I need a Fire Alarm System
We’ve compiled a table to help you identify what system you might need. If you get through this table and you’re none wiser than when you first read it, I suggest you call us and we can help you.
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BS:5839 Part 1 Systems (for commercial premises)
Category M Systems (life safety for commercial premises)
Category M systems (manual call points) are manual systems and, therefore, incorporate no automatic fire detectors.
L Systems (life safety for commercial premises)
Category L systems are automatic fire detection and fire alarm systems intended for the protection of life. They are further subdivided into L1 to L5, with L1 being the highest standard of detection:
- Category L5: automatic fire detection in designated areas (no requirement for manual call points)
- Category L4: manual call points + automatic fire detection on escape routes
- Category L3: manual call points + automatic fire detection on escape routes + automatic fire detection in rooms opening onto escape routes
- Category L2: manual call points + automatic fire detection on escape routes + automatic fire detection in rooms opening onto escape routes + automatic fire detection in areas of high fire risk
- Category L1: manual call points + automatic fire detection in all areas
Category P systems (property protection for commercial premises)
Category P systems are automatic fire detection and fire alarm systems intended for the protection of property. They are further subdivided into P1 and P2, with P1 being the highest standard of detection:
- Category P2: systems installed in one or more rooms, or as extensive as complete floors. Category P2 systems provide early warning of fire in areas of high fire hazard level, or areas in which the risk to property or business continuity from fire is high
- Category P1: systems installed in one or more rooms, or as extensive as complete floors. Category P2 systems provide early warning of fire in areas of high fire hazard level, or areas in which the risk to property or business continuity from fire is high systems installed throughout all areas of the building, and offers the earliest possible warning of fire and minimise the time between ignition and the arrival of fire service.
BS:5839 Part 6 Systems (for domestic premises)
BS 5839 part 6 covers the following domestic building types:
- Bungalows
- Multi-storey houses
- Individual flats
- Individual maisonettes
- Mobile homes
- Individual sheltered accommodation as well as their common parts
- Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
- Certain NHS housing in the community
- Mansions
- Shared houses
- Houses divided into several self-contained single-family dwelling units
- Note: Not included are hostels, caravans, boats (other than permanently moored) and communal parts of blocks or flats or maisonettes.
Category LD Systems
The designation “LD” is intended only for the protection of life domestic premises.
Category LD systems are subdivided into LD1 – LD3 with LD1 being the highest standard of detection:
- Category LD1: a system installed throughout the premises, incorporating detectors in all circulation spaces that form part of the escape routes from the premises, and in all rooms except toilets, bathrooms and shower rooms
- Category LD2: a system incorporating detectors in all circulation spaces that form part of the escape routes from the premises, and in all specified rooms or areas that present a high fire risk to occupants (see Clause 4 of BS:5839-6 for more information)
- Category LD3: a system incorporating detectors in all circulation spaces that form part of the escape routes from the premises.
Category PD System
The designation “PD” is used for the protection of property in domestic premises and are subdivided into PD1 – PD2 with PD1 being the highest standard of detection:
- Category PD1: a system installed throughout the premises, incorporating detectors in all rooms and areas in which fire might start, other than toilets, bathrooms and shower rooms
- Category PD2: a system incorporating detectors only in defined rooms or areas of the premises in which the risk of fire to property is judged to warrant their provision
- Possible warning of fire and minimise the time between ignition and the arrival of fire service.