Domestic Part 6

Domestic Fire Alarms

The statistics for deaths from fires in the UK tell us that 80% of these fires occur in domestic dwellings.

UK Building regulations deal with fire safety in ‘Approved Document B’ which states – ‘Means of warning and escape – B1. The building shall be designed and constructed so that there are appropriate provisions for the early warning of fire, and appropriate means of escape in case of fire from the building to a place of safety outside the building capable of being safely and effectively used at all material times.’

BS5839 part 6:2013 is the relevant standard for fire alarms within dwellings. System grades range from A to F. Most common designs are D,E and F which are systems that do not use a control panel. The most common requirement is for interlinked 230v ac, smoke / heat detectors .

Bedsits, B&B’s and HMO’s are usually required to fit this type of system both under fire-safety legislation and local council requirements.

BS5839 part 6:2013 is divided into categories and grades.

The categories are:

LD1 – Detection / sounders in all circulation areas that form part of the escape route and areas where a fire might start – not bathrooms, shower rooms or toilets
LD2 – Detection / sounders in all circulation areas that form part of the escape route and areas that present a high fire risk
LD3 – Detection / sounders in all circulation areas that form part of the escape route

The available grades are:

Grade A – A full system with control and indicating equipment installed in accordance with BS5839:Part 1
Grade B – Detectors and sounders using fire detectors (other than smoke alarms and heat alarms), fire alarm sounders and Control and Indicating Equipment.
Grade C – Detectors and sounders, one or more mains-powered connected to a central control
Grade D – Mains powered detectors and sounders with an integral stand-by power supply
Grade E – Mains detectors and sounders with no stand-by power supply
Grade F – Battery powered detectors and sounders

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