BS 5839-1:2002+A2:2008Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings

BS 5839-1:2002+A2:2008 provides recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in and around buildings, other than dwellings. It does not recommend whether or not a fire alarm system should be installed in any given premises. Recommendations for fire detection and alarm systems in dwellings are given in BS 5839-6.

The term fire detection and alarm systems, in the context of this part of BS 5839, includes systems that range from those comprising only one or two manual call points and sounders to complex networked systems that incorporate a large number of automatic fire detectors, manual call points and sounders, connected to numerous inter-communicating control and indicating panels.

The term also includes systems that are capable of providing signals to initiate the operation of other fire protection systems and equipment (such as fire extinguishing systems, smoke control systems or automatic door release equipment) or safety measures (such as shut down of air handling systems, closing of oil or gas valves, or grounding of lifts).

Principal changes made within the revision include:

• the need for the level of protection to be based on a fire risk assessment by a competent person is recognized
• the use of automatic fire detection as part of a fire engineering solution is recognized
• the use of new technologies, such as multi-sensor detection, is addressed
• new methods of fire detection, including carbon monoxide detection and video smoke detection, are taken into account
• a new section, devoted to the limitation of false alarms by appropriate system
  design, system management and improved technology has been added
• recommendations for networked systems, particularly in respect of cable
  types, are included
• the code of practice has been simplified

A new edition of the guidebook for BS 5839-1 will be available in Autumn 2008. It is currently being updated to cover the requirements of the 2008 fire safety regulations.