supported by the Association of German Electrical Engineers (VDE), in cooperation with the German Institute for Standardization (DIN).
The VDE regulations and VDE guidelines are included in the German body of standards as DIN standards. VDE pre-standards, on the other hand, are not classified as standards but as pre-standards and are therefore not part of the German body of standards.
PNA-11
A personal emergency signal system (PNA-11), in accordance with the preliminary standard "Equipment and test requirements for personal emergency signal systems using public telecommunications networks", is an emergency call system that is used to protect employees who work alone at changing locations and are exposed to specific hazards during their work.
These systems use public telecommunications networks such as mobile radio for signal transmission and consist of at least one personal emergency signal device (PNG-11) and one receiving device (EE).
The EE receives and logs the incoming alarms. It also ensures radio link monitoring to the PNG-11.
Depending on requirements, additional equipment such as beacon transmitters may be required to localize the PNG-11.
What does DIN VDE V 0825-11 say?
Minimum requirements for personal emergency signal systems
The standard is particularly important for the use of PNAs using public telecommunications networks, as it specifies the minimum requirements for their use.
These include the trigger times for different alarm types, locating the PNG, repeating the alarm until acknowledgement of receipt, displaying the alarm time in the EE and checking the signals between the PNA-11 and EE.
In addition to the red emergency signal button, personal emergency signal devices must also include an alarm function that is independent of the user's will, such as a silence alarm and a resettable pre-alarm.
Each time operation is started, it is necessary to carry out a functional test of the PNG beforehand, during which the various alarm triggering types and the localization function are tested. The power supply must be guaranteed for 12 hours of operation including 30 minutes of voice communication.
In the event of an alarm, the PNG-11 emits an optical and acoustic signal for localization and establishes an automatic voice connection to the EE. Radio link monitoring between the PNG and EE must be carried out regularly using a monitoring function integrated in the PNA-11.
A failure must always be signaled by a technical alarm. A PNG must trigger the personal alarm until the acknowledgement of receipt of the EE is displayed.
User information
The user information ensures that the device is used correctly. It must be written in the user's national language and be easy to understand. The use of symbols is also recommended.
All important information from the manufacturer must be included.
Examinations
The tests ensure that wireless personal emergency signal systems meet all required standards and include metrological procedures. However, visual or functional tests are often sufficient. Trigger times are also checked using time measurements.
Where does DIN VDE V 0825-11 apply?
The standard plays a particularly important role when working alone, as wireless personal emergency signal systems are used to protect employees and must function properly.
The standard also defines specific test requirements for personal emergency signaling systems that use non-public communication networks.
However, it does not replace any national occupational health and safety regulations, but sets out specific standards for the use of PNAs and complements other occupational health and safety regulations, such as DGUV Rule 112 139.
May only tested personal emergency signal systems be used?
The use of untested PNAs is generally permitted, as personal emergency signal systems (PNAs) are not considered personal protective equipment in accordance with the EU PPE Regulation 2016/425 and are therefore not subject to statutory testing.
However, the employer must ensure that the planned work equipment is suitable for complying with occupational health and safety regulations.
If the risk assessment shows that a personal emergency signal system is suitable for monitoring dangerous lone working, it is important to use it accordingly.
PNAs that meet the requirements of DGUV Rule 112-139 "Use of personal emergency signal systems" are considered suitable. This generally applies to PNAs that comply with the pre-standards DIN VDE V 0825-1 or DIN VDE V 0825-11 and have successfully undergone a type test.
