The newly proposed standby power requirements for batteries from the Department of Energy (DOE) could cripple alarm systems by shutting down backup power, according to the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA).
The NBFAA recently submitted comments to the DOE regarding their proposed "Test Procedures for Battery Chargers and External Power Supplies in Standby Mode and Off Mode."
The DOE is expected to announce a final regulation at the end of this year that could adversely impact NBFAA members and their customers.
The NBFAA points out that “… life safety/alarm and security products must be in an "on" position at all times and are never to be used in an "off mode" or "standby mode.” The association requested that the final regulations should include an exemption that reads: “This mode does not apply to power supplies used for security, surveillance, access control and life safety/alarm products.”
“NBFAA supports the goals of the Department of Energy in conserving energy. However, in order for alarm systems to be effective, they must have a constant supply of energy," says NBFAA president Mike Miller.
"Disconnecting them from the power source destroys the purpose and integrity of the system. We hope the Department of Energy will consider our request to exclude security and alarm systems from these provisions."
The DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is proposing to amend its test procedures for battery chargers and external power supplies to include provisions for measuring standby mode and off mode energy consumption, as required by the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007.
The rule would also:
- Add a test procedure for measuring the energy consumption of multiple-voltage external power supplies
- Revise the single-voltage external power supply test procedure
- Extend the current certification reporting requirements to Class A external power supplies for which Congress established energy efficiency standards in the Act
EISA directs the DOE to issue a final rule by July 1, 2011, setting forth energy conservation standards for battery chargers or classes of battery chargers, or determine that no energy conservation standard is technologically feasible and economically justified for battery chargers.