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Protect your business with a reliable, BS 5839-compliant fire alarm system.
From installation to maintenance, we ensure your fire detection system meets legal requirements and keeps your property, employees, and customers safe.
Whether you need a new system, servicing, or compliance checks, our experts are here to help.
Fire alarms aren’t just about ticking a compliance box—they’re about keeping people safe and protecting your property from fire risks.
A well-designed fire alarm system can make all the difference in an emergency, providing early warning and helping to prevent loss of life and damage to buildings.
The process starts with a fire risk assessment, identifying potential fire hazards and ensuring your building has the right level of fire detection in place.
From there, a competent fire alarm engineer will design a system tailored to your premises, ensuring full compliance with BS 5839-1 and BS 7671.
Once installed, regular maintenance and testing are essential to make sure your fire alarm system is always working as it should.
Fire alarm systems are essential for a wide range of premises, including:
Under BS 5839-1BS 5839-1 classifies fire alarm systems into different categories based on the level of protection required:
Category M – Manual fire alarm systems where alarms are activated by people via call points.
Category L (Life Protection):
L1 – Maximum coverage, detectors in all areas.
L2 – Detectors in escape routes and high-risk areas.
L3 – Detectors in escape routes and adjacent rooms.
L4 – Detectors in escape routes only.
L5 – Custom systems designed for specific fire risks.
Category P (Property Protection):
P1 – Full building protection with detectors in all areas.
P2 – Detectors only in high-risk areas.
To ensure compliance with BS 5839-1, fire alarm systems must be:
Designed & Installed Correctly – A thorough fire risk assessment determines the right system for your premises.
Regularly Maintained – Systems should be inspected every six months, by a competent engineer, to ensure reliability.
Tested Weekly – Businesses should conduct a weekly fire alarm test to check system functionality.
Commissioned by a Competent Engineer – A commissioning certificate should be issued upon installation.
Fire alarm systems can be installed using either wired or wireless technology, depending on the building’s needs, layout, and specific fire risks.
Both options comply with BS 5839-1 and have their own advantages:
Wired Fire Alarm Systems – Traditional hardwired systems offer reliability and durability. They are ideal for new builds or properties where cabling can be easily installed. These systems require structured wiring but provide a long-term, stable fire detection solution.
Wireless Fire Alarm Systems – Using radio signals to connect detectors, call points, and alarm sounders, wireless systems offer flexibility and minimal disruption during installation. They are particularly useful for historic buildings, listed properties, and sites where running cables is impractical.
Regardless of the system type, professional installation ensures full compliance with BS 5839-1 and BS 7671, guaranteeing that fire alarms are correctly positioned, fully operational, and regularly tested for reliability.
We install and maintain fire alarm systems from a wide range of leading manufacturers, including EMS, C-Tec, FireSafe, Menvier, and more.
Our expertise ensures that your system is set up correctly and maintained to the highest standards.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that all non-domestic buildings have a suitable fire detection and warning system.
Non-compliance can result in fines, legal action, or business closure.
Ensure your fire alarm system is safe, compliant, and fully operational.
✔ BS 5839-compliant fire alarm inspections & servicing
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Ensuring your fire alarm system complies with BS 5839 is essential for protecting lives and property.
In this section, we answer common questions about fire alarm system categories, legal requirements, installation, maintenance, and testing.
Whether you need guidance on selecting the right fire alarm system, understanding routine inspections, or ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations, our FAQs provide expert advice to help keep your premises safe and legally compliant.
BS 5839 is the British Standard that provides guidance on the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems in buildings.
It ensures that fire alarms are effective in detecting and alerting occupants to fires, reducing risks to life and property.
Compliance with BS 5839 is essential for meeting legal and insurance requirements.
In the UK, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 mandates that businesses and landlords conduct fire risk assessments to determine if a fire alarm system is required.
Most commercial buildings, HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation), and care homes legally require a fire detection and alarm system.
BS 5839 categorises fire alarm systems based on their purpose:
L (Life Protection) Systems: Installed to protect occupants.
P (Property Protection) Systems: Installed to protect property and assets.
The right system depends on your building type, use, and fire risk assessment.
Your system must be designed, installed, commissioned, and maintained according to BS 5839 standards.
Regular inspections and servicing by a qualified engineer will confirm compliance.
Keeping proper documentation, such as test logs and service records, is also crucial.
The Responsible Person (business owner, employer, landlord, or building manager) is legally responsible for ensuring fire safety compliance, including maintaining a suitable fire alarm system.
Fire risk assessments should determine the necessary safety measures.
This depends on factors such as building size, layout, and fire risks.
Smoke detectors, heat detectors, beam detectors, and aspirating systems are commonly used.
A professional fire risk assessment can determine the best solution for your needs.
Need help? Call us on 01276 300 351 for advice.
Addressable systems are recommended for large or complex buildings, whereas conventional systems are suitable for smaller premises.
Fire alarm systems should be reviewed regularly as part of a fire risk assessment. Systems typically last 10-15 years, but upgrades may be needed sooner due to:
Fire alarm systems should be reviewed regularly as part of a fire risk assessment.
Systems typically last 10-15 years, but upgrades may be needed sooner due to:
A designated person should activate a different manual call point each week, check that the alarm sounds correctly, and record the test in a fire logbook.
Any faults must be reported and fixed immediately.
You should maintain a fire alarm logbook, recording:
These records are essential for compliance and fire safety inspections.
Frequent false alarms can be caused by:
A fire alarm engineer can diagnose and resolve the issue. Preventative maintenance also helps reduce false alarms.
You should maintain a fire alarm logbook, recording:
These records are essential for compliance and fire safety inspections.
A fire safety inspector may issue an Enforcement Notice, requiring corrective action within a specified timeframe.
In serious cases, non-compliance can lead to fines or business closure.
BS 5839 recommends integrating fire alarms with emergency lighting, sprinkler systems, and automatic door releases to ensure a coordinated fire response.
A fire safety consultant can advise on proper integration.
Yes. Fire alarm monitoring services alert a remote centre, which can notify emergency services if the alarm activates, providing 24/7 protection.
This is highly recommended for high-risk premises.
Non-compliance with fire safety laws can result in:
Ensuring your fire alarm system meets BS 5839 standards is essential for safety and legal compliance.
Got questions about electrical safety, fire alarms, or compliance testing? Let’s chat!
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