LIFE PROTECTION CATEGORIES
| Category | Activation Method | Alarm Devices (sounders) |
| M | MCP (Manual Call Point) | Throughout |
| ENHANCED M | AFD where specified + MCP | Throughout |
| L4 | MCP + AFD (Automatic Fire Detection) on escape routes and escape stairways only | Throughout |
| L3 | MCP + AFD as L4 + AFD in rooms opening onto escape routes | Throughout |
| L2 | MCP + AFD as L3 + AFD in other areas of high risk | Throughout |
| L1 | MCP + AFD throughout | Throughout |
PROPERTY PROTECTION CATEGORIES
| Category | Activation Method | Alarm Devices |
| P1 | AFD throughout | Where required |
| P1/M | AFD throughout + MCP | Throughout |
| P2 | AFD where specified | Where required |
| P2/M | AFD where specified + MCP | Throughout |
LIFE PROTECTION CATEGORY L5
| Category | Activation Method | Alarm Devices |
| L5 | AFD where specified | Throughout |
| L5/M | AFD where specified + MCP | Throughout |
| For category L5, the person or organisation doing the specification or the risk assessment takes on the legal responsibility.For complex systems, this requires serious design ability, risk assessment procedures, knowledge of fire safety engineering and professional indemnity insurance. | ||
The installation company should not choose the category of the system. You should provide the designer with your chosen category (usually determined by your fire risk assessment). The designer’s job is to ensure the system technically meets the prescribed category.
See this short video for a brief overview.