Building Regulations are the minimum standards set for the design, construction and alterations to buildings. Fire safety is one of the key sections within the Building Regulations, it outlines the requirements needed to provide an early warning of fire, protection of escape routes, preventing the spread of fire, and providing access to firefighting facilities for the Fire and Rescue Services.

BS 5839

Fire Building Regulations in the UK point towards BS 5839 as the key code of practice for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection. (BS 5836-6 for domestic, and BS5839-1 for non-domestic).

BS 5839-6:2013 categorises different grades and categories of fire detection systems for different types of building. Generally, the greater the fire risk and the more demanding the application required, the more comprehensive the fire safety system needs to be.

Here is a quick overview for specifying a fire detection and fire alarm system:

Grades of system – There are 6 Grades of system, from A to F, with A being the most comprehensive fire detection system. (e.g. what the system comprises).

Category of system – Fire detection systems are divided into different Categories that relate to the level of protection the system provides (e.g. where the detectors are fitted).

Smoke alarm positioning to meet Building Regulations

Building Regulations vary throughout the UK, and so specify different levels of fire safety when installing fire alarm systems. Please refer to:

England and Wales – Building Regulations Document B
Scotland – Fire Technical Handbook – Domestic
Northern Ireland – Technical Handbook
All Building Regulations recommend:

Fire detection systems in residential dwelling should be provided in accordance with the relevant recommendations of BS 5839-6.
All alarms should be mains powered with battery back-up and interlinked to ensure audibility throughout property
(As outlined in BS 5839-6) smoke alarms positioned in circulation areas should be of optical type (or multi-sensor type incorporating an optical sensor).
Here at Firechief, we want you to feel safe. Our mission is to work hard every day to protect lives and property from fire by providing a range of fire safety products that can be trusted to perform when the heat is on.

That’s why as a manufacturer of fire safety products, we focus on quality, reliability and high performance. Bearing the distinctive Firechief brand, our products are UK-designed to be visibly safer and set the standard both in the UK and overseas for top quality, UK-approved fire equipment.

Firechief products carry a range of accreditations such as the BSI Kitemark, LPCB approval, MED certification, CE mark and Apragaz QA.

For more information on our safety products, click here.

To speak to our team, call: 0330 999 0019