Source: TS EN 12845+A2:2026, Annex H (normative) "Sprinkler systems monitoring", H.1 and H.2.1-H.2.5 (EN p.153), H.2.6 and H.2.7 (EN p.154).
Annex H consists of two main clauses: H.1 General and H.2 Functions to be monitored. There are six sub-headings under H.2 (seven including H.2.1 General). The whole annex runs to two pages; there is no clause H.3 or H.4.
H.1 General
Clause H.1 (EN p.153): the aim of monitoring sprinkler systems is to ensure the continuous operability of the main functions of the system, that is, those whose failure might impair the correct automatic operation of the system in case of fire, and to raise a supervisory alarm so that corrective measures can be taken. This annex specifies requirements that are additional to those elsewhere in the standard.
The numerical provisions of Clause H.1:
| Subject | Provision |
|---|---|
| Degree of protection of monitoring devices | At least IP 54 in accordance with EN 60529 |
| Number of non-addressable supervisory alarm devices that may be connected to a common indication | No more than 15 |
| Signalling and alarm circuits | Shall be fully supervised; a fault alarm shall be given in the event of short or open circuit where this corresponds to a fault |
| Control and indicating equipment | Shall be in accordance with any provision valid in the country in use |
Source: Clause H.1, EN p.153.
H.2 Functions to be monitored
Clause H.2.1 (EN p.153): "The following shall be monitored in addition to all monitoring requirements specified elsewhere in this standard (see Annex I)."
H.2.2 Stop valves controlling water flow to sprinklers
Clause H.2.2 (EN p.153): the position of all stop valves whose closing could prevent adequate water flowing to the sprinklers shall be monitored, including water supply valves, control valve sets, subsidiary valves and sectional valves.
For normally open valves, the alarm shall activate once the valve starts to close.
H.2.3 Other stop valves
Clause H.2.3 (EN p.153): the position of all stop valves whose closing could prevent the correct operation of an alarm or indicating device shall be monitored; the examples given are the pressure switch, the hydraulic alarm and the flow switch.
For normally open valves, the alarm shall activate once the valve starts to close.
H.2.4 Liquid levels
Clause H.2.4 (EN p.153): all critical liquid levels, including water storage tanks and engine fuel tanks, shall be monitored.
| Case | Indication threshold |
|---|---|
| Water storage level | An indication is given before the level drops more than 10% below its nominal fill level |
| Fuel level | An indication is given before the level drops more than 25% below its nominal fill level |
| Pressure tanks | A further indication is given before the level reaches 10% above its nominal fill level |
Source: Clause H.2.4, EN p.153.
H.2.5 Pressures
Clause H.2.5 (EN p.153): pressures shall be monitored, including at water supplies and downstream of all dry and alternate control valve sets.
| Type of supply | Indication threshold |
|---|---|
| Town main supplies | An indication is given if the static pressure drops below the calculated running pressure |
| All other cases | An indication is given if the static pressure drops by more than 20% below the tested level |
Source: Clause H.2.5, EN p.153.
The related provision for the town main is also found in Clause 9.2 (EN p.46): a pressure switch shall be installed on the town main and shall give an alarm when the supply pressure falls to a predetermined value; the switch is located upstream of the non-return valve and is fitted with a test valve (see Annex I and H.2.5).
H.2.6 Electrical power
Clause H.2.6 (EN p.154): the power supply to electrical pump sets or other critical electrical equipment shall be monitored. An indication shall be given if one or more phases fail at any point in the main supply, in the control circuit, in an electric or diesel pump set controller or in any other critical control equipment.
H.2.7 Temperature
Clause H.2.7 (EN p.154): the minimum temperature of the sprinkler valve room and the pump room shall be monitored. An indication shall be given if the temperature drops below the minimum required level.
The minimum required level is given in Clause 10.3.3 (EN p.58): the pump set compartment shall be maintained at or above 4 C for electric driven pump sets and 10 C for diesel driven pump sets. In addition, Clause 8.1.3 (EN p.42) requires the feed pipe and the control valve set to be maintained at a minimum temperature of 4 C.
Alarm type of Annex H signals
The signals of systems monitored under Annex H are listed in Annex I Table I.1 (EN p.156) under the heading "Monitored sprinkler systems - Annex H", and all of them are Type B (fault / technical) alarms:
| Signal | Alarm type |
|---|---|
| Partially closed stop valves | B |
| Liquid levels | B |
| Low pressure | B |
| Power failure | B |
| Low temperature in pump room | B |
Source: Table I.1, EN p.156.
Subjects not covered by Annex H
- Pump running, demand, start failure, common fault and automatic mode off signals. These are in Clause 10.8.5.1 (EN p.65), Clause 10.9.2 (EN p.66) and Annex I Table I.1 (EN p.155).
- Detection triggering of pre-action systems. In Table I.1 this appears as "low pressure, pre-action Type A system, Clause 11.4.1.2" (EN p.155).
- The position of the drain valve. H.2.3 covers only those valves whose closing could prevent the operation of an alarm or indicating device.
- Tank water temperature or freezing monitoring. H.2.7 covers only the minimum temperature of the valve room and the pump room.
- Alarm panel colour coding, event log duration, alarm transmission time, signal delay or hysteresis values. The coloured indication rule exists only for zoned installations, in Clause D.3.7 (EN p.137): green visual indication for the correct position, amber for a fault, red for water flow.
- Monitoring "levels" or response times.
Field note
Field note (engineering interpretation, not from the standard): the two provisions of Annex H most often overlooked in practice are the limit on the number of non-addressable devices that may be connected to a common indication and the requirement that circuits be fully supervised; these constrain the field wiring just as much as the panel itself. In valve monitoring, the wording "once the valve starts to close" means that an arrangement which only signals in the fully closed position is not sufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which functions does Annex H require to be monitored?
TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause H.2 (EN p.153-154) lists six headings: H.2.2 stop valves controlling water flow to sprinklers; H.2.3 other stop valves whose closing could prevent the correct operation of an alarm or indicating device; H.2.4 liquid levels; H.2.5 pressures; H.2.6 electrical power; H.2.7 temperature. These are additional to the monitoring requirements specified elsewhere in the standard.
What degree of protection is required for monitoring devices?
Clause H.1 (EN p.153): all devices used for monitoring shall have at least IP 54 protection as specified in EN 60529. In addition, no more than 15 non-addressable supervisory alarm devices may be connected to a common indication.
What are the thresholds for water and fuel levels?
Clause H.2.4 (EN p.153): an indication shall be given before a water storage level drops more than 10% below its nominal fill level and before a fuel level drops more than 25% below its nominal fill level. In the case of pressure tanks a further indication shall be given before the level reaches 10% above its nominal fill level.
What is the pressure monitoring threshold?
Clause H.2.5 (EN p.153): on town main supplies an indication shall be given if the static pressure drops below the calculated running pressure. In all other cases an indication shall be given when the static pressure drops by more than 20% below the tested level. The pressures to be monitored include those at water supplies and downstream of all dry and alternate control valve sets.
Are pump running and fault signals covered by Annex H?
No. Annex H lists six functional headings; pump set demand, running, start failure and common fault signals are dealt with in Clause 10.8.5.1 and 10.9.2 and in Annex I Table I.1 (EN p.65, 66 and 155).
What does temperature monitoring cover?
Clause H.2.7 (EN p.154): the minimum temperature of the sprinkler valve room and the pump room is monitored; an indication shall be given if the temperature drops below the minimum required level. The minimum required level is given in Clause 10.3.3 (EN p.58): 4 C for electric pump sets and 10 C for diesel pump sets.
References
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause H.1, H.2.1, H.2.2, H.2.3, H.2.4, H.2.5 (EN p.153)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause H.2.6, H.2.7 (EN p.154)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Table I.1 (EN p.155-156)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause 9.2 (EN p.46)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause 10.3.3 (EN p.58)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause 10.8.5.1 (EN p.65)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause 10.9.2 (EN p.66)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause 11.4.1.2 (EN p.68)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause D.3.7 (EN p.137)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause 8.1.3 (EN p.42)
SprinkCalc — Fire Sprinkler Design Across Three Standards
SprinkCalc covers hazard classification, design density and area, K-factor selection, water demand and hydraulic calculations for NFPA 13, FM Global and BS EN 12845 in a single iOS app, and exports a professional PDF report.
Download SprinkCalc on the App Store
MEP Calc — 86+ Engineering Calculators
MEP Calc bundles 86+ engineering modules in one iOS app: 21 fire calculations plus heating, cooling, HVAC, plumbing, steam and natural gas.
Download MEP Calc on the App StoreTS EN 12845+A2:2026 (EN 12845:2015+A2:2026) Fixed firefighting systems — Automatic sprinkler systems — Design, installation and maintenance; TS EN 12845-2:2025 (EN 12845-2:2024) ESFR and CMSA sprinkler systems. Every figure in this article is taken from the published standard text; clause, table and page references are listed under References. General information only, not a substitute for the standard or for a design review.