British Standard BS 5839-6:2019+A1:2020 covers specific recommendations for fire alarm systems in all domestic premises and covers both new-build and existing properties. The standard contains a large amount of detail on all aspects relating to the design and installation of fire alarm systems, but one area of it covers the type of alarm to install and the areas of the property to protect.
The changes to BS 5839-6:2019+A1:2020 include new grades covering the different types of alarm system, with Grade C being redefined, Grade D being replaced by D1 and D2 and Grade F replaced by F1 and F2.
What areas should I protect?
The standard states that the level of protection to the occupants needs to be directly related to the fire risk. However it does list three categories of system to describe the level of protection the systems provide. Where and how many alarms are installed will affect how quickly a fire is detected – generally the higher the category of system the higher the level of protection.
All areas where a fire could start, e.g:
Escape routes and high risk areas, such as:
Escape routes, such as:
Across all Categories, alarms should not be installed within toilets, bathrooms or shower rooms.
New Build / Existing
A system of one or more mains powered detectors, each with a tamper-proof standby supply consisting of a battery or batteries.
Heat detectors should be installed in every kitchen. A smoke detector should be installed in the principal habitable room. Where more than one room might be used as the principal habitable room, a smoke detector should be installed in each of these rooms.
Existing
Individual Dwellings – Grade D2 Category LD2Q
Communal Area – Grade A Category L4/L5
Where sheltered housing is upgraded, electrical work such as a rewire is undertaken, or smoke alarms are replaced a Grade D (D1 or D2), Category LD1 system should be installed.
New / Materially Altered
Individual Dwellings – Grade D2 Category LD1J
Communal Area – Grade A Category L4/L5
Detectors may normally be omitted from roof voids unless there are specific significant fire hazards such as gas boilers or electrical equipment for photovoltaic systems.
New Build/Existing
Detectors may normally be omitted from roof voids unless there are specific significant fire hazards such as gas boilers or electrical equipment for photovoltaic systems.
Existing (1-2 Storey)
Heat detectors should be installed in every kitchen. A smoke detector should be installed in the principal habitable room (see 3.28). Where more than one room might be used as the principal habitable room, a smoke detector should be installed in each of these rooms.
New Build (2-3 Storey)
A system of one or more mains-powered detectors, each with an integral standby supply consisting of a user-replacable battery or batteries.
Heat detectors should be installed in every kitchen. A smoke detector should be installed in the principal habitable room. Where more than one room might be used as the principal habitable room, a smoke detector should be installed in each of these rooms.
There is the addition of new Table 3 for testing and servicing by Grade. The aim of this is to bring clarity and simplicity.
Mains powered Carbon Monoxide alarms conforming to BS EN 50291 and installed in compliance with BS EN 50292 may also be interlinked with the fire detection and alarm system if the manufacturer of all the components makes such a recommendation.
If you interconnect Aico Fire and Carbon Monoxide alarms via RF with an Ei450 Alarm Controller, the Ei450 will tell tenants whether the incident is Fire or Carbon Monoxide.
If you interconnect an Aico 3000 Series Carbon Monoxide alarm, the Ei3018, Ei3028 or Ei3030 with Aico 3000 Series Fire Alarms using SmartLINK modules, the whole system will mimic either the Fire or Carbon Monoxide sound depending on what incident has occurred.
Find the information you need in our library of educational and informative resources.
FAQs