PIDS Standards and Certification

Perimeter intrusion detection systems operate in a regulatory and standards environment that varies significantly by country, sector, and threat level. Understanding which standards apply — and what they require — is essential for specifying, procuring, and evaluating PIDS products and installations.

This guide covers the principal standards and certification frameworks relevant to perimeter detection systems, their scope, and their practical implications for buyers and specifiers.

European Standards

EN 50131-1: Alarm Systems — Intrusion and Hold-Up Systems

The foundational European standard for intruder alarm systems, including perimeter detection. EN 50131-1 defines four security grades based on the capability and determination of the expected intruder:

Grade 1 — Low risk. Intruders expected to have little knowledge of alarm systems. Residential and light commercial.

Grade 2 — Low to medium risk. Intruders expected to have some knowledge. Small commercial and industrial premises.

Grade 3 — Medium to high risk. Intruders expected to be knowledgeable and equipped with portable tools. Commercial, industrial, and some government sites.

Grade 4 — High risk. Intruders expected to plan the attack in detail and have the skills and resources to bypass security systems. Critical infrastructure, military, high-security government.

For PIDS, Grade 3 and Grade 4 are most relevant. Grade 4 in particular requires that sensors resist sophisticated defeat attempts, including slow movement, masking, and environmental manipulation.

EN 50131-1 also defines four environmental classes (I to IV) covering indoor to severe outdoor conditions. Perimeter systems must meet Class IV (full outdoor exposure).

EN 50131-2-X: Detector Standards

Specific parts of EN 50131-2 cover different detector types:

• EN 50131-2-2: Passive infrared detectors
• EN 50131-2-4: Combined detectors (passive IR + microwave)
• EN 50131-2-7-1: Intruder detection glass break detectors

While these parts do not specifically address perimeter fence sensors or radar, the performance testing methodology (detection probability, false alarm rate, environmental robustness) is referenced in PIDS procurement specifications across Europe.

UK Standards and CPNI

Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI)

CPNI (formerly CAST — the Centre for Applied Science and Technology) evaluates and certifies PIDS products for use at UK critical national infrastructure sites. CPNI certification is one of the most rigorous and respected PIDS evaluation processes in the world.

CPNI testing assesses detection probability, nuisance alarm rate, and defeat resistance under controlled conditions at dedicated outdoor test facilities. Products are graded as:

Category 1 — Detects slow, careful intrusion attempts. Highest security grade.

Category 2 — Detects normal-speed intrusion attempts.

Category 3 — Detects running or climbing intrusion attempts.

CPNI grades are not publicly listed with specific product names — certified products are listed on a restricted database available to qualified end users. However, vendors publicly reference their CPNI certification status in marketing materials.

Gallagher's perimeter products received CPNI certification in 2025, expanding the range of CPNI-approved fence detection options available to UK critical infrastructure operators.

BSI PAS 68 / IWA 14-1

While not PIDS-specific, PAS 68 (now superseded by IWA 14-1) certifies physical security products that resist vehicle impact — hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) barriers, bollards, and gates. Perimeter security designs for high-threat sites often combine PIDS with PAS 68-rated physical barriers, and understanding both standards is necessary for integrated perimeter design.

US Standards

UL 2050: National Industrial Security Systems

UL 2050 is the primary US standard governing the installation, service, and maintenance of security systems at facilities that handle classified government information. Administered by Underwriters Laboratories, UL 2050 certification is required for security companies providing monitoring services to Department of Defense (DoD) facilities.

For PIDS, UL 2050 defines requirements for alarm monitoring, signal transmission, and response procedures rather than sensor performance. The sensor performance requirements are typically driven by the facility's security classification level and the responsible government agency's specifications.

ASTM F2656 / DOS SD-STD-02.01

These standards govern vehicle barrier performance for US government facilities. Like PAS 68, they certify physical barriers rather than detection systems, but integrated perimeter designs for US government facilities must comply with both detection (PIDS) and physical barrier (ASTM/DOS) requirements.

NDAA Section 889

Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act prohibits US federal agencies from procuring telecommunications and video surveillance equipment from specified Chinese manufacturers — Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua, among others.

For PIDS, this directly affects the specification of cameras used for alarm verification and integration with perimeter sensors. Systems that rely on Hikvision or Dahua cameras for thermal detection or video analytics cannot be deployed at federal government facilities or by federal contractors. This has driven demand for alternative vendors (FLIR/Teledyne, Axis, Hanwha, SightLogix) in US government perimeter applications.

International Standards

IEC 62676: Video Surveillance Systems

This international standard covers the design, installation, and operation of video surveillance systems. Part 4 specifically addresses application guidelines, including outdoor perimeter surveillance. IEC 62676 provides a framework for specifying camera performance (resolution, sensitivity, frame rate) relative to the desired operational task (detection, recognition, identification).

For PIDS applications, IEC 62676 helps translate operational requirements ("detect a person at 200 metres, identify at 50 metres") into camera specifications (focal length, sensor size, minimum pixel density on target).

ISO 22311: Societal Security — Video Surveillance

ISO 22311 provides guidance on the interoperability of video surveillance systems, including the use of ONVIF profiles for camera-to-VMS communication. Perimeter systems that integrate cameras from multiple vendors benefit from ONVIF compliance, which standardises video streaming, PTZ control, and event notification.

Practical Implications for Buyers

Match the standard to the application. Not every site requires CPNI Grade 1 or EN 50131 Grade 4 detection. Over-specifying drives cost without improving security. A commercial warehouse may need Grade 2 detection; a nuclear facility needs Grade 4 with CPNI certification.

Verify vendor claims. The phrase "meets EN 50131" on a datasheet does not mean the product has been independently tested and certified. Ask for the specific certification body, test report number, and grade achieved.

Consider the full system. Standards typically evaluate individual sensors, not complete systems. A CPNI-certified fence sensor installed on a poorly maintained fence, connected to an unreliable communications network, and monitored by an understaffed control room will not deliver the performance that the sensor certification implies.

Account for regional requirements. A product certified to EN 50131 in Europe may need additional testing or certification for deployment in the US, Middle East, or Asia-Pacific. Procurement specifications should clearly state which standards apply and which certification evidence is required.

Future-proof against regulatory change. NDAA Section 889 restrictions have expanded over time, and similar restrictions are emerging in the UK, EU, and Australia. Specifying NDAA-compliant products now, even where not legally required, reduces the risk of forced replacement later.