BS-5839-1 - 1998 - Fire Detection

BRITISH STANDARD BS 5839-1:
1988
Incorporating
Amendment Nos. 1, 2
and 3
Fire detection and

alarm systems for
buildings —
Part 1: Code of practice for system
design, installation and servicing
Licensed copy:HTA Architects, 29/06/2006, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI
BS 5839-1:1988
Committees responsible for this

British Standard
The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Fire Standards
Committee (FSM/–) to Technical Committee FSM/12, upon which the following
bodies were represented:
British Fire Protection Systems Association Ltd.

British Fire Services’ Association
British Telecommunications plc
Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers’ Association
Department of Health and Social Security
Department of the Environment (Building Research Establishment, Fire
Research Station)
Department of the Environment (Property Services Agency)
Department of Transport (Marine Directorate)
Electrical Contractors’ Association
Electrical Installation Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (BEAMA Ltd.)
Fire Insurers’ Research and Testing Organization (FIRTO)

Fire Offices Committee
Fire Protection Association
Home Office
Institution of Electrical Engineers
Institution of Fire Engineers
Ministry of Defence
National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting
Royal Institute of British Architects
Society of Fire Protection Engineers
Trades Union Congress
This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Fire Standards
Committee, was published
under the authority of the
Board of BSI and comes into
effect on
31 May 1988
© BSI 10-1998
First published, as
CP 327.404/402.501,
September 1951
First revision, as CP 1019,
May 1972
Second revision, as BS 5839-1,
Amendments issued since publication
January 1980
Third revision May 1988 Amd. No. Date of issue Comments
6317 January 1991

The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard: 6874 May 1992
Committee reference FSM/12
Draft for comment 86/36284 DC 9257 August 1996 Indicated by a sideline in the margin
ISBN 0 580 16559 0

BS 5839-1:1988
Contents
Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
Foreword ii
Section 1. General
1 Scope 1
2 Definitions 1
3 Types of system 3
4 Exchange of information 5
5 Planning schedule 6
Section 2. Design considerations
6 General 8
7 Zones 13
8 Communications with the fire brigade and other off site
organizations 15
9 Audible and visual alarms 16
10 Manual call points 20
11 Types of fire detector 21
12 Detectors installed primarily for the protection of property (type P) 24
13 Detectors installed primarily for life safety (type L) 29
14 False alarms 32
15 Control equipment 35
16 Power supplies 37
17 Cables, wiring and other interconnections 40
18 Radio-linked systems 44
19 Ancillary services 46
20 Radio and electrical interference 46
Section 3. Workmanship, installation and commissioning
21 Work off site 47
22 Work on site 47
23 Siting and accommodation 47
24 Installation of cables and wires 47
25 Installation of equipment 49
26 Inspection, initial testing, commissioning and certification of
systems 49
27 Extensions and alterations to existing systems 50
Section 4. User responsibilities
28 General 52
29 Servicing 53
Appendix A Automatic connection to the fire brigade 58
Appendix B Model certificate of installation and commissioning of a
fire alarm system 60
Appendix C Model certificate of testing of a fire alarm system 61
Appendix D Model log book for fire alarm systems 62
Appendix E Ionization chamber smoke detectors 64
Appendix F Fire alarm systems integrated with other systems 64
Appendix G Control equipment and power supplies for small manual
systems (type M) 65
Appendix H Smoke alarms in the home 67
Appendix J Guide to recommendations applicable to specific types of
system 72
Appendix K The uses of staged alarm systems 73
Table 1 — Limits of ceiling heights 26
Publications referred to 74
© BSI 10-1998 i
BS 5839-1:1988
Foreword
This Part of BS 5839 has been prepared under the direction of the Fire Standards
Committee. It is a revision of BS 5839-1:1980, which is withdrawn.
In addition to the existing BS 5839-2, BS 5839-3, BS 5839-4 and BS 5839-5, a
specification for line-type heat detectors is in preparation. Parts of EN 54
“Components of automatic fire detection systems” (in preparation by Technical
Committee CEN/TC 72, Automatic fire detection systems, of the European
Committee for Standardisation) will be published as Parts of BS 5445. Standards
prepared by subcommittee ISO/TC 21/SC 3, Fire detection and alarm systems, (of
Technical Committee TC 21, Equipment for fire protection and fire fighting, of the
International Organization for Standardization) that are accepted as
British Standards will be included in BS 5445 if adopted by CEN, and in
BS 5839 if not.
As far as possible, this Part of BS 5839 takes account of the work of CEN/TC 72
and ISO/TC 21/SC 3.
The major part of this revision was updating the recommendations and important
changes made are as follows.
a) Classifications have been introduced to allow the specification of system
type by principal purpose (i.e. life or property protection) and extent of
protection provided (i.e. entire premises, areas of special risk only, or escape
routes only).
b) Recommendations have been included to cover systems utilizing recent

advances in technology, e.g. the use of microprocessors, analogue detector
signalling, multi-function indicators and radio-linked systems.
c) Advances in technology have led to systems in which circuits serve more
than a single zone: recommendations have been incorporated to restrict the
effect of faults in such circuits.
d) Recommendations on self-contained smoke alarms for domestic use are no
longer included in the body of this Part of BS 5839.
e) Consideration has been given to problems which might arise from the
combination into one system of components from several manufacturers.
f) Monitoring of circuits connecting detectors, sounders, call points, power
supplies and control and indicating equipment is recommended.
g) With the exception of control equipment for small manual systems,
(see appendix G), all recommendations relating to the specification of control
equipment have been transferred to BS 5839-4.
h) The maximum delay in the response to the operation of manual call points
has been altered to 8 s, and is further reduced to 3 s from 1 January 1990.
i) Following recent research, the provision of detectors in rooms adjoining
escape routes is now recommended, particularly for sleeping accommodation.
j) More detailed recommendations on the avoidance of false alarms are
included.
k) The effect on manual call points of the removal of detectors from their bases
is included.
Current legislation requires that an effective means of giving warning in case of
fire be provided in certain premises. The fire authority and the Health and Safety
Executive will advise on legislation that applies to any building. Consultation
with the appropriate authority is advisable and may be obligatory.
The protection of property with a fire detection and alarm system may permit an
insurance company to offer a reduced premium provided that the system is
acceptable. Early consultation with the insurer is advisable.
ii © BSI 10-1998
BS 5839-1:1988
Fire protection should not be confused with fire precautions, and the provision of
a fire detection and alarm system should never be regarded as giving complete
protection against fire. In particular, it should not be used as an excuse for
reducing measures intended to prevent the occurrence of fire. For detailed
recommendations on fire precautions in buildings, reference should be made to
the relevant Parts of BS 5588.
It has been assumed in the drafting of this Part of BS 5839 that the execution of
its provisions will be entrusted to appropriately qualified and experienced
persons.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.
Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i to iv,
pages 1 to 74, an inside back cover and a back cover.
The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the
document was last issued.
Sidelining in this document indicates the most recent changes by amendment.
© BSI 10-1998 iii

iv
blank
BS 5839-1:1988
Section 1. General
1 Scope 2.1
addressable system
This part of BS 5839 provides recommendations for
the planning, design, installation and servicing of a system in which signals from each detector and/or
fire detection and alarm systems in and around call point are individually identified at the control
buildings. It does not recommend whether or not a panel
fire alarm system should be installed in any given NOTE Hybrid systems are possible in which groups of devices on
premises. a circuit can be separately identified, but not individual devices
within the group.
The systems covered in this part of BS 5839 are
2.2
referred to as fire alarm systems. This part of
aspirating detector
BS 5839 covers systems ranging from simple
installations with one or two manual call points, up a detector system in which a sample of the
to complex installations with automatic detectors, atmosphere in the protected space is sucked by a fan
manual call points, control and indicating or pump into a detector which may be remote from
equipment, connection to the public fire service, etc. the protected space
It also covers systems capable of providing signals to 2.3
initiate, in the event of a fire, the operation of automatic system
ancillary services (such as fixed fire extinguishing
a system in which an alarm of fire can be initiated
systems) and other precautions and actions, but it
automatically
does not cover the ancillary services themselves.
This part of BS 5839 does not cover systems 2.4

combining fire alarm functions with other non-fire competent person
related functions, although some guidance on such a person competent to perform a defined task
integrated systems is given in appendix F. NOTE Normally a competent person will be an employee of a
manufacturer, supplier, installer or servicing contractor, or a
Although recommendations on the installation of member of the user’s staff who has received suitable training
self-contained smoke alarms are not included in this from a manufacturer or supplier.
part of BS 5839, advice from the Home
2.5
Departments1) is reproduced in appendix H.
detector
This part of BS 5839 does not cover street fire
a part of an automatic fire detection system that
alarms, the 999 emergency call system, or manually
contains at least one sensor which constantly or at
or mechanically operated sounders.
frequent intervals monitors at least one suitable
This part of BS 5839 does not cover systems whose physical and/or chemical phenomenon associated
primary function is to extinguish or control the fire, with fire, and that provides at least one
such as sprinkler or automatic extinguishing corresponding signal to the control and indicating
systems, even though they might have a secondary equipment. The decision to give the alarm of fire or
alarm function; it does, however, cover the use of a to operate automatic fire protection equipment may
signal from an automatic extinguishing system as be made at the detector or at another part of the
one initiating element of a fire alarm system. system, for example at the control and indicating
This part of BS 5839 applies only to fire alarm equipment
systems in a temperate climate such as that of the detectors may be classified by the form of their
United Kingdom. output as follows:
Recommendations for fire detection systems in a) analogue detector a detector which gives an
electronic data processing installations are given in output signal representing the value of the
BS 6266. sensed phenomenon. This may be a truly
NOTE The titles of the publications referred to in this standard analogue signal or a digitally coded equivalent of
are listed on page 74. the sensed value. This detector does not itself
make a decision of fire;
2 Definitions
b) multi-state detector a detector which gives
For the purposes of this part of BS 5839 the one of a limited number (greater than two) of
following definitions apply. output states relating to “normal” or “fire alarm”
and other abnormal conditions;
1) The Home Office (in England and Wales), the Scottish Home and Health Department and the Northern Ireland Office.
© BSI 10-1998 1
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 1
c) two-state detector a detector which gives one 2.13

of two output states relating to either “normal” or responsible person
“fire alarm” conditions. the person having control of the premises, whether
2.6 as occupier or otherwise, or any person delegated by
final voltage of a battery the person having control of the premises to be
the voltage at which the cell manufacturer considers responsible for the fire alarm system and the fire
the cells to be fully discharged at the specified procedures
discharge current 2.14
search distance
2.7
lantern-light the distance which has to be travelled by a searcher
within a zone in order to determine visually the
a construction standing above the surface of a roof
position of a fire
and intended to admit light to the space below
2.8 2.15
manual system sector
a system containing no automatic detectors and in a subdivision of the protected premises normally
which an alarm of fire may only be initiated containing several zones. A sector may cover more
manually than one building
2.9 2.16
mimic diagram smoke

a topographic representation of the protected particulate and aerosol products of combustion
premises and their subdivisions, carrying indicating generated by a fire, whether this be of the
devices for each subdivision such that the smouldering or open flame type
indications of the fire alarm system can be rapidly NOTE In general the particle diameters range from 1 nm
related to the layout of the premises (invisible smoke) to 10 µm (visible smoke).
2.17
2.10
smoke alarm
monitored wiring
a device containing within one housing all the
wiring in which a failure, whether to open circuit or
components, except possibly the energy source,
to short circuit, will result in a fault warning and
necessary for detecting fire and giving an audible
not an alarm of fire
alarm
2.11
2.18
normal supply
standby supply
the supply from which the fire alarm system is
an electricity supply, commonly from a rechargeable
expected to obtain its power. The normal supply is
battery, which is automatically connected to the fire
usually derived from the public electricity supply
alarm system when the normal supply fails
system
2.19
2.12 two-stage alarm system
protection
a fire alarm system in which the initial alarm is
1) The presence of one or more detector(s) able to given only in a restricted part of the premises, with
initiate actions needed for the safety of life or an alert signal being given in the remainder of the
property in the event of a fire. premises
2) The provision of mechanical protection to 2.20
prevent damage to system components from zone
impact, abrasion, rodent attack, etc.
a subdivision of the protected premises such that
3) The provision of fire resistance to prevent
the occurrence of a fire within it will be indicated by
damage to system components from fire in their
a fire alarm system separately from an indication of
vicinity.
fire in any other subdivision
4) The provision of electrical protection to prevent NOTE A zone will usually consist of an area protected by several
temporary or permanent disruption to the system manual call points and/or detectors, and is separately indicated
due to overvoltage, excessive current, high to assist in location of the fire, evacuation of the building and
transient or radio-frequency interference, etc. fire-fighting.
2 © BSI 10-1998
Section 1 BS 5839-1:1988
2.21 Type L systems are automatic detection systems

condition intended for the protection of life. They are further
the condition of a control equipment subdivided into:
NOTE For example, the control equipment may be in the normal type L1: systems installed throughout the
condition, the fault condition, the alarm condition, etc. protected building;
2.22 type L2: systems installed only in defined
phased evacuation
parts of the protected building; a
a system of evacuation in which different parts of type L2 system should normally
the premises are evacuated in a controlled sequence include the coverage required of a
of phases, those parts of the premises expected to be type L3 system;
at greatest risk being evacuated first
(See appendix K.) type L3: systems installed only for the
protection of escape routes.
NOTE A phased evacuation will normally require at least a
two-stage alarm system.
Type M systems are manual alarm systems, and
2.23 have no further subdivision.
staged alarm system
In some buildings control of various parts of the
an alarm system in which two or more stages of building may lie with several different occupants or
alarm can be given within a given area even external authorities. The requirements for fire
(See appendix K.) alarm systems in such buildings may differ from
NOTE 1 Examples of staged alarm systems are a two-stage those in which control lies with a single occupant
system capable of giving “alert” or “evacuate” signals, or a because of the need for liaison between occupants
three-stage alarm system capable of giving “staff alarm”, “alert”
or “evacuate” signals. and possibly interconnection or overlap of the alarm
NOTE 2 The normal condition, under which no alarm is given, is systems. Systems intended for use in
not counted as a stage of alarm. multi-occupancy buildings are given the suffix
NOTE 3 In this standard, in order to avoid confusion: letter X.
a) the term “stage” is used to describe the different stages of
alarm in one area of the premises; Premises protected by automatic detection systems,
b) the term “phase” is used in describing the sequence of both of types L and P, should normally also be
phases of evacuation of different areas of the premises. provided with manual call points.
2.24 Some of the recommendations of this part of
state BS 5839 apply to all systems, while other
the outputs of a detector recommendations apply only to a limited number of
system types. In order to clarify the application of
3 Types of system the recommendations, those clauses having limited
application are shown with the applicable system
3.1 General type designation in parentheses following the clause
Fire alarm systems may be installed in buildings in title. Clauses without system designations should
order to satisfy several different needs. They may be be taken as having general application. Appendix J
installed for the protection of property; they may be lists the clauses (general or specific) applying to
installed for the protection of life; in some each type of system.
applications they may be installed to meet a mixture If a system is intended to fulfil the purposes of more
of purposes, either simultaneously or differing in than one type of system, and the recommendations
time or place. for the types differ, then the system should comply
Because of the great variety of systems covered by with the recommendations for each of the types. For
this part of BS 5839, the systems have been divided example, a system whose sole purpose is to provide
into a number of different types, each identified by full coverage property protection (type P1) need only
a letter. have a small number of sounders; but if it is also
Type P systems are automatic detection systems used to provide coverage of the escape routes for life
intended for the protection of property. They are safety, the number of sounders used will have to be
further subdivided into: sufficient to give warning throughout the building.
type P1: systems installed throughout the

protected building;
type P2: systems installed only in defined
parts of the protected building.
© BSI 10-1998 3
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 1
3.2 Systems for the protection of property As with property protection, the greatest benefit
(type P) will be given by a full coverage system (type L1).
The longest delay in detection of fire is likely to Such a system should give the earliest practicable
occur when no person is present to detect the fire warning of fire, wherever ignition may occur, and
either at ignition or while it is in its early stages of will then raise the alarm throughout the premises.
growth. For the reduction of property loss, therefore, However, a reduced but still useful level of
automatic detection is likely to be more successful protection may be obtained from a type L2 system,
than a simple manual system; however, manual call in which detection is only provided at points where
points should always be provided since people may the presence of a fire (or of the products of a fire)
be able to give an earlier alarm of fire if they are would lead to a significantly high life hazard. A type
present. L2 system might, for instance, give detector
coverage only in those areas where a fire might
A fire can start virtually anywhere on the premises hazard people sleeping without supervision; other
and, if undetected, may grow until extinction areas of low fire risk remote from the sleeping
becomes difficult or impossible. The highest level of accommodation might be left without detector
property protection obtainable from a fire alarm coverage although alarm sounders and manual call
system will therefore be given by a type P1 system, points should be provided. The areas protected by a
giving full coverage of all parts of the premises. Such type L2 system should normally include escape
a system will generally be the only type acceptable routes, i.e. those areas that would be protected by a
to fire insurers. type L3 system.
A lower level of protection, still giving a useful A type L3 system is intended only to protect escape
reduction in fire hazard, may often be obtained by routes, by giving warning of a fire in time for the
the installation of fire detectors in only those parts escape routes to be used before they become blocked
of the building having a high fire risk. The areas by heat or smoke. A type L3 system should not be
where detectors are required can frequently be expected to protect people who might be involved
identified from the presence of ignition sources and with the fire at ignition or in its early stages; it is
easily ignitable materials, the potential for rapid intended only to ensure escape for those not
fire spread, the absence of supervision, or the immediately involved. It should be noted that
serious consequences of loss. Areas where detectors protection of escape routes may also involve the
are less necessary might be those containing few installation of detectors in adjacent rooms
combustibles or ignition sources, having continuous (see 13.5).
supervision and having good structural fire
separation from the remainder of the building. Such Type M systems provide only for manual initiation
a partial cover system is a type P2 system. of the alarm. In many small buildings this may be
all that is required, but it should be remembered
3.3 Systems for the protection of life (types L that the efficiency of a type M system depends
and M) critically on the presence of people to detect the fire,
In some buildings the hazard to life from fire may be and on the training they are given in the procedures
considered so small that no fire alarm is needed. In to be followed if a fire occurs.
others, the only need may be for a device by which 3.4 Single-family dwellings
the alarm may be manually sounded. But in the
majority of larger buildings there will be a need for In large private dwellings, for example a country
a system by which the alarm can be sounded mansion, the protection will usually need to be of
throughout the building, and, particularly where a types L and/or P, depending on purpose, and advice
wakeful watch cannot be guaranteed, the alarm should be obtained from competent advisors. The
sounders may need to be initiated by automatic use of self-contained smoke alarms, even if
detectors. interconnected, is not considered to be a suitable
method of protection.
4 © BSI 10-1998
Section 1 BS 5839-1:1988
However, in smaller, single-family, dwellings the 4 Exchange of information

installation of self-contained smoke alarms can give
4.1 General
a significant improvement in the level of fire safety.
For the improvement to be achieved, though, it is The system requirements, including those imposed
essential that the smoke alarms are correctly by the configuration and usage of the premises,
installed, used and serviced. Advice on this is should be ascertained as accurately as possible by
contained in the booklet “Smoke alarms in the consultation between the purchaser of the system
home”, produced for the Home Departments by the and other interested parties. On the basis of these
Central Office of Information; the contents of this consultations, documents should be prepared
booklet are reproduced as appendix H. In showing the following:
single-family dwellings smoke alarms will usually a) details of the installation proposed, including
be installed by the occupier, who will probably have system type;
no training in installation techniques and will
b) any special accommodation required for the
probably not seek advice from any competent
equipment;
authority. It is realised that the occupier is also
unlikely to consult this part of BS 5839, and hence c) any special structural provision required for
it is important that smoke alarms intended for the equipment or its wiring, such as chases, ducts
installation by the occupier should be accompanied or conduits;
by installation instructions generally following the d) any remote communication link.
relevant recommendations of this part of BS 5839 It is desirable that, at the contract stage, one
and of the HMSO booklet referred to above. organization (usually the main contractor) should
Occupiers should also be advised to keep a record of take overall responsibility for the performance of
their installation, particularly where some parts the system, and that this responsibility is clearly
such as wiring might be concealed once the system defined in the documentation.
is installed.
It should be noted that extension, correction or
3.5 Buildings in multiple occupation (X) modification of software-controlled systems may
Buildings in multiple occupation may be buildings involve modification of the control software.
occupied by more than one commercial undertaking, Consideration should be given at the contract stage
or may be large family houses adapted to provide to providing for continued support of such changes
accommodation for several households in separate throughout the expected lifetime of the system.
self-contained units. In some cases they may include 4.2 Action in the event of an alarm of fire
a combination of uses, such as a ground floor shop
To a large extent the design of the fire alarm system
and first floor offices with dwellings on higher floors.
will depend on the actions required after the alarm
Fires occurring in one occupancy may then produce
has been given. It is thus essential that these
a hazard to people or property in other occupancies.
actions are preplanned and the subject of early
To provide adequate warning of fires occurring
discussion.
within the building, fire alarm systems may need to
extend across occupation boundaries or to be
interconnected with systems in other occupancies.
Cooperation and liaison between occupants will
then be needed.
3.6 Specification of system type
Because of the wide range of systems covered by the
recommendations of this part of BS 5839, it should
be appreciated that the specification of
requirements for a system simply by reference to the
number or title of this part of BS 5839 without
further restriction will have little meaning. The
type of system to be installed should always be
included in the specification, and the specification
for a type P2, L2 or L3 system should always include
details of those areas of the building which are to be
protected. Where mixed or combined types of
systems are required in a building, the type or types
of protection required in each part of the building
should be identifiable from the specification.
© BSI 10-1998 5
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 1
In particular, if the preferred mode of evacuation of 4.4 Multi-occupancy buildings (X)

the building is such that different actions may be If the building is under the control of more than one
required in different areas of the building, then the occupant, a fire in a part of the building under the
alarm system should be so designed that the control of one occupant may spread to or otherwise
necessary commands, messages or signals can be affect a part or parts under the control of others, and
distributed easily. In many cases proper control of it is important that all those who might be affected
evacuation will require a system capable of giving by the fire should be consulted. These consultations
speech messages (see 9.12). The area in which the should take place early in the planning of the new
fire is first detected will usually determine the system, since the interactions with other
initial distribution of alarm signals. The occupancies may significantly affect the design of
relationship between the location of the fire and the the system.
alarm distribution should be carefully defined and
specified prior to the design of the system, since it 5 Planning schedule
may reflect strongly on the facilities required in the
control equipment and on the wiring arrangement. A typical list of events to be taken into consideration
For example, a high building using a phased in preparing a planning schedule is as follows,
evacuation scheme could require an evacuation probably, but not necessarily, in the order stated:
signal in some areas, while in others only an alert a) a survey of the building or examination of the
signal would be given initially, and it is essential plans, and an assessment of the usage of the
that the control equipment and the sounder building including any periods of non-occupation;
distribution network is capable of providing this b) choice of type and purpose of system, including
differentiation. Particular care should be taken in possible future needs for extension or alteration;
parts of the building where signals relating to more
than one area may be audible (such as stair c) consideration of the action to be taken in the
enclosures). This code is concerned only with the event of fire;
design of the fire alarm system; the requirements d) in a multi-occupancy building, consultation
for the evacuation scheme should be determined in with other occupants;
consultation with the relevant authorities (see also e) system specification and/or design for
the relevant part of BS 5588). estimating purposes;
If the building contains alarm systems associated f) quotation;
with hazards other than fire, then the various g) consideration of proposals, prices and delivery
hazard alarms should be properly coordinated and times;
be distinct from each other. In these buildings the
relative priorities should be carefully assessed, and h) consideration of servicing requirements;
the system arranged so that a higher priority alarm i) agreement on the action to be taken in the
cannot be prevented or obscured by one of a lower event of fire;
priority. Although in general fire will have the j) ordering;
highest priority, there are buildings in which other k) detailed system design for installation;
hazards may have higher priorities than fire.
l) agreement on any variation of specification;
4.3 Consultations
m) production and delivery of equipment;
The interested parties who should be consulted on
n) wiring (including installation and testing);
behalf of the user or occupier may include the
following: o) installation of equipment;
a) the installer of the system; p) connecting up and testing (including audibility
testing);
b) the local fire authority;
q) commissioning and certification;
c) the Health and Safety Executive;
r) documentation;
d) the fire insurer;
s) user training;
e) consultants (including architects);
t) acceptance by the client and other interested
f) the supplier of any communication link;
parties;
g) the central alarm receiving station, if one is
u) handover of the system;
used.
v) operational audit.
Any deviations from the recommendations of this
part of BS 5839 should be agreed by the interested
parties.
6 © BSI 10-1998
Section 1 BS 5839-1:1988
In large buildings it will be normal practice for all The final connection, switching on and
these stages to be included in the critical path chart. commissioning of the fire alarm system should be
Control and indicating equipment for large made at times agreed between the interested
installations will almost certainly have to be parties. There may, however, be an interim period of
specially manufactured, and the importance of partial operation, either because of partial
ordering in good time is self-evident. To avoid occupation of the building or to provide protection
conflict with building or decorative work, wiring against risks during construction. Such operation is
should be carried out at times or stages of work a matter for agreement between the interested
agreed with the person in charge of the building and parties (see 26.7).
with other contractors working in the same areas.
Installation of equipment should be carefully
integrated with the operations of other trades to
minimize damage from damp, dust, wet processes,
etc. Temporary physical protection may be
necessary, both against the effects of other
authorized work and as security against
unauthorized intruders and vandalism.
© BSI 10-1998 7
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
Section 2. Design considerations
6 General In some premises the probable rate of spread of fire

may be so high that, even with the shortest practical
6.1 Purposes of fire alarm systems
attendance time, the fire is likely to be difficult to
A fire alarm system may be required to give an early extinguish and to lead to a large loss. In such cases,
alarm of fire in a building for one or both of the although a detection system may in some fires give
following purposes: a useful warning, an automatic extinguishing
a) to enhance the safety of the occupants by system should be installed. Amongst other such
increasing their chance of escape to safety or by cases, an automatic extinguishing system should be
initiation of other emergency actions; considered in any store in which combustible goods
b) to increase the probability of early extinction of or packaging are stacked to a height exceeding 5 m.
fire and hence to reduce the loss of, or damage to, 6.3 Protection of life (types L and M)
property. Fire can kill or maim in many ways, e.g. by
The design criteria for a fire alarm system may vary asphyxiation, radiant heat, poisoning or burning.
according to whether it is required primarily or However, most accidental fires begin with
exclusively for the protection of life or property. smouldering and the evolution of smoke and other
6.2 Protection of property (type P) combustion products, and it is known that in most
fires the phenomenon that first threatens human
A fire alarm system, although it can do nothing to life is the reduction of visibility in escape routes.
reduce the incidence of fire, can help to lessen the
The longest delay in giving the alarm is likely to
resultant loss by reducing the delay between
ignition and the start of effective fire-fighting. The occur when no one is present to detect the fire, either
provision of a fire alarm system may be related to at ignition or while it is in its early stage of growth.
Since the response of an automatic detection system
the cost of insuring the property, and would then
does not depend on the presence or actions of people,
require the insurer’s approval.
automatic detection is likely to give a better
A satisfactory fire alarm system for the protection of guarantee of success than manual detection.
property is one which automatically detects a fire at However, manual call points should always be
an early stage, raises an effective alarm in time to provided since people can often give an earlier alarm
summon the fire-fighting forces, both building staff of fire when they are present.
and the fire brigade, and indicates the location of
Fire alarm systems will often be required in order to
the fire in the building.
meet statutory or legal obligations and the system
The usefulness of a fire alarm system in reducing may require the approval of the fire authority.
property loss depends critically on the preplanned
actions in the event of fire (see 4.2) and the provision In premises in which normally active occupants can
of satisfactory fire-fighting resources. Fire-fighting be expected to react to an emergency in a rational
appliances such as hose reels and fire extinguishers manner, a manual fire alarm system by which an
alarm can be sounded throughout the building may
should be provided (see BS 5306-1 and BS 5306-3)
be sufficient to meet the purposes outlined in 6.1 a).
and staff should be trained in their use. The
This is a type M system. In other premises where a
attendance time of the fire brigade (works or local
type M system would not alone provide an
authority) should be considered, together with the
likely spread of fire that might occur after detection; acceptable level of protection, a type L3 system may
in general an attendance time less than 10 min is suffice.
preferred, and fire alarm systems are unlikely to It is accepted that many people are unwilling to
give satisfactory protection where the attendance walk through smoke when visibility is less than
time exceeds 15 min. If the attendance time of the about 10 m, even though this in itself constitutes no
fire brigade is incompatible with the probable rate of great hazard. This visibility has been adopted as
spread of fire an automatic fire extinguishing representing the point in the progressive smoke
system should be considered; guidance on the choice logging of an escape route at which its use is no
of suitable systems is given in BS 5306-0. longer possible, and an alarm of fire should
therefore be given while sufficient time remains for
the occupants to use the escape routes before the
visibility falls to this level. The choice, siting and
spacing of detectors as recommended in clause 13
should achieve this for a type L3 system.
8 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
In residential premises, where a greater than The design of a fire alarm system should provide
normal time is required to evacuate the building, a reliable facilities for transmission to the control and
further enhanced level of fire protection is likely to indicating equipment of signals from manual call
be required. Such a case might arise, for instance, points or detectors, and for the transmission of any
where the routine does not ensure immediate resultant fire signal to sounders and indicating
availability of staff members to take charge in an equipment and to any ancillary equipment which is
emergency, or where the occupants require to be operated by the fire alarm system (see 6.4).
assistance to evacuate the building. If the required Except in small manual systems (see 15.2.2) or
level of fire protection is not achieved by the radio-linked systems (see 18.3), circuits should be so
structure of the building, then an automatic fire arranged that an indication is given at the control
detection system may be needed to complement the and indicating equipment within 100 s of the
building structure by providing an early alarm of occurrence of any disconnection, open or short
fire. A type L1 or L2 system should achieve the circuit in a cable which would disable one or more
required level of protection. detectors and/or call points, or of a failure of any
6.4 Actuation of ancillary services other interconnection, and this should be done
The fire alarm system may be designed to close or without giving a false alarm.
open circuits to ancillary services by means of relays Even where the wiring of a system is monitored, the
or similar devices. Facilities of this kind may be regularity of routine testing is important and should
required in any system, whether for life protection, be considered at the design stage. It may be
considered desirable to include a method of
property protection, or a combination of both.

Systems operating ancillary services may have manually testing circuits and such a method should
special requirements for the number, zoning and always be provided where wiring or other
siting of detectors, provision of power supplies, interconnections are unmonitored. A manual call
control, indication or other facilities. The point may be used to provide a method of manual
recommendations of this part of BS 5839 may not testing for detector and/or call point circuits, but the
fully satisfy these special requirements, and call point used should be one remote from the
reference to specifying authorities or other codes of control equipment so that all the wiring of the
practice may be necessary. Further circuit is tested.
recommendations are given in clause 19. NOTE In some systems the connections to call points are such
that operation of a call point will not fully test the cables feeding
6.5 Installation in potentially explosive or detectors.
flammable atmospheres 6.6.2 Circuits containing fire detectors. The wiring
If it is necessary to install fire alarm equipment or arrangement of the system should be such that:
wiring in areas where there may be a potentially 1) if separate circuits are used for each zone, then
explosive or flammable atmosphere, then the a fault or faults on one circuit cannot affect any
appropriate recommendations of BS 4683, BS 5345, other circuit;
BS 5501, BS 6467 and CP 1003 should be followed.
2) if any circuit is used for more than one zone,
6.6 Circuit design then a single fault on that circuit cannot remove
6.6.1 General. Care should be taken to ensure protection from an area greater than that allowed
compatibility of all components which are part of the under 7.2 a) to d) for a single zone;
fire alarm system or connected with it in any way 3) if a circuit is used for more than one zone and
(see 6.7). multiple faults within one fire compartment
When considering the compatibility of components could remove protection from an area greater
with respect to operating or signal voltages than that allowed under 7.2 a) to d) for a zone,
(including tolerances), due allowance should be then the circuit within that compartment is
made for voltage transients. If surge protection or suitably protected (see 17.15);
suppression is not provided as an integral part of 4) two simultaneous faults should not remove
the equipment, then surge suppression components protection from an area greater than 10 000 m2.
should be provided on the connections to any If the system is such that the removal of a detector
vulnerable equipment. or call point from the circuit could affect the
operation of other detectors or call points then:
a) removal of a detector or call point should cause
a “fault” signal to be generated at the control
equipment indicating the need to replace the
missing detector or call point as soon as possible;
and
© BSI 10-1998 9
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
b) the operating instructions (see 26.1) should The minimum sounder circuit provision does not
draw the user’s attention to any adverse effects ensure that the reduced alarm is audible
on the remainder of the system due to the throughout the building. In some installations the
removal of one or more detectors and/or call minimum provision against loss of signal may not be
points. sufficient. If audibility of the alarm throughout the
Where detectors are designed to be removable from building is required to be maintained even in the
their bases, with or without locking devices, event of attack by fire on the sounder cables, then
removal of any detector(s) from the circuit should either:
not affect the operation of any manual call point. a) cables likely to resist fire for a considerable
During the design stage, consideration should be time should be used; or
given to the possibility of malicious removal of b) a greater number of separate sounder circuits
detectors. If malicious removal is considered likely, should be provided; or
detectors of a type that can be removed only by the
c) sounder cables protected against cable faults
use of a special tool should be used.
(see 6.6.5) should be used.
NOTE A special tool in this context is a tool not likely to be
carried by a member of the general public. Slot-headed screws 6.6.4 Ring systems. If devices such as detectors, call
would not be acceptable, since various articles can be used as points or sounders are connected to control
ordinary screwdrivers. equipment by a ring circuit, then, provided that the
The system should be so designed as to minimize devices can receive or send signals in either
any disruption during maintenance and testing. In direction, they will continue to operate even with a
particular it is desirable that provision should be single open circuit or high series resistance in the
made so that individual detectors can be tested ring. Such faults should be indicated at the control
without either sounding an alarm or requiring the and indicating equipment within 60 min of their
complete system to be disabled to prevent such an occurrence. A simple ring circuit, however, cannot
alarm. In a single zone system, isolation of all the give protection against short circuit faults and
detector or call point signals is permissible, but a hence such faults need to be indicated, without
facility should be retained for giving a general alarm
giving a false alarm of fire, within 100 s (see 6.6.1).
from the control and indicating equipment. Any
Where sounders are used on simple ring circuits, the
provision for the isolation of detectors or call points
for maintenance or testing should be such as to distribution wiring to each sounder circuit should be
allow the operation of alarm sounders in response to protected against overload due to short circuit by a
the operation of detectors or call points that have fuse or similar device.
not been isolated (see 29.4.4). 6.6.5 Circuits protected against cable faults. In some
6.6.3 Circuits containing fire alarm sounders. If ring systems (usually those using computer
alarm sounders use the same wiring as detectors, techniques with addressable devices) short circuit
then no alarm sounder should be affected by the isolating devices can be provided, such that a short
removal of any detector. Any sounder that is circuit will only affect the section between the
necessary in order to reach the audibility levels isolators. The isolators may be independent devices,
recommended in clause 9 should be capable of or may be contained within other devices on the
electrical disconnection from the alarm sounder circuit. In such a system a single fault, whether to
circuit only by the use of a special tool and the open or to short circuit conditions, can affect at most
disconnection should generate a fault warning at the section of the loop between the nearest isolators.
the control and indicating equipment. If such alarm (Other circuit arrangements may be possible having
sounders are located so that they are easily the same general effect.) Where the effect of the
accessible, consideration should be given to the fault is to reduce to one the number of signal paths
effects of malicious interference. to any detector or call point, the control equipment
should indicate the fault within 60 min of its
The wiring of sounder circuits should be so arranged
occurrence and should preferably indicate the
that, in the event of a short circuit developing in any
position of the fault. It is essential that action is
part of the wiring of sounder circuits during a fire, a
taken to repair such faults, since if a fault is left
minimum of one alarm sounder will continue to
unrepaired the system has no protection against
sound. This minimum provision should ensure that
further faults. However, if, because of redundancy
a general alarm can be given at the start of a fire
in the circuit design, at least two signal paths to
and for a significant period thereafter, and that in
each detector and to each call point remain, it is
the event of the fire burning through a sounder
necessary only to ensure the indication of the fault
cable, the alarm will be maintained at at least one
within 24 h of its occurrence.
point in the building, usually near the control
equipment. NOTE Cable faults which disable one or more detectors and/or
call points should be indicated, without giving a false alarm,
within 100 s of their occurrence (see 6.6.1).
10 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
In the event of two faults, any devices between the 9) any software provided for programming the
two faults will usually be isolated and no longer system or its components, and the
function. If both sides of a ring feeding one fire compatibility of other components with the
compartment pass through a second compartment, software;
a fire in this compartment could damage both cables 10) any limitations on the numbers, types,
and thus isolate the devices in the first sizes or other parameters (such as impedance)
compartment (see 17.15 and, if applicable, 6.6.2). of wires that can be connected.
6.7 Compatibility b) For fire detectors:
All the individual components of a fire alarm system 1) the form of output provided;
should be mutually compatible. The organization 2) the operating voltage, including tolerances;
responsible for ensuring compatibility should be
identified at an early stage: this will usually be the 3) the quiescent current;
principal contractor for the fire alarm system. 4) the alarm current or maximum permissible
Compliance of an individual component with a part alarm current rating;
of either BS 5839, BS 5445 or BS 5446 does not 5) the method of resetting the device after an
necessarily guarantee that it will work satisfactorily alarm;
in conjunction with another component complying 6) the states of the detector which indicate
with a part of BS 5839, BS 5445 or BS 5446. For normal, fault and fire conditions;
example, even though a fire detector made by one 7) any requirements for indications of
manufacturer and a control and indicating operation to be provided in the vicinity of a

equipment made by a second manufacturer detector, together with any resultant changes
individually comply with the relevant parts of in system conditions, e.g. reliability or power
BS 5839, BS 5445 or BS 5446, they may not work consumption;
satisfactorily together. Where the components of a
particular installation are made by different 8) the number of conductors required.
manufacturers, it is essential that compatibility c) For alarm devices:
between components is taken into account by the 1) whether polarized connection is required;
designer of the installation. The designer should
2) whether precautions may be required in
consider the following subjects, and the data
order to suppress any interference generated
provided with each item should at least provide the
by the device;
information necessary for the consideration of its
compatibility with other items. 3) what methods for monitoring the
interconnections can be employed;
In relation to a given control and indicating panel
such consideration should include at least the 4) whether the power supply arrangements
following. can provide sufficient power;
a) For all devices: 5) whether a high starting current is required.
1) the requirements of the system in order to d) For manual call points:
meet electrical safety; 1) whether of open or closed circuit operation;
2) any provision for earthing; 2) whether of polarized operation;
3) the earth insulation resistance; 3) the method of discrimination between alarm
4) the method of adjustment where adjustment and fault conditions;
is required to ensure compatibility; 4) the method of resetting the device after an
5) any preferred method(s) for monitoring line alarm.
continuity; e) For power supplies:
6) whether the current taken or delivered has 1) the correct voltage for the type of battery
an appreciable reactive component; employed (i.e. lead acid or alkaline types);
7) the characteristics of any signals passing 2) the correct charging characteristics for the
between components; type of battery (i.e. constant current or
8) the ability of the control and indicating constant voltage);
equipment to operate in conjunction with the 3) the relationship between polarity and earth,
number of devices to which it will be or if the potential is earth free;
connected; 4) the current rating in relation to calculated
maximum demand;
5) the permissible limits of ripple;
© BSI 10-1998 11
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
6) the degree of stabilization; 6.9 Programme controlled systems

7) the formula for power capacity for the Fire detection systems are available in which the
system, including the storage capacity of the primary function is carried out by microprocessors
standby supplies and the required standby or similar devices, in which the particular
duration; characteristics of a system are dependent on a
8) the permissible range for the supply voltage; stored programme. In addition to the
9) whether the standby power supplies are able recommendations of this part of BS 5839, such
systems should comply with the following
to provide the necessary current for the
recommendations.
specified duration.
a) Facilities provided for the alteration of the
f) For automatic fire protection equipment:
stored program should be protected against
1) whether the energy required by the unauthorized interference (see clause 27).
automatic fire protection equipment is
available from the control and indicating b) Those functions of the system which are
recommended in this part of BS 5839 should not
equipment or whether additional power
depend on programs stored on rotating disks,
supplies will be required;
other storage media using moving parts, or any
2) whether the voltage(s) required by the other form of easily corruptible memory.
automatic fire protection equipment are
NOTE 1 Memories that are designed to be written to as part
compatible with those available from the of their normal operation, such as RAM, are considered to be
control and indicating equipment;
easily corruptible.
3) whether compatible with proposed c) The decision algorithm used within the control
monitoring facilities; system should be such that the sensitivity of the
4) whether requiring positive or negative system cannot fall outside that specified in the
switched input; relevant part of BS 5839, BS 5445 or BS 5446,
except in time related systems (see 14.6). Where
5) whether normally energized or normally manual changes to the algorithm or its
de-energized. parameters are possible the ability to carry out
g) For remote indication and control panels: the alterations should be restricted to authorized
1) the functions provided; competent personnel [see item a) and clause 27].
2) the signal conditions for each function; d) The operation of processors should be
3) the terminal connections. continuously monitored; this is particularly
important where it is possible for the stored
h) Equipment for transmitting fire alarms and program to be accidentally corrupted (e.g. by
fault warnings to remote manned centres should transient interference) in such a way as to
be compatible with the equipment at the remote interfere with the correct operation of the system.
manned centre. In the event of failure a fault warning should be
6.8 Compliance with British Standards given which should be automatically reset after
In general, all components used in the system the system has been restarted; either the fault
should comply with relevant British Standards, and should be automatically recorded, or a warning of
should have undergone type testing to those automatic resetting given.
standards. Components having approval to a e) To improve reliability, a methodical and formal
recognized quality approval scheme (comprising approach to software design should be followed.
third party certification of product conformity f) Following reinitialization, repair of any fault,
against a relevant standard, based on testing and or restoration of any power supply failure, the
continuing surveillance, together with assessment system should be capable within 30 s of sounding
of the supplier’s quality systems against the a general alarm, and within a further period
appropriate part of BS 5750) should be preferred. of 10 min normal operating conditions should be
Where there is no relevant British Standard, attained without further manual intervention
non-standard components may be used, but care (other than the silencing of any fault warning).
should be taken to ensure as far as possible that the Particular care should be taken where volatile
components are fit for their purpose. memories are used.
NOTE 2 It is acceptable for the restoration of functions additional
to the recommendations of this part of BS 5839 (e.g. giving
additional information about evacuation routes) to require
manual intervention and/or to take longer than 10 min.
12 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
6.10 Pre-alarm warnings 7 Zones

In some types of system an early warning can be 7.1 General considerations
given of conditions which might (or might not)
In most buildings an alarm of fire may initiate a
represent a fire. Such warnings should not initiate a
number of different activities, e.g. the provision of
full fire alarm, but may be used to alert personnel to
assistance, the commencement of emergency
the need for an inspection, thus reducing the
evacuation procedures, summoning the fire brigade,
number of false alarms and possibly giving earlier
fire action (see 29.3.5). etc., and it is essential that these activities are
coordinated. In the preplanning of emergency
6.11 Deviations from the recommendations of procedures for a building it is therefore important,
the code for ease of communication and synchronization of
The recommendations of this code are intended to be effort, to determine a convenient number and
suitable for the majority of normal applications. arrangement of easily identifiable zones into which
There will, however, be a few applications in which the building can be divided.
the recommendations may be unsuitable, and in When a signal of fire is given it is necessary that
which deviations from the code may be necessary. there should be no confusion about the zone from
Before agreement of any deviation by interested which it is received. To facilitate response by
parties (see 4.3), consideration should be made of at persons providing assistance, the zone should be
least the following factors: small enough for a fire to be located quickly. It is
a) the quantity and type of contents, including the often important that there is adequate fire
ease of ignition, heat release rate, and probable separation between the zones; this is particularly so
rate of fire growth and spread; if the initial evacuation procedures in the building
b) the probable false alarm rates of different will usually entail movement from the zone of the
types of detector; fire to one of temporary refuge.
c) the method of transmission of fire products In larger premises in particular, the fire alarm
from the fire to the detector, including any system should therefore be designed and arranged
possible adverse environmental effects; so that it is both fully compatible with the
emergency procedures and provides at some central
d) the type of occupant, including discipline, or convenient point, or points, an indication of the
fitness and training; zone from which an alarm has originated. In the
e) the attendance time of fire-fighting forces case of two-stage alarms, clear and unambiguous
(including both the local authority fire brigade signals should indicate the emergency procedure to
and any industrial fire brigade); be adopted throughout each zone.
f) the degree of fire protection given by other In general the signals used in different zones in the
methods (such as partial sprinkler protection); same premises should be the same unless the
g) any needs for special facilities for control or background noise in one or more zones is such as to
indication; require different sounders (see 9.4).
h) any special provisions (either already existing If the system has been installed for life safety
or likely to be needed) for maintained power purposes (type L or M), then each zone should be
supplies; readily accessible from the point(s) where the
indication of the location of fire is provided. In
i) the type of work carried out in the building (for
general, access to any zone should be by normal
example, hot, smoky or dusty operations may
circulation routes; however, where small areas of
need special detection provision);
the building are defined as zones for specific
j) any special requirements for alarm devices, purposes (such as the existence of a special risk) it
either due to the type of occupant or to the sound may be permissible for access in the immediate
environment in the building; vicinity of that zone to be by another route, for
k) the fire routine for the building. example through another room.
NOTE All deviations should be listed in the installation and NOTE In systems other than addressable systems, signals
commissioning certificate (see appendix B). coming from individual detectors or groups of detectors cannot be
separately identified. In these systems, therefore, to allow zone
identification it is usual for each zone to be fed by a separate
circuit. It has thus become common for the concepts of “zones”
and “circuits” to be used interchangeably. In addressable
systems, however, several zones (defined as subdivisions of the
premises, see 2.20) can be fed from a single circuit whilst
retaining zone identification. It is thus important that in such
systems the concepts of “zones” and “circuits” be treated
separately.
© BSI 10-1998 13
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
7.2 Recommendations for the size and number NOTE 1 This relaxation on the size of the zone does not apply
of zones to the recommendations for power supplies in type M systems
given in 16.6.
The size and number of zones into which the g) For systems in buildings in multiple
premises are divided should comply with the occupation (see 4.4) the zoning arrangement
following. should take account of the fact that premises may
a) The floor area of a single zone should not not all be occupied at the same time and no zone
exceed 2000 m2. should include areas in more than one occupancy.
b) The search distance, i.e. the distance that has h) In very large systems such as those covering
to be travelled by a searcher inside the zone in more than one building it may be necessary to
order to determine visually the position of the create sectors in order to restrict the number of
fire, should not exceed 30 m. Remote indicator zones from which alarms may originate
lamps outside doors, etc., may be helpful, simultaneously or in succession. Such
especially if doors are likely to be locked. By restrictions should only be applied after
making an area easier to search, the use of consultation among the interested parties listed
remote indicator lamps may reduce the need for a in 4.3.
large number of small zones. i) In premises having phased evacuation
c) If the total floor area of a building is 300 m2 or schemes, the zoning of fire detectors should be
less, then it may be considered as a single zone compatible with the evacuation procedures.
even though there may be more than one storey. Particular care should be taken in enclosures
d) If the total floor area of a building is greater common to more than one floor, such as
than 300 m2, then all zones should be restricted stairways and atria (see also 4.2).
to a single storey, except that: Where a special fire risk is present within a larger
1) if the total floor area of a fire compartment protected area, and it is considered important to
is 300 m 2 or less, and any communication with obtain rapid identification of a fire in that risk, the
other fire compartments is only at the lowest risk should be considered as a separate zone.
level of the building, then that fire In premises providing sleeping accommodation the
compartment may be considered as a single factors mentioned in a) to h) should be considered in
zone even though there may be more than one relation to the fire routine adopted for the premises.
storey within it; and In any zone in which automatic detectors are
2) if detectors or call points are fitted in provided for the purposes of life safety it is of
stairwells, lightwells, liftwells and other paramount importance that the precise location of
flue-like structures extending beyond the one the origin of an alarm of fire can be quickly
floor but within one fire compartment, then the determined.
volume of the well or shaft should be If the arrangement of an area is complex and time is
considered as one or more separate zones. likely to be wasted in a search for the fire, then
e) Where a zone extends beyond a single notwithstanding any limits shown above, the area
compartment, the zone boundaries should be should be further sub-divided into zones that are
boundaries of fire compartments. Thus it is easier to search.
permissible to have two complete fire NOTE 2 In some clauses of this part of BS 5839 an area
compartments in one zone, or two complete zones constraint is given based on the area allowed under 7.2 for a
in one fire compartment; it is not permissible to single zone. The area allowed should be considered as subject to
all the constraints of 7.2, and not simply the 2000 m2 allowed
have a zone which extends into parts of two by 7.2 a).
compartments, or a compartment which extends
into parts of two zones.
f) In systems containing only manual call points
(type M systems) location of a fire will usually be
known to the person operating the call point. If
satisfactory provision is made for this
information to be passed to the person in charge
of the building, limitations on the size of the zone
may be relaxed. It should however be borne in
mind that if the area covered by a zone is
excessive it may be difficult to locate a call point
from which an alarm originated.
14 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
7.3 Zoning of manual call points If a building is divided into separate occupancies,
Manual call points included within a zone may be then tenants or occupiers should make reliable
wired to the detector circuit for that fire zone as long arrangements to call the fire brigade. The
as the recommendations given in 6.6 are followed. It responsibility for calling the fire brigade should be
should be remembered, however, that people both clearly specified and clearly understood;
escaping from a fire will not necessarily operate the uncertainty in responsibility can lead to a number of
manual call point nearest to the fire. To prevent calls being made almost simultaneously or, more
misleading indication of the position of the fire, it seriously, to the fire brigade not being called at all.
may be preferable for manual call points to be Consultation with the fire authority is advisable for
indicated separately from detectors. If manual call systems serving buildings in multiple occupation.
points have been sited, for example, on the staircase If public telecommunications operator lines are used
landings, so that in a multi-zone building their in the transmission of fire alarms to the fire brigade,
indication of the position of the fire may be then it is desirable to limit the risk of the lines being
misleading, then it is preferable for them either to damaged by fire before the alarm has been
be arranged as a separate zone, or to be incorporated transmitted. Within the building the lines should be
in the zone described in item d) 2) of 7.2. routed to avoid areas where fire is likely to start or
7.4 Zoning of fire detectors to spread rapidly, and should be protected as
recommended in 17.11. Lines for fire alarm
Zoning of fire detectors should be such that upon transmission should be discussed with the public
activation of any device the fire alarm system will telecommunications operator so that, where
respond in the correct manner. This is particularly practicable, the use of overhead lines can be avoided
important where phased evacuation is involved, as near the building.
evacuation procedures could be adversely affected if
If a special telephone line is provided for the
incorrect alarm signals were given.
transmission of emergency calls (either automatic
For example, careful consideration should be given or manual) through a switched network, then the
to the type of alarm that should result from the line should be barred from receiving incoming calls.
operation of fire detectors located in positions which It should never be used for outgoing calls other than
may not be related directly to that of the fire emergency calls, unless emergency calls can be
incident, such as in atria, stair enclosures, shafts, transmitted despite the presence of other signals.
ducts, etc.
Alarm signals should not be routed through private
exchanges which may themselves be involved in the
8 Communications with the fire fire or which may be automatically closed down in
brigade and other off site the event of fire.
organizations
8.2 Automatic transmission of the alarm
8.1 General
Some of the available methods of automatic
For a fire detection system to give the maximum connection to the fire brigade are described in
benefit, its alarm should be passed on to the fire appendix A.
brigade with the smallest possible time delay. It The lines and the equipment for transmitting and
may be permissible for the alarm to be passed on by receiving the alarm signal (including any link
telephone, if there is an adequately trained person between the control equipment and a separate
on the premises, but frequently the only reliable signalling unit) should, if practicable, be monitored.
method will be over an automatic link. For property In the event of a failure of lines or equipment, a fault
protection, consultation with the insurers is warning should be given at a continuously manned
advisable. point, usually at the remote manned centre, and the
Provision may also be made for communications occupier of the premises should, if practicable, be
with other off site bodies, including service informed so that arrangements can be made for the
organizations and key-holders. The information continued protection of the premises.
transmitted should be sufficient for its purpose,
without being so excessive as to cause confusion.
© BSI 10-1998 15
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
If the alarm is transmitted to the fire brigade via a 9.2 Fire alarm sounders for property
remote manned centre, then users should satisfy protection (type P)
themselves of the reliability of the method of The primary purpose of systems installed for
communication used between the remote centre and property protection is to summon fire-fighting
the appropriate fire brigade. The 999 system is assistance. The number of alarm sounders within
normally only usable if the remote manned centre the building need only be sufficient to summon local
and the protected premises are in the same fire fire fighting effort, such as trained staff or a works
authority area. If the public switched network is fire brigade. In the areas where an alarm is
used it is important that the fire brigade number is required, it should meet the audibility
one nominated by the brigade as reserved for recommendations of 9.4.
emergency calls. Calls via a fire brigade
administrative number should not be used. A sounder should be provided near the control and
indicating equipment to draw attention to the
Transmission of the alarm should not be prevented indications of fire. The sound level of this sounder
by the act of silencing alarm sounders, nor should it should be suitable for its application, e.g. the sound
depend on the state of any silencing switch. level required in a fully manned security room may
8.3 Non-automatic transmission of the alarm be low, while that required where the control
If communication with the fire brigade is by means equipment is unwatched in a noisy environment
of telephones, care should be taken that the would be high. An external sounder should be
operation of fire alarm and fault warning sounders provided to guide fire-fighting assistance to the
correct entrance point to the building.
does not interfere with telephone speech.

NOTE Cases have been reported in which the telephone In practice most buildings having property
mouthpiece has picked up the sound of the fire alarm sounders. protection systems will also require an alarm
The resultant signal has confused the tone-selective dialling system to protect the staff in the building. If this is
system leading to failure of the emergency call. The frequency
range used for tone-selective dialling is the same as that
integrated with the property protection system,
recommended in this part of BS 5839 as having the best then the alarm sounders should also satisfy the
audibility. recommendations of 9.3.
If the alarm is intended to be sent by a designated 9.3 Fire alarm sounders for life protection
person, such as an operator or receptionist, then (types L and M)
consideration should be given to possible effects of
the fire on that person and to any consequential The number of fire alarm sounders used should be
need for fire protection. sufficient to produce the sound level recommended
in 9.4 in all accessible parts of the building. It is
9 Audible and visual alarms essential that an audible fire alarm can still be
given in the event of failure of one sounder, and
9.1 General hence a minimum of two sounders should be
Advice on the connection of sounder circuits is given provided even if the recommended sound level could
in 6.6.3. Wiring used for sounders should be in be achieved with a single sounder. At least one
accordance with 17.2 a). sounder should be provided in each fire
A fire alarm system may be required to have a compartment.
sounder outside a building. The position of this Sounders should be suitably distributed throughout
sounder should be agreed with the fire brigade, it the building having regard to the attenuation of
should be adequately protected from the weather, sound caused by walls, floors, ceilings and
and its case should be clearly marked partitions. Particular attention should be paid to
“FIRE ALARM”. attenuation where sounders in corridors are
In buildings in multiple occupancy it may be expected to serve surrounding rooms. Most single
necessary for an alarm of fire to be given in premises doors will give an attenuation of at least 20 dB, and
other than those in which the alarm has been solid doors, such as fire doors, may give
initiated. attenuations greater than 30 dB. Thus it is unlikely
that sound levels in a room will be satisfactory if it
A clearly labelled facility should be available for
is separated from the nearest sounder by more than
starting or restarting the fire alarm sounders.
one door. A larger number of quieter sounders
Operation of this facility should not be dependent on
rather than a few very loud sounders may be
the state of any silencing device.
preferable in order to prevent excessive sound levels
in some areas.
16 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
9.4 Audibility of alarms 9.4.4 Sound continuity. The sound of the fire alarm
9.4.1 Level of sound. A minimum sound level of should be continuous although the frequency and
either 65 dB(A), or 5 dB(A) above any other noise amplitude may vary, for example as in a warbling
likely to persist for a period longer than 30 s, note, provided that the distinction from the alert
whichever is the greater, should be produced by the signal described in 9.9 is clear.
sounders in all accessible parts of the building 9.4.5 Audible alarms in noisy areas. In parts of
except as may be recommended in 8.3. If the fire buildings where there are noisy machines, the
routine for the premises requires the audible alarm power requirements of the high power sounders
to arouse sleeping persons then the minimum sound needed to comply with the recommendations of 9.4.1
level should be 75 dB(A) at the bedhead with all may place excessively high demands on the
doors shut. This will not guarantee that every capacities of standby supplies. In such cases, the
person will be awakened but can reasonably be sounders of the fire alarm system (the primary
expected to wake a sleeping person in most sounders) may be reinforced by secondary sounders
circumstances. operated directly from the mains supply and
Due to the short period for which the fire alarm without standby supplies, provided that all of the
sound should be experienced, damage to hearing is following apply:
unlikely to be caused by sound levels a) when the machine noise ceases and the
below 120 dB(A). Where levels higher than this secondary sounders are out of service, the
might be required, special provisions (such as visual primary sounders meet the sound levels
signals) may be necessary. recommended in 9.4.1;
NOTE An instrument complying with BS 5969, type 2, with slow b) the primary sounders in all other parts of the
response and A weighting, is suitable for measuring the sound premises are distinctly audible at all times when
level.
operated;
9.4.2 Discrimination. The type, number and
c) failure of the supply to the secondary sounders
location of fire alarm sounders should be such that
will either result in the silencing of the noisy
the alarm sound is distinct from the background
machines or in the giving of an audible and
noise. The note of the fire alarm sounders should be
visible fault warning at the control and indicating
distinct from any other sounders likely to be heard,
and in particular should be distinct from the audible equipment.
fault warning signal given in the control equipment. 9.4.6 Intelligibility. Any speech message carrying
All fire alarm sounders within a building should information or instructions relevant to fire action
have similar sound characteristics, unless should be intelligible above the background noise in
particular conditions such as an area of high any part of the building to which the message is
background noise makes this impracticable; in this addressed. Where the level of sound of this message
case other types of fire alarm may also be provided falls below that recommended in 9.4.1, the message
(see also 9.4.5 and 9.7). should be preceded for at least 6 s by an
9.4.3 Frequency. The ear of a young person is most attention-drawing signal, having at least the
loudness recommended by 9.4.1 and which is used
sensitive to sounds at frequencies between 500 Hz
only as a fire warning signal. Where the fire action
and 8000 Hz. Age and hearing damage reduce the
in the building depends on the reception of verbal
sensitivity of the ear, particularly to frequencies
messages, the attention-drawing signal should not
above 2000 Hz. Partitions, dividing walls and doors
will attenuate sound; in general, the higher the normally last for more than 10 s.
frequency of the sound the greater will be the NOTE Advice on planning and installation of such systems is
given in BS 6259.
attenuation.
9.5 Grouping of fire alarm sounders
The fire alarm sounder frequencies should therefore
ideally lie in the range 500 Hz to 1000 Hz. If a In a small building the sounding of alarms can (and
two-tone alarm is used, at least one of the major usually will) be so arranged that any alarm operates
frequencies should lie within this range. Where the the sounders throughout the building.
frequency range of background noise is such as to If the fire alarm system extends to several
mask the 500 Hz to 1000 Hz range, then the use of buildings, or to other parts of a building unlikely to
sounder frequencies outside this range may be be affected by a fire in one zone, then the system
acceptable. may be so arranged that the alarms sound initially
only in the zone of origin, or in that zone and in
adjoining areas, or in that zone and in other areas
where fire might be particularly dangerous, perhaps
because of flammable contents or difficult egress.
© BSI 10-1998 17
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
It is essential that the grouping of fire alarm Any visual signal forming part of the fire alarm
sounders is based on consideration of the fire system should be clearly distinguishable from any
routine of the building or individual premises and other visual signal used in the premises. Where
on the action which would be required of people in flashing lights, such as xenon flash tubes or rotating
those areas if fire should occur. The grouping should beacons, are used it is important that there is no
be so designed that, wherever the origin of the fire, possibility of confusion with two-stage alarms
any person needing immediate warning, whether (see 9.9). The flashing rate should be in the
for evacuation or any other action, will receive that range 30 to 120 cycles per minute.
warning automatically and without any manual The intensity of the light should be sufficient to
intervention. The grouping should be reflected in draw the attention of people in the vicinity, but not
the fire instructions issued for the use of the so high as to cause difficulty in vision due to glare.
occupants (see also 9.9 and 9.10).
Wiring to visual alarm signalling devices should
Where fire alarm sounders are grouped, the control comply with recommendations for wiring to alarm
equipment should have facilities both for controlling sounders, i.e. should be in accordance with 17.2 a).
each group individually and for sounding an alarm
(either alert or evacuate) in all groups 9.8 Coded fire alarm signalling
simultaneously. The wiring should be so arranged Coded fire alarm signalling on alarm sounders
that failure of a sounder or of sounder wiring in one (e.g. one ring meaning “first floor” and two rings
group will not cause the failure of any other group. meaning “second floor”, etc.) should not be used.
9.6 Control sounders Such coded signals on alarm sounders are liable to
misinterpretation however well drilled fire-fighting

9.6.1 Fire alarm control and indicating equipment staff or occupants may be.
should incorporate, or have located near it, an
audible device that sounds in the event of the 9.9 Two-stage fire alarms
operation of the first detector or call point to operate In certain large and/or high rise buildings it may be
in any zone. This signal may, but need not, be the desired to evacuate first those areas of the premises
same as the general fire alarm sounders. at the greatest risk, usually those closest to the fire
The signal may be manually silenced but should or immediately above it. In such cases a two-stage
sound again when the first detector or call point in alarm may be used in which an evacuation signal is
another zone operates. given in a restricted area, together with an alert
signal in other areas. If such a system is considered,
9.6.2 The operation of a silencing switch, either for
early consultation with the fire authority is
the general fire alarm sounders or for the signal
essential. It is important that in any such system
described in 9.6.1, should cause an audible signal to the evacuation signal should immediately and
be given in or near the control equipment. This automatically be given in the zone of origin of the
audible signal, which may be the same as that for a alarm. Consideration should be given to the
fault warning, is intended to act as a reminder that
communications that may be needed to control
the silencing switch has been operated. It should
evacuation.
give a distinctive sound different from that of any
other alarm sounder used to give a fire alarm and The boundaries of each of the restricted areas in
different from that of the signal described in 9.6.1. which signals can be given should be those of fire
compartments having accepted standards of fire
NOTE The provision of a visual indication of operation of such a
silencing switch may be desirable. separation from other compartments. The
9.6.3 The signals described in 9.6.1 and 9.6.2 should “evacuate” signal should be in accordance with 9.4;
not be so loud as to interfere with the making of calls the “alert” signal should be intermittent, 1 ± 0.5 s on
to the fire brigade (see 8.3). and 1 ± 0.5 s off. Provision should be made for
manually changing the “alert” signal to the
9.7 Visual alarm signals “evacuate” signal in any area. Provision may also be
In areas where a normal type of sounder may be made for automatically changing from the “alert”
ineffective, e.g. where the background noise is signal to the “evacuate” signal. These provisions
excessive, where the occupants are deaf or where should be defined in the discussion of the action in
hearing protection is likely to be worn, visual the event of fire (see 4.2).
signals should also be used. If an alarm is given from a manual call point by an
In general, visual signals should only be used to escaping person, then the position of the call point
supplement audible alarms; they should not be used may not be directly related to that of the fire. Any
on their own. The operation of a sounder should not areas not to be given an evacuation alarm in
be prevented by a defect in a visual signal or vice response to such a signal will require careful
versa. consideration.
18 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
9.10 Staff alarms e) not prevent the correct operation of any control
In some premises an initial general alarm may be for starting or restarting the alarm sounders
undesirable. In places of entertainment, shops, (see 9.1);
dance halls or exhibitions, for example, an f) not prevent the transmission of an alarm to a
evacuation controlled by staff may be preferred. In remote manned centre.
some hospital departments, distress or disturbance In addition to the silencing switch at the control
due to alarms may create additional problems for equipment, provision may be made for silencing
staff. In such premises it may be desirable, subject switches in individual zones remote from the control
to statutory or other requirements, to restrict the equipment. Operation of a remote silencing switch
local alarm in the first instance to the staff. A should:
restricted alarm system should only be used where
1) require a manual operation;
staff, including night staff, are sufficient in number
and fully trained in the action that they are to take 2) result in an audible signal at the remote switch
in the event of a fire. which should continue while the alarm sounders
remain silenced;
The restricted alarm may be given by means of
sounders or other types of communication 3) be automatically reset on operation of the main
(including personal paging systems) not noticeable silencing switch or cessation of the alarm
to public, residents or patients. Sounders may be condition.
supplemented by an adequate number of visual The responsibility and criteria for operating any
signals throughout the premises for staff silencing device should be decided as part of the
recognition only. A restricted alarm system should action to be taken in the event of fire, and should be
incorporate means of summoning fire-fighting staff clearly specified and understood. Automatic
to the outbreak when the alarm is given. silencing of alarms or alert signals should not be
Premises having a restricted alarm system should used.
also have provision for sounding a general alarm, The reset switch should not be used as a method of
which should be sounded either if a responsible silencing the alarm sounders, since this may destroy
person considers it desirable to do so, or the indication of the location of a fire. It is preferable
automatically after a predetermined period. The for the control equipment to be so arranged that the
responsibility and criteria for sounding the general equipment cannot be reset until the silencing device
alarm should be decided as part of the action to be has been operated.
taken in the event of fire, and should be clearly 9.12 Audible alarms by intercommunication or
specified and understood. Restriction of the alarm in public address equipment
this way should not prevent immediate
transmission of the alarm to the fire brigade or Where intercommunication or public address
other remote manned centre. The authorities equipment is used in lieu of conventional sounders,
concerned should be consulted very early in the the following should be ensured.
design stage as to the specification of an appropriate a) That the alarm of fire is automatically and
system. simultaneously transmitted to all areas in which
the alarm is required, taking priority and
9.11 Silencing devices
overriding every other facility and circuit
It should be a principle of design and operation of a condition of the equipment.
fire alarm system that once an alarm state has been
b) That other signals, e.g. meal-break, start and
initiated it should continue until normal conditions
stop work, cannot be confused with the fire alarm
have been restored. However, a silencing device
signals and cannot be broadcast at the same time
should be provided which can silence general alarms
as fire alarm signals.
or, in two-stage systems, alert signals.
c) That the power supply equipment complies
The operation of a silencing device should:
with the recommendations of clause 16. If the
a) require a manual operation; intercommunication or public address equipment
b) cause the audible signal described in 9.6.2 to be shares the power supply of the fire alarm system,
given; then the total standby and alarm loads of both
c) not cancel any visual signal of the alarm at the systems should be considered when calculating
control equipment; the battery capacity.
d) not prevent the proper receipt of alarms from
any zone(s) not already providing an alarm;
© BSI 10-1998 19
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
d) That in the event of mains failure, the duration 5) That the level of sound in the building complies
of the standby supply cannot be made to fall with the recommendations of 9.2 for property
below that recommended in clause 16 by the use protection systems, or 9.3 for life protection
of the system for purposes other than giving the systems.
fire alarm. Where the transmitted alarm is not a voice message,
e) That the cable and wiring of the system comply its audibility should comply with the
with clause 17 and are monitored in accordance recommendations of 9.2 for property protection
with 6.6. systems or 9.3 for life protection systems.
f) That the amplifier is constructed to comply 9.13 Limitation of alarm information
with clauses 4 and 5 of BS 5839-4:1988. In some systems much information about both the
g) That where the fire alarm system does not state of the system and any fire condition is
include control equipment having control available. It is important that, in order to avoid
sounders, the recommendations of 9.6 are met. confusion, the amount of information given is
h) That where the fire action in the building limited to that which is both necessary and
depends on a continuing ability to give signals sufficient.
over the public address system, consideration 9.14 Use of the fire alarm sound for other
should be given to the consequences of failure of purposes
amplifiers, tone generators, synthesizers,
pre-recorded tapes, etc., and to any consequential In general, fire alarm sounds should be used for
need for duplication. In general, systems using other purposes only if the response required is
moving parts (such as tapes) should be identical to that which would be required in a fire,
considered as less reliable than other systems. i.e. immediate evacuation of the area in which the
alarm is sounding by the use of any route designated
Where the transmitted alarm is a voice message the as a fire exit. If any other response is required then
following should be ensured and reference should be fire alarm sounds should not be used unless
made to BS 7443. accompanied by other information. However, as an
1) That a suitable alarm (either pre-recorded or established exception, it may be permissible in
synthesized) is immediately and automatically schools to use a coded signal of short duration to
transmitted on the receipt of a fire signal; this indicate the start or finish of predetermined periods.
transmission should not depend on the presence The duration of the coded signal should not
of an operator. exceed 5 s. Where new systems are being installed,
2) That the time interval between successive or where sounders are being replaced, the use of
messages does not exceed 30 s, and that “fill-in” sounders capable of delivering several distinct
signals similar to those of conventional sounders sounds should be considered, with one of the sounds
are used wherever periods of silence might being reserved for fire alarm use.
otherwise exceed 10 s.
3) That during fire alarm conditions all audio
10 Manual call points
input sources are automatically disconnected 10.1 General
except the speech modules (or equivalent Manual call points should comply with BS 5839-2.
message generators) which give the warning, or
those microphones designated as fire It is important that manual call points are clearly
microphones. These should be retained in circuit identifiable and simple to use without the need for
so that announcements and instructions relating instructions as to their method of operation. The
to the emergency can be given. At least one fire method of operation of all manual call points in an
microphone should normally be sited near to the installation should be identical unless there is a
control equipment. It may be necessary for special reason for differentiation. If necessary a
additional fire microphone positions to be striker should be provided adjacent to the call point
provided at places well separated from the first. to facilitate breaking the frangible cover.
In such cases the system should be so designed A person operating a manual call point should not
that it is not possible for messages from more be left in doubt as to the success of the operation.
than one microphone, speech module or message The delay between operation of a call point and the
generator to be broadcast simultaneously. giving of the general alarm should therefore not
4) That all voice messages are clear, short, exceed 3 s.
unambiguous and, as far as practicable, NOTE A maximum delay of 8 s applied to systems installed
before 1 January 1990.
preplanned.
20 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
If the design of the system is such that the 11 Types of fire detector
indication of the alarm could be unwittingly
11.1 General
cancelled at the call point after the glass has first
been broken, then the delay between operation of Fire detectors are designed to detect one or more of
the call point and the giving of the general alarm three characteristics of a fire: smoke, heat and
should not exceed 1 s. radiation (flame). No one type of detector is the most
Requirements additional to those of BS 5839-2 may suitable for all applications and the final choice will
be necessary where call points are to be used in depend on individual circumstances. It will often be
flammable or explosive atmospheres (see 6.5), or useful to employ a mixture of different types of
where frangible element fragments are detector.
objectionable, such as in food preparation areas. Most, if not all, fire detectors are affected not only by
the level of the detected phenomena but also by the
10.2 Siting
behaviour of the phenomena with time. In some
Manual call points should be located on exit routes cases this is deliberate, as with detectors responding
and in particular on the floor landings of stairways to rate-of-change of phenomena; in others it is the
and at exits to the open air. [Special consideration effect, for instance, of delays in smoke entry or of
may need to be given for staged alarm systems thermal lags. In systems using analogue detectors,
(see 7.3 and 9.9).] They should be so located that, to the time response of the system can often be
give the alarm, no person in the premises need controlled or modified by the processing software in
travel more than 30 m. It may be necessary to have the control equipment.
travel distances to a call point much less than 30 m

All fire detectors will respond to some extent to
where the expected occupants of the building are
phenomena other than fire; reducing the incidence
likely to be slow in movement, or where potentially
of such false alarms is covered in clause 14.
hazardous conditions exist, e.g. in close proximity to
cellulose spray booths. The action to be taken in the 11.2 Heat detectors
event of fire may make the provision of additional There are two main types of heat-sensitive detector.
manual call points necessary. One is the “point” type of detector responding to the
In general, call points should be fixed at a height temperature of the gases in the immediate vicinity
of 1.4 m above the floor, at easily accessible, well of a single point. The other is the “line” type of
illuminated and conspicuous positions free from detector which responds to the temperature of the
obstruction. Manual call points should be sited gases in the vicinity of a line (not necessarily
against a contrasting background to assist in easy straight). Line detectors can be integrating or
recognition. They may be flush mounted in locations non-integrating: in the integrating type the
where they will be seen readily, but where they will response to temperature at one point on the line is
be viewed from the side (e.g. in corridors) they modified by the temperature of the remainder of the
should be surface mounted or semi-recessed in order line, while in the non-integrating type the response
to present a side profile area of not less to temperature at one point is independent of
than 750 mm2. temperatures at other points on the line.
10.3 Manual call points in automatic systems In both main types (point and line) there are two
main subdivisions.
If manual and automatic devices are to be installed
in the same building for the purpose of providing a a) Fixed temperature (static) elements. These are
general alarm of fire, then they may be incorporated designed to operate when they reach a
into a single system; zoning of such systems is pre-selected threshold temperature.
covered in 7.3, and the connection of call points to b) Rate-of-rise of temperature elements. These are
circuits containing fire detectors is covered in 6.6.2. designed to operate when their temperature rises
Where manual call points are incorporated in an abnormally quickly.
automatic system the delay between the operation Point heat detectors should comply with BS 5445-5,
of the call point and the indications of alarm should except in high temperature areas (see 11.5.2
comply with the recommendations of 10.1. and 12.3.2), where heat detectors complying with
BS 5445-8 should be used.
© BSI 10-1998 21
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
Heat detectors complying with BS 5445 will always In an aspirating smoke detector, the tube from the
have fixed temperature elements, and may protected space to the central detector may have one
additionally contain rate-of-rise elements. Heat or more holes through which smoke may be drawn.
detectors not containing fixed temperature Design of the system should take into account any
elements are unlikely to respond to very dilution of smoke taken into one hole by clean air
slow-growing fires, and should therefore not be taken into others. The amount of air entering each
used. hole is usually small, and should not be considered
NOTE Reference in this clause to static and rate-of-rise elements as modifying air or smoke flows within the protected
should not be taken as requiring physically separate elements, space. In general, each hole may be considered as a
but as requiring a detector response equivalent to that of a separate point smoke detector, and siting of the
detector containing the separate elements. Particularly in
analogue output detectors, the response of a single temperature holes may be based on the siting requirements for
sensor can be electrically modified to produce the desired detector point smoke detectors. The system should be such
response. that separate signals are obtained from each zone.
11.3 Smoke detectors The design and sizing of the tubing system should
comply with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
There are two commonly used classes of detectors
for detecting smoke. 11.4 Flame detectors
a) Ionization chamber smoke detectors. These are Flame detectors detect ultraviolet and/or infra-red
based on the fact that the electric current flowing radiation. Both types use radiation-sensitive cells
between electrodes in an ionization chamber is that “see” the fire either directly or through built-in
reduced when smoke particles enter the chamber. lenses or reflectors.

b) Optical smoke detectors. These operate by Infra-red flame detectors are intended to respond to
detecting the scattering or absorption of light by the flickering radiation emitted by the diffusion
smoke particles. type of flame normally found in fires. Because of the
There are “point” type smoke detectors that detect presence of other infra-red sources, such as the sun,
smoke at one position and which may be based on infra-red flame detectors will usually have some
optical or ionization chamber principles, aspirating method of discriminating between fire and non-fire
smoke detectors in which air is taken from a number radiation; flicker sensing or the use of one or more
of positions to a central detector and “beam” type specific infra-red emission bands are common
smoke detectors working on the optical obscuration techniques.
principle. Beam detectors are effectively line Ultraviolet flame detectors detect the ultraviolet
detectors since they can detect the presence of radiation emitted from flames, and normally
smoke in only a small part of the beam. operate in the range of wavelengths from 200 nm
Some optical beam smoke detectors can also sense to 270 nm. Solar radiation in this range is absorbed
thermal turbulence from a fire by detecting the by the high altitude ozone layer, and hence
refraction of the beam at turbulent interfaces ultraviolet detectors do not normally respond to
between hot and cold air. sunlight.
Point smoke detectors should comply with 11.5 Choice of fire detectors
BS 5445-7 or, for residential applications, 11.5.1 General. In any automatic fire detection
BS 5446-1 (excluding self-contained smoke alarms). system a detector has to discriminate between a fire
Smoke detectors (other than self-contained smoke and the normal environment existing within the
alarms) complying with BS 5446-1 may also be building. The system chosen should have detectors
suitable for an industrial or commercial that are suited to the conditions and that provide
environment that is similar to that present in the earliest reliable warning. Each type of detector
residential premises. Optical beam smoke detectors responds at a different rate to different kinds of fire.
should comply with BS 5839-5. With a slowly smouldering fire such as the initial
stages of a fire involving cardboard, a smoke
detector would probably operate first. A fire that
evolves heat rapidly and with very little smoke
could operate a heat detector before a smoke
detector. With a flammable liquid fire a flame
detector could operate first.
22 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
In general, smoke detectors give appreciably faster 11.5.3 Smoke detectors. Ionization chamber smoke
responses than heat detectors, but may be more detectors are particularly sensitive to smoke
liable to give false alarms (see 14.3). containing small particles such as are produced in
A combination of various types of detector may be rapidly burning flaming fires, but may be less
necessary. The likely fire behaviour of the contents sensitive to the larger particles found in optically
of each part of the buildings, the processes taking dense smoke which may be produced by
place or planned and the design of the building smouldering materials. Optical smoke detectors are
should be considered. The susceptibility of the sensitive to the larger, optically active, particles
contents to heat, smoke and water damage should found in optically dense smoke, but are less
also be considered. sensitive to the small particles found in
clean-burning fires. Both types of smoke detector
Heat and smoke detectors rely on transport of the
have a sufficiently wide range of response to be of
products from the fire to the detector by convection.
general use. In some premises, however, there may
The plume above a fire is relatively narrow, and in
be specific risks for which one type is particularly
general these detectors rely on the presence of a
suitable (or particularly unsuitable); this should be
ceiling (or other similar near-horizontal surface) to
determined at an early stage.
direct the products outwards from the plume to the
detector. Heat and smoke detectors are therefore Certain materials when overheated (e.g. PVC) or
suitable for use in most buildings, but are generally when smouldering (e.g. polyurethane foam) produce
unsuitable for open-air applications. smokes having mainly large particles to which
ionization chamber smoke detectors are relatively
Flame detectors are particularly suited to outside

insensitive.
applications, where there is no ceiling to direct the
products outwards; they are especially suited to Tobacco smoke usually reaches ceiling mounted
risks in which smouldering is unlikely (such as in smoke detectors only after it has coalesced to form
liquid fuels). Flame detectors in buildings are large particles; this, and the usually low rate of
mainly used to supplement heat and smoke arrival of tobacco smoke, make ionization chamber
detectors, particularly under high ceilings and smoke detectors less likely to give a false alarm than
provided that an unobstructed view is possible. optical smoke detectors under these conditions.
The choice of detector may also be affected by the Smoke detectors cannot detect the products from
environmental conditions within the premises. In clean-burning liquids (such as alcohol) which do not
general, heat detectors have a greater resistance to produce smoke particles. This is not usually a
adverse environmental conditions than have other serious disadvantage because a fire will normally
types. involve other combustible materials at an early
stage. Clean-burning fires can be detected by their
11.5.2 Heat detectors. Heat detectors are, in general,
resulting thermal turbulence, so optical beam
less sensitive than smoke detectors. They are
smoke detectors incorporating thermal turbulence
unlikely to respond to smouldering fires, and, as a
detection are particularly suitable for such risks.
simple rule of thumb, will require the flames from
the fire to reach about one-third of the distance to Smoke detectors incorporating thermal turbulence
the ceiling before they will operate. They are detectors may be unsuitable for installation
therefore not suitable for the protection of places immediately above blower heaters or industrial
where unacceptable losses could be caused by small processes that produce appreciable waste heat.
fires, e.g. in computer rooms. Before final selection Where there are production or other processes that
of detector type, an estimate should be made of the produce smoke, fumes, dust, etc. which might
extent of the damage likely to occur before operation operate smoke detectors, an alternative type of
of a heat detector. detector should be used, i.e. heat or flame.
Heat detectors with rate-of-rise elements are more 11.5.4 Flame detectors. Because of their inability to
suitable where ambient temperatures are low or detect smouldering fires, flame detectors should be
vary only slowly, while fixed temperature detectors used in specialized applications or as a supplement
are more suitable where the ambient temperature is to heat or smoke detectors, and not be considered as
likely to fluctuate rapidly over short periods. Where general purpose detectors.
very high temperatures are likely to be encountered
(see 12.3.2) heat detectors complying with
BS 5445-8 should be used.
© BSI 10-1998 23
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
Because they do not depend on the convective When fires start in unoccupied areas they may
transport of fire products to the detector, but on the grow, if undetected, to a stage where they cannot be
virtually instantaneous and straight-line easily extinguished; since any area may be
transmission of flame radiation, flame detectors can unoccupied at some time, for maximum protection
respond to a flaming fire more quickly than can heat total coverage of the premises should be provided.
or smoke detectors, and do not need to be mounted Every portion of the building(s) should be suitably
on a ceiling. They are particularly suitable for use in protected and each effectively enclosed space should
applications such as the general surveillance of be considered separately for this purpose, although
large open areas in warehouses or timber yards, or lavatories and water closets need not have
the local surveillance of critical areas where flaming independent coverage. Such a system, giving total
fire may spread very rapidly, e.g. at pumps, valves coverage for property protection, is a type P1
or pipework containing flammable liquids, or areas system.
of thin vertical combustibles such as panelling or oil In some premises, however, the fire risk may be
paintings. Where flammable liquids are involved sufficiently low in some parts of the premises that
the areas will often have potentially explosive the installation of an automatic fire detection
atmospheres (see 6.5). system in those parts is not considered to be
For flame detectors to work with maximum justified. In such premises a type P2 system,
efficiency, they should have a clear line-of-sight to covering only part of the premises, can give a useful
the area being protected. Although reflected reduction in the probability of fire loss at a lower
radiation may be sufficient for operation, much of installation cost than would a type P1 system.
the radiation is then absorbed rather than reflected; In those areas protected by a type P2 system, the
a significantly bigger fire will be needed for spacing and siting of detectors should generally be
operation if reflected radiation is used. the same as those of a type P1 system. If a fire
The transmission of radiation depends on the ratio starting outside the protected area spreads inside it
of the radiation wavelength to the particle size in then the fire growth rate in the area is likely to be
the smoke. Infra-red radiation will penetrate smoke much higher than if the fire had been started in the
well, while ultraviolet radiation may be rapidly protected area by a small ignition source. Although
absorbed. If there is a chance that the fire may have the system in the protected area would respond
an initial smouldering phase in which the smoke quickly, the rate of growth would probably be such
produced could smoke log the area, then infra-red that a high loss would ensue before fire-fighting
detectors should be used, since any ultraviolet could start. In order to prevent such spread, areas
radiation could be absorbed by the smoke before it protected by a type P2 system should therefore be
reaches the detector. separated from unprotected areas by fire-resisting
construction.
12 Detectors installed primarily for Before a fire detection system is installed for
the protection of property (type P) insurance purposes, early consultations should be
12.1 Coverage held with the insurers.
A fire detector installation is intended to enable a 12.2 Spacing and siting of heat- or
fire to be detected at a sufficiently early stage for it smoke-sensitive detectors
to be easily extinguished without extensive property 12.2.1 General. Heat- and smoke-sensitive detectors
damage. In general people are the most sensitive depend on the convective movement of fire products
fire detectors, but they are not always present or from the fire to the detector. The spacing and siting
alert; there may be parts of the premises that are recommendations for these detectors are based on
not normally attended during working hours, and the needs to restrict the time taken for this
outside working hours there may be no one on the movement and to ensure that the products reach the
premises. The use of detectors can then significantly detector in adequate concentration.
reduce the property loss, provided that suitable 12.2.2 Spacing. For open areas under flat horizontal
provision has been made for the necessary ceilings, the horizontal distance from any point in
subsequent action. the area to the detector nearest to that point should
not exceed 5.3 m for heat detectors or 7.5 m for
smoke detectors. For line or beam detectors, the
distance should be taken as the distance to the
nearest point on the line or beam.
24 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
NOTE For estimation purposes, in any room or compartment the In general it should be considered that the
number of point-type detectors fitted should not normally be less protection of compartments exceeding 9 m in height
than the room or compartment area divided by 100 m 2 for smoke
detectors, or 50 m2 for heat detectors, except as varied by 12.2.3. presents special problems, depending on such
12.2.3 Ceilings and roofs. In a building the hottest factors as the height and configuration of the
gas and the greatest concentration of smoke (visible contents.
or invisible) will generally collect at the highest 12.2.5 Limits of ceiling height. Except in the
parts of the enclosed areas and it is here, therefore, exceptional cases of this clause and 12.2.6, detectors
that heat or smoke detectors should be sited. Except should not normally be mounted on ceilings higher
in shallow voids (see 12.2.11), detectors should be than the general limits of Table 1. If small sections
sited so that their sensitive elements are not less of a ceiling (not exceeding in total 10 % of the ceiling
than 25 mm or more than 150 mm below the ceiling area) exceed in height the general limits of Table 1,
or roof for heat detectors, and not less than 25 mm those higher sections may be protected by point-type
or more than 600 mm below the ceiling or roof for heat detectors provided that the ceiling height in the
smoke detectors. higher sections does not exceed 10.5 m, or by
If a protected space has a pitched roof or north-light point-type smoke detectors provided that the ceiling
roof, then detectors should be installed within each height in the higher sections does not exceed 12.5 m.
apex. If the difference in height between the top and 12.2.6 Ceiling height limits with rapid attendance.
bottom of an apex is less than the maximum depth Although an increased ceiling height means that the
allowed between the roof and the detector (150 mm fire will be larger when it is detected, the size of the
fire when fire fighting starts will also depend on the
for heat detectors or 600 mm for smoke detectors)

then the roof may be treated as if it were flat. delay between detection and the start of
For detectors mounted in the apex of a pitched or fire-fighting. If this delay is small, then the increase
north-light roof, the recommendations of 12.2.2 for in fire size at detection due to a higher ceiling can be
the horizontal distance from the point to the acceptable.
detector may be increased by 1 % for each degree of If the detection system is automatically connected to
slope of the roof up to a maximum increase of 25 %, the fire brigade either directly or via a central
and the area limits per point-type detector given (fire alarm) station as described in appendix A, and
in 12.2.2 may be increased in proportion to the the usual attendance time of the fire brigade is not
square of the increased distance. For example, if the more than 5 min, then the rapid attendance limits of
roof slopes at 10° the distance may be increased ceiling height given in Table 1 may be applied. If
by 10 % to 1.1 times the given distance, and the area small sections of a ceiling (not exceeding in
covered may be increased to 1.21 times the given total 10 % of the ceiling area) exceed in height the
area. limits of Table 1, those higher sections may be
12.2.4 Effects of ceiling height. As the smoke and hot protected by point-type heat detectors if their height
gas from a fire rise, they become diluted with clean, does not exceed 15 m, or by point-type smoke
cool air from around the plume. Hence the size of detectors if their height does not exceed 18 m.
fire required in order to operate heat or smoke 12.2.7 Low ceilings. Under low ceilings the converse
detectors increases rapidly as the height of the to 12.2.4 applies. Since there is little dilution, the
ceiling above the fire increases. To some extent the detector will respond to very small fires. For smoke
effect can be overcome by the use of more sensitive detectors, care in siting is necessary to avoid
detectors. nuisance operation by tobacco smoke and smoke
In addition to reducing the smoke density, the from other small sources. Less sensitive detectors
dilution will increase the total volume of fire may be useful, and the detector manufacturer may
products in the plume, and hence cause it to spread be able to supply a cover to prevent direct entry of
further on reaching the ceiling. smoke from below without inhibiting normal entry
from the side at ceiling height.
Optical beam smoke detectors are less sensitive to
the effects of height than are point-type detectors, 12.2.8 Corridors. In a corridor less than 5 m wide,
since the increased size of plume will involve a the horizontal distance given in 12.2.2 may be
greater proportion of the beam and help to alleviate increased by half the difference between 5 m and the
the effects of reduced smoke density. width of the corridor, e.g. in a corridor 3 m wide the
distances may be increased by 1 m. A corridor wider
than 5 m should be treated as an open area as
recommended in 12.2.2.
© BSI 10-1998 25
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
Table 1 — Limits of ceiling heights 12.2.11 Voids. Voids less than 800 mm in height
Ceiling heights
need not have independent coverage unless the void
is such that extensive spread of fire or fire products,
Detector type General Rapid particularly between rooms or compartments, can
limits attendance take place within it before detection. Where it is
m m considered necessary to install detectors in shallow
voids having poor ventilation (for instance,
Heat detectors under-floor service voids) then special care should
BS 5445-5 grade 1 9.0 13.5 be taken with the positioning of the detectors.
grade 2 7.5 12.0 In a fire the initial smoke layer will usually take up
only the top 10 % of the void height. In shallow voids
grade 3 6.0 10.5
the thickness of the layer may be small compared
Point smoke detectors as 10.5 15.0 with the detector’s dimensions, and therefore care
described in 11.3 should be taken that the sensing element of the
High temperature heat 6.0 10.5 detector lies within the top 10 % of the void. To do
detectors this it may be necessary to mount the detector in an
unusual orientation; precautions against the
BS 5445-8 deposition of dirt or dust may be needed.
Optical beam smoke 25.0 40.0 12.2.12 Vertical shafts and ceiling penetrations.
detectors Where stairways, enclosed chutes through floors, or
BS 5839-5 shafts for lifts, hoists or escalators penetrate

ceilings, detectors should be so sited that at each
12.2.9 Walls and partitions. Detectors (other than level at least one detector is placed on the ceiling
optical beam smoke detectors, see 12.4.3) should not within 1.5 m of the penetration. A detector should
be mounted within 500 mm of any walls or also be sited at the top of each stairway, enclosure or
partitions. Where rooms are divided into sections by shaft. If an elevator or stairway has a sloping ceiling
walls, partitions or storage racks reaching to then there may be a need for detectors to be sited on
within 300 mm of the ceiling, the dividers should be that ceiling.
considered as if they reached the ceiling and the 12.2.13 Enclosed stairways. In enclosed stairways
sections should be considered as separate rooms. detectors should be sited on each main landing.
12.2.10 Obstructions. If the passage of smoke or hot 12.2.14 Lantern-lights. A detector should be sited in
gas from a point to a detector is likely to be any lantern-light used for ventilation or having a
disturbed by a ceiling obstruction (such as a beam) height above the ceiling greater than 800 mm.
having a depth greater than 150 mm but less Detectors fitted in lantern-lights are liable to rapid
than 10 % of the height of the ceiling, then the temperature variations due to solar and/or internal
distances allowed by 12.2.2, 12.2.3 and 12.2.8 heating. Where heat detectors are used they should
should be decreased by twice the depth of the not include rate-of-rise elements, and should be
obstruction. Detectors should not be mounted protected from direct sunlight.
within a distance of 500 mm from any such 12.2.15 Stratification. As the plume from a fire
obstruction. Ceiling obstructions deeper than 10 % rises, it draws in air from round about it. This
of the ceiling height should be treated as walls, and dilutes the fire products and brings the temperature
the recommendations of 12.2.9 should be followed. of the plume closer to that of the surrounding air. If
Isolated attachments to the ceiling such as lighting the temperature of the surrounding air rises with
fittings and luminaires do not normally act as height, then it is possible for the plume to be so
obstructions to the general flow of smoke. They may, cooled in the lower part of the room height that it is
however, cause a local disturbance, and detectors cooler than the higher air. The plume will then
should not be mounted closer to such attachments spread out to form a smoke layer before it reaches
than twice the depth of the attachment. the ceiling, and will thus not operate ceiling
mounted detectors.
26 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
In general, the temperature variation with height in Detectors should not be mounted directly in the
a room has its greatest gradient at the height at fresh air input from air conditioning systems. In
which most of the heat is fed into the room. general, a spacing of not less than 1 m between the
Convection from the room heaters tends to stir the detector and the air inlet should be maintained.
air above the heaters, bringing it to a roughly Where the air inlet is through a perforated ceiling,
constant temperature, while the air below the the ceiling should be imperforate for a radius of at
heaters remains cool. The most likely height for least 600 mm round each detector.
smoke stratification to occur is therefore the level of The use of exploratory smoke tests to identify the
the room heaters. optimum positions for detectors in ventilated areas
If the room heaters are at low level, then the fire is recommended. Consideration should also be given
plume is unlikely to be significantly cooled before to the detection of fires which might occur when the
reaching the heater level, and thus is likely to rise ventilation is turned off.
through the heater level without stratifying. If the 12.2.17 Remote indication of operation. If a detector
room heaters are at high level, however, smoke is concealed, for example in a void, then it may be
stratification is likely to occur at about the heater desirable to provide a remote indication of its
level. It should be remembered that the heat input operation. If necessary a label should be provided at
to the room may not be confined to the main room the indicator to show the location of the detector.
heaters; solar heating of the roof or heating by
12.2.18 Additional detectors. The use to which any
ceiling-level hot water pipes can be very effective in
room, space, area or void is to be put, or its
causing stratification.
structural features, may necessitate the installation

Because of the variables associated with different of detectors additional to those otherwise
heating patterns, it is usually difficult to predict recommended.
with certainty the level at which stratification will
12.2.19 Adverse environments. Where possible,
occur. If detectors are mounted at an expected
detectors should not be mounted in places where
stratification level, and stratification does not occur
they are subjected to local adverse environmental
or occurs at a higher level than the detectors, then
conditions, e.g. on a machine producing high levels
detection may be dangerously delayed.
of vibration, shock or pollution. If it is not possible to
However, if ceiling level detectors are used, then as avoid such conditions, or if the adverse environment
the fire gets bigger and releases more heat the is general in the area, then the manufacturer should
plume will break through the stratification layer be consulted.
and the detectors will operate. Thus ceiling level
detectors should always be used, even where 12.3 Additional recommendations for siting of
supplementary detectors are mounted at an heat-sensitive detectors
expected stratification level. 12.3.1 Rapidly changing ambient temperatures.
Since the normal ceiling temperature is unlikely to Where sudden changes in temperature are likely,
approach the operating temperature of a heat e.g. in kitchens, boiler houses, furnace or kiln rooms,
detector, stratification is unlikely to affect the the risk of false alarms caused by rapidly rising
response of heat detectors, and even in the presence temperatures should be minimized by the use of
of stratification smoke detectors are likely to heat detectors without a rate-of-rise element. Such
operate before heat detectors. circumstances should be the subject of consultation
with interested parties.
12.2.16 Ventilation and air movement. In siting heat
or smoke detectors, consideration should be given to 12.3.2 High temperatures. Where ambient
the possible patterns of air movement in the temperatures are likely to exceed 43 °C, e.g. in
premises. Air conditioning and ventilation systems kitchens, boiler houses, furnace or kiln rooms, the
with high air change rates may adversely affect the nominal operating temperature of a heat detector
response of detectors by directing fresh air over may need to be greater than that permitted by
them, by drawing heat and smoke away from them, BS 5445-5. In such cases a heat detector complying
or by diluting the hot gases produced by a fire. In with BS 5445-8 should be used. The nominal
these conditions the siting and provision of detectors operating temperature should not exceed the
both require special consideration. In general, if the expected maximum ambient temperature by more
room ventilation rate exceeds four changes per hour than 30 °C. Such circumstances should also be the
then additional detectors may be required. For subject of consultation with interested parties.
applications in computer suites or data processing
areas, BS 6266 should be consulted.
© BSI 10-1998 27
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
12.3.3 Heat-sensitive line detectors. Heat-sensitive In order to avoid the effects of air turbulence, smoke
line detectors may be particularly suitable for detectors or probes should be installed in a straight
protecting items of plant or cabling. When used for stretch of ducting, at a distance from the nearest
these purposes, the detector should be mounted as bend, corner or junction of at least three times the
close as possible to the place where fire or width of the ducting.
overheating might occur, and either be mounted If placed in high or variable speed air flows, some
above the risk or in thermal contact with it. designs of smoke detector may malfunction, either
12.4 Additional recommendations for siting by failure to give an alarm or by giving false alarms.
smoke detectors Manufacturers of such detectors will usually
12.4.1 General. Among other factors that can provide ancillary sampling tubes or windshields,
establish temporary or permanent conditions and these should be installed where necessary.
Aspirating or air sampling detection systems in
having an effect on the siting of smoke detectors are
which air is drawn into the sampling point at a
the following:
controlled rate by a pump are generally independent
a) the various forms of fan-assisted overhead of the rate of air flow near the sampling point, and
heating; may offer significant advantages over conventional
b) air-cooled equipment with the exhaust air smoke detectors where the air speed in the duct is
blowing out into the room or factory area; likely to vary widely.
c) ambient air currents which may cause false 12.4.3 Optical beam smoke detectors. Optical beam
alarms or inhibit correct operation; smoke detectors should be installed in accordance
d) roofs or ceilings of unusual shape or special with the manufacturer’s instructions, with not more
construction, deep beams or smoke curtains; than 3 m of the beam within 500 mm of any wall or
partition. Those parts of the beam within 500 mm of
e) lofty buildings, e.g. buildings with ceiling
the beam’s transmitter, receiver or reflector(s) need
heights exceeding 10 m;
not be counted in the 3 m restriction.
f) stairways;
Because of the uncertainty in the position of a fire
g) rooms with cooking equipment; within the beam length, the maximum length of the
h) some boiler rooms and plant rooms; area protected by a single optical beam smoke
i) areas where vehicles powered by internal detector should not exceed 100 m. Within this
combustion engines (particularly those with limitation the manufacturer’s recommendations on
overhead or vertical exhaust outlets) may be beam length should be followed.
used. If there is a probability of people walking in the area
12.4.2 Smoke detectors in ventilation ducts. Smoke of the beam, then the beam should be at least 2.7 m
detectors may be sited to monitor smoke within above the floor.
ventilation extract ducts. In general such detectors Where optical beam smoke detectors are used in roof
are intended to assist in the prevention of spread of void areas having droppable smoke curtains, the
smoke by the ventilation system, by allowing any beams should be so arranged that they are not
recirculation to be shut off in the event of a fire. broken by the smoke curtains when they are
Although they may be connected to the fire alarm dropped.
system, these smoke detectors should not normally 12.5 Recommendations for siting of flame
be considered as constituting on their own a detectors
satisfactory fire detection system. The dilution Some types of flame detector respond to the
caused by the extraction of clean air together with
instantaneous level of radiation received, while
smoke reduces the effectiveness of duct-mounted
others depend on the level received over a period. In
smoke detectors as a general fire detection and
either case the response will depend on the distance
alarm system, and if the air-handling equipment is
between the flame detector and the fire, since the
switched off the smoke detectors will be unable to radiation level received is inversely proportional to
obtain the air samples necessary for satisfactory the square of this distance. Increased distance from
operation.
the fire to the flame detector will therefore lead to
Where the air from several extract points is an increase in the size of the fire at detection. Advice
combined into one duct the effectiveness of a smoke on the maximum spacings to be used should be
detector in the combined duct may be further sought from the manufacturer.
reduced by dilution or stratification of the smoke. To
avoid this further reduction it may be necessary to
install a smoke detector near each of the extract
points.
28 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
A clear line-of-sight to the area being protected is 13.2 Automatic detection

preferred. Reflected radiation of sufficient intensity 13.2.1 General. In circumstances where a
can actuate a flame detector, but the use of reflected particularly early warning of fire is necessary for
radiation will significantly increase the fire size at the safety of life, automatic fire detectors should be
detection, Where possible, flame detectors should be installed. They should never be considered as
sited to avoid a direct line-of-sight to likely sources sufficient on their own, however, but should be used
of non-fire radiation which might cause false to complement a manually operated fire alarm
alarms. system. For example, the installation of automatic
detectors may be required in order to compensate
13 Detectors installed primarily for for a reduction, or low level, of supervision, either
life safety (type L) permanently or at certain times; to compensate for
13.1 Manual systems a special vulnerability of the usual occupants, for
example, illness, age or unfamiliarity with the
In the event of a fire in a building, those people who building; or to improve safety where it is
are at risk can be made safe either by escaping from impracticable to provide the degree of structural
the fire, or by the fire being extinguished. Neither of
separation that would normally be desirable to
these methods can be used until people are made
prevent spread of heat or smoke. Fire detectors may
aware of the fire. To this end, most premises (except
also be installed in any other instance where an
domestic dwellings) should be provided with some
improved level of protection is desired. The extent of
means of giving the occupants warning in case of protection (see 3.3) required in any premises should
fire. In some very small premises simple be decided in the consultations described in
hand-operated devices such as hand bells or gongs
clause 4. The extent of protection may be considered
may be sufficient. However, in most other premises
at three levels: protection of escape routes;
a more sophisticated alarm system will be
protection of vulnerable areas (including escape
necessary, able to be heard throughout the premises
routes); and total coverage.
and perhaps incorporating automatic fire detection.
13.2.2 Protection of escape routes. The first level of
The effectiveness of an alarm system depends on the protection is a type L3 system. This should give
stage of the fire at which it is operated. If the alarm
warning to the occupants in time for those not
can be sounded before the fire has affected the
already directly affected by the fire to use the escape
means of escape then, except perhaps for those
routes.
caught in the earlier stages of the fire, it should be
possible for all the occupants to escape without too It will not be sufficient simply to have automatic fire
much difficulty. An earlier alarm may help even detectors on the escape routes, since by the stage at
those who may be close to the site of ignition; a later which these detectors would operate the fire may be
one may render escape difficult or impossible. spreading rapidly, or the escape routes near the fire
may already be blocked by smoke. For the protection
A type M system, operated by manual call points
of escape routes it will therefore also be necessary to
only, may be all that is needed in the following
install detectors in adjoining rooms.
circumstances:
13.2.3 Protection of vulnerable areas. The second
a) if there are likely to be alert (and preferably level of protection is a type L2 system, requiring the
trained) people about near the site of ignition; installation of detectors in those parts of the
and
premises where the most vulnerable people are
b) if the normal occupants of the building are likely to be, or where the most dangerous fires are
likely to be able to escape at a reasonable rate likely to start, as well as for the protection of escape
without assistance; and routes. The specification of the system should define
c) if the escape routes are adequately protected by those areas to be covered.
structural means from the spread of a fire or its 13.2.4 Total coverage. The third level of protection
products, or alternative escape routes will always requires fire detection in all parts of the premises.
be available. Such a system is a type L1 system, and gives the
maximum degree of improvement in safety that can
be achieved by a fire detection system.
© BSI 10-1998 29
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
13.3 Choice of fire detectors The basic provision of a type L3 system is the siting
13.3.1 General. The general considerations of 11.5 of smoke detectors in all escape routes and
apply. Detectors installed for purposes of life safety circulation areas. Further smoke detectors should
will usually be of the smoke-sensitive type, although be sited on the ceiling at the top of any stairway, and
heat-sensitive types may be used for some purposes. on landing ceilings such that the vertical distance
between adjacent detectors does not exceed 10.5 m.
13.3.2 Point and beam type smoke-sensitive Any points at which ceilings below escape routes are
detectors. These should comply with BS 5839-5, penetrated (for instance, by shafts for lifts or hoists)
BS 5445-7 or, for residential premises only, should have detectors sited as recommended
BS 5446-1 (other than self-contained smoke in 12.2.12.
alarms).
Heat detectors are unsuitable for use in escape
13.3.3 Heat-sensitive detectors. These should comply routes because, in a slow-burning fire, the
with BS 5445-5 or, in special cases, BS 5445-8 temperature required to operate them may only be
(see 11.5.2). reached after the smoke density in the escape routes
13.4 Siting and spacing has reached an intolerable level.
In those areas where detectors are installed for life 13.5.3 Detection in areas other than escape routes. A
protection, the siting, spacing and area coverage of fire which occurs in any room or enclosure and
detectors should be generally as recommended in which is allowed to develop will eventually affect
clause 12, modified as recommended in 13.5 to 13.7. adjoining escape routes. In particular, passage of
In corridors, the increased distance allowed hot fire gases through a door crack can produce
in 12.2.8 should only be applied if smoke detectors smoke sufficiently dense and cool for a corridor to
are sited in all rooms opening onto the corridors. become smoke-logged before adequate warning can
Additional suitably sited detectors may be be given by detectors in the corridor. For earlier
necessary to actuate fire protection devices ancillary detection of fire, a detector (either heat- or
to the fire alarm system, such as extinguishing smoke-sensitive) should be fitted within the room.
systems or door closers. For this purpose the detector can be mounted near
13.5 Type L3 systems: protection of escape the doorway, either on the ceiling or on the wall
routes above door level; it need not be sited as
recommended in clause 12. The need for detectors in
13.5.1 General. A type L3 system should be so rooms should form part of the consultations of
designed that in any fire an alarm is given at a clause 4.
sufficiently early stage to allow time for the escape
A detector (either heat or smoke) should be sited in
routes to be used before they are blocked by smoke.
each room (other than a toilet) that opens directly
The latest time by which the alarm should have
onto any stairway.
been given depends on the layout of the building and
on the abilities of the occupants to respond to an The absence of structural separation is not always
emergency. To give satisfactory protection of the apparent, and paths by which smoke and heat may
escape routes, detectors should be installed both on travel are sometimes evident only from a detailed
the escape routes and in rooms opening onto the study of the construction. In some circumstances a
escape routes. fire in a room, if allowed to develop, may affect
adjoining escape routes by means of penetration
13.5.2 Detection in escape routes. In general the
other than at the door opening, e.g. by wall cavities
escape routes should be the normal circulation areas
and ceiling or roof voids. Particular note should be
within the building, i.e. the normal routes by which
taken of possible fire spread through
people move round the building. In some cases a
uncompartmented roof spaces. Where the
circulation area may be the only escape route
possibility of fire spread is not eliminated by
available, for example, corridors outside bedrooms.
structural means, detectors should be sited either in
Escape through such a route would immediately be
the areas where fire might start or in the areas
made less likely by smoke penetrating from an
through which the fire products might reach the
adjacent area. Some parts of escape routes may fall
escape routes. Where detectors are hidden the use of
outside the normal circulation areas, such as where
remote indicators as described in 12.2.17 should be
an escape route leads through a room. All such
considered.
routes should be treated as escape routes.
30 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
Fires starting in lifts or lift wells may develop and Both the probability of ignition and the number of
allow smoke to move into lift and stair lobbies before people affected will increase with the number of
any smoke reaches detectors at the top of the lift room occupants; if the number of occupants is such
well. Particularly where the lift main supply cables that it constitutes a dormitory (even though it may
are run inside a lift well, consideration should be be partitioned into cubicles) then the installation of
given to providing additional protection to the lift smoke detectors may be essential for the protection
well, for example by a heat-sensitive line detector of the occupants and should be considered even in a
alongside the lift main supply cables, or by an type L3 system.
optical beam detector with a vertical beam. 13.6.4 Day accommodation. In rooms not intended
Detectors may be necessary in dormitories for sleeping accommodation the safety of the room
(see 13.6.3). occupants will rarely justify the installation of fire
13.6 Type L2 systems: vulnerable areas detectors. However, it should be realized that in
some types of premises (such as old persons homes)
13.6.1 Escape routes. In general, the most people using a day lounge will frequently be asleep,
vulnerable areas in any building are the circulation and such rooms may need to be treated as sleeping
areas, since once these are blocked it will be difficult accommodation. Smoke detection should also be
for the occupants to carry out any of the preplanned considered where the room occupants will have
actions of the fire routine. Hence the first step in any difficulty in raising an alarm or need assistance in
type L2 system should be to comply with the escaping from a fire.
recommendations for a type L3 system for escape
Fires starting in day accommodation may grow
route protection (see 13.5).

while the room is unoccupied until they endanger
13.6.2 Other areas. In addition to the escape routes, people elsewhere in the building. Where the fire
the other areas to be protected will normally fall into separation between the room and the remainder of
the following two classes: the building is such that a dangerous spread of fire
a) those areas in which the normal occupants are or fire products could occur, then either heat or
especially vulnerable to fire starting in their smoke detectors should be installed in the room.
vicinity; and 13.6.5 Store rooms. Detectors need only be installed
b) those areas having a particularly high in store rooms where structural separation is
probability of ignition and from which fire or fire insufficient to protect against spread of fire to other
products could spread to affect the building places in the building; it is unlikely that detection
occupants. will be required to protect any people who might be
The areas to be protected should be decided during in the store room.
the consultations described in clause 4, and should 13.6.6 Kitchens. Fires starting in kitchens are
be clearly laid down in the system specification. unlikely to hazard normally active occupants of the
Advice on the protection of specific areas is given kitchen, but may hazard occupants of the remainder
in 13.6.3 to 13.6.7, but all areas of the building of the building. Smoke detectors should not be used
should be considered when deciding where detectors in kitchens; where detection is considered
should be sited. If detectors are installed for the necessary, heat detectors should be used.
protection of a room’s occupants, then smoke 13.6.7 Service ducts. Where service ducts are large
detectors should be used; if they are installed in enough to be regularly entered, for instance for
order to give warning of fire before it spreads to maintenance purposes, then consideration should
other areas of the building, then either smoke or be given to the safety of persons who might be in the
heat detectors may be used. duct when a fire starts. Such consideration should
13.6.3 Sleeping accommodation. Any fire starting in include the following:
a room immediately hazards all the room’s a) the installation of detectors in the duct in case
occupants. If a fire is likely to start in a room where of fire starting in the duct;
the occupants are asleep, and there is no wakeful
watch on the room, then the recommendations of b) the sound level given in the duct by the general
12.2 and 12.4 should be followed for the siting of alarm;
smoke detectors in the room. The detectors chosen c) the means of escape for persons in the duct.
should be capable of giving sufficiently early
warning of smouldering or slow-burning fires to
prevent sleeping occupants from being overcome
(see 11.5.3).
© BSI 10-1998 31
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
13.7 Type L1 systems: total coverage 14.2 Heat detectors

Where a total cover system is installed, detectors False alarms may be caused by abnormal increases
should be sited in all areas of the building generally in temperature due to space heating equipment,
following the recommendations of 12.2. In those industrial processes or sunshine. They may be
areas where fire would have a direct effect on the prevented by installing detectors with appropriate
occupants or their escape routes, smoke detectors higher temperature settings, or, in the case of direct
should be installed. Where fire would only affect the sunlight, by introducing an appropriate shade.
occupants or the escape routes after fire spread has Where these conditions are likely, the
occurred beyond the room of origin, either heat or recommendations of 12.3.1 and 12.3.2 should be
smoke detectors may be installed. followed.
False alarms from rate-of-rise heat detectors may
14 False alarms also be caused by a rapid temperature increase to
14.1 General normal room conditions following exposure to low
temperatures. Such a sequence may occur, for
It is essential that the utmost care should be taken
instance, in a loading bay with large doors to the
by system designers, installers and users to reduce
outside: while the doors are open the detector may
the incidence of false alarms. Common causes of
be exposed to winter conditions, followed by rapid
false alarms include the following:
heating when the doors are closed. If such
a) mechanical and electrical faults, often conditions are likely, then detectors without a
resulting from the effects of vibration, impact or rate-of-rise response should be used.
corrosion;
14.3 Smoke detectors
b) ambient conditions such as heat, smoke or
flame from cooking or work processes, fumes from False alarms signalled by smoke detectors may be
engine exhausts, or high air velocities due to caused by smoke and other fumes, dusts (including
strong winds outside the building; slow accumulations of dust and disturbed aerial
dusts), fibres, steam or condensation; all these may
c) work being carried out in a protected area be due to normal processes or activities or to
without knowledge of, or in neglect of, the unusual extremes of the environment. Insect
necessary precautions; infestation may be a significant problem in the late
d) communication faults arising from servicing or summer period.
testing work carried out without prior Optical beam smoke detectors will often give false
notification to the fire brigade or central alarm alarms if the beam is accidentally obstructed; apart
station, or arising from activities of the public from those obstructions due to human activities,
telecommunications operator; obstructions due to perching by birds or by bats have
e) electrical transients or radio interference; been reported. Some types of beam detectors may
f) inadequate servicing; give false alarms when subjected to bright sunlight
g) the build-up of dust or dirt within a detector, or or intense light sources such as photographic
the entry of insects; flash-guns.
h) change of use or changes within the building; Ionization chamber smoke detectors are highly
sensitive to smokes made up of very small particles,
i) accidental or malicious operation of manual call including diesel exhaust and fumes from
points or detectors. self-cleaning ovens. Some types are sensitive to high
Installations which are the subject of a series of air speeds and may give false alarms if mounted in
false alarms should be referred to the installer windy situations. Because of the very low currents
and/or system designer (see 29.3.3). Where the fire used in the ionization chambers, high humidities
alarm system raises persistent false alarms during may cause problems, particularly if the detectors
normal working hours the provision of a time have previously been contaminated by hygrophilic
related system may be considered (see 14.6). contaminants.
The action to be taken by the user after a false alarm
is given in 29.3.
32 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
14.4 Flame detectors 14.6 Time related systems

Ultraviolet flame detectors sense the ultraviolet Where human or industrial activity during working
radiation emitted by flames. They are liable to or wakeful hours could result in false alarms,
respond to sources such as lightning, ionizing particularly where the presence and behaviour
radiation, ultraviolet lamps and quartz-halogen patterns of people make it unlikely that a fire would
lamps unless the detection system can discriminate go undetected by human agency, it may be useful to
between various sources, but they do not respond to consider a time related, dual sensitivity system.
sunlight. (The component of solar ultraviolet to Various options are available and each should be
which detectors would respond is filtered out by the considered in the light of the fire risk and type of
high-altitude ozone layer of the earth’s atmosphere.) occupancy. No such options, for either new or
The effect of transient signals, e.g. those caused by existing systems, should be implemented until
electric storms, may be eliminated by an integrating agreement has been reached under the procedures
circuit. Known sources of ultraviolet light should be outlined in clause 4. It should be borne in mind that
screened from the detector, taking care that the where such systems are employed, their type
screen does not also obscure likely sites for fire. classification (see clause 3) may change with the
Ordinary window glass will screen ultraviolet time of day.
radiation. Instances of where time related systems might be
Most infra-red flame detectors operate by detecting employed include the following:
the flickering component of the infra-red radiation a) schools;
from a fire. This type of detector should be
b) hotels, boarding houses and other residential

insensitive to steady infra-red sources such as very
premises;
hot objects or sunlight, but may be operated if this
steady light becomes modulated by, for example, c) factory and commercial premises that are
moving tree branches or the blades of a fan. active for only part of the day.
In order to reduce the possibility of false alarms, A few examples of time related systems are listed
some types of infra-red flame detector improve the below.
discrimination between flames and other sources, 1) In an analogue detector system it might be
e.g. sunlight, by the use of techniques such as the possible to increase the alarm thresholds
use of long wavelengths or of one or more specific (i.e. decrease the sensitivity of the system to fire)
infra-red wavelengths emitted by flames. Other during working hours. Outside working hours the
techniques such as combining infra-red and threshold might be reduced (i.e. the sensitivity
ultra-violet sensing can be used. Types of detector increased).
using these and similar techniques are unlikely to 2) Heat detectors employed during working hours
suffer from the false alarm problems associated could be supplemented by smoke detectors
with some older types of flame detector. outside working hours.
14.5 Addressable systems 3) During working hours the system could be so
A two-state addressable system may have a false arranged that initiation of the alarm condition by
alarm potential of the same order as a conventional automatic detectors does not immediately result
system. in the sounding of the alarm of fire: a responsible
A multi-state addressable system may provide person would be alerted to investigate the alarm,
advance information of impending problems. although the alarm sounders might be
Providing this information is acted on, it could make automatically sounded after a preset period.
a significant reduction in certain categories of false However, the sounders should sound
alarm. immediately in response to any manual
operation.
An analogue detector system in which a central
micro-processor compares the incoming data 4) As a last resort, the system could be switched
against several predetermined threshold levels is to manual detection during working hours, and
likely to have a false alarm level similar to that of a be switched back to automatic detection outside
multi-state detector system. However, the ability to working hours.
compare outputs from a number of detectors in the
same general area, or from one detector against its
own past history, may allow a further reduction in
the incidence of false alarms.
© BSI 10-1998 33
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
Switching to the more sensitive form of detection A transmission delay unit should not be
should not rely on human action or discretion; it incorporated into a fire alarm system unless the
should be an entirely automatic procedure at a responsible person is satisfied that all other
predetermined time. The risk of false alarms is reasonable measures have been taken to prevent
deemed, in this instance, to be subordinate to the false alarms of fire, that the unit would not
need to guarantee the required level of protection prejudice the level of fire precautions within the
outside working hours. No automatic switching protected premises, that the delay will only be used
devices should be readily accessible to the system when staff are available to investigate the cause of
user, although in places like a hotel bar it is the alarm, and that both the proposed unit and the
permissible to delay the change to the more arrangements for its use are acceptable to the fire
sensitive state by a manual switch operation. insurer and the fire brigade. In many applications
Repeated switch operations may be used to extend rapid attendance by the fire brigade is essential,
the delay, but the delay should not extend more and in such cases the use of transmission delay
than 45 min after the last operation of the switch. In units will not be acceptable. Even where rapid
commercial premises it may sometimes be attendance by the fire brigade is not essential, the
acceptable for the automatic changeover to occur total possible delay should be related to the expected
when the main access door is closed and locked for attendance time. Transmission delay units are
the night. unlikely to be acceptable in certain applications
Weekends should be pre-programmed into the such as hospitals or residential care premises or
system time switch. The procedures for dealing with where there are special evacuation difficulties.
public and works holidays and with time changes to If a transmission signal delay unit is fitted, then the
and from British Summer Time should be clearly normal sequence of events in the event of an alarm
understood by the user, so that the correct degree of should be as follows.
cover is available at all times. A manual override a) If the alarm is raised by a manual call point,
switch, on or adjacent to the control equipment, then the normal functions of the system in both
should be available to allow full cover to be provided sounding the internal alarm and transmission of
during periods when the building is unexpectedly the alarm to the remote manned centre should
unoccupied. The override switch should not be continue without delay (i.e. the transmission
capable of switching the full cover to the restricted signal delay unit should not operate).
cover, and the system design should not permit the
b) If the alarm is initiated by an automatic
action of this switch to be temporarily or
detector, then the internal alarms should sound
permanently cancelled by any automatic function.
without delay. The call to the fire brigade or
An indicator light on or adjacent to the control and remote manned centre may be delayed for an
indicating equipment should show whether the initial period not exceeding 2 min unless
system is switched to the working or silent hours agreement has been reached to delay the
state. sounding of the fire alarm on initiation of the fire
14.7 Transmission delay units condition by automatic detectors [see item 3)
of 14.6].
In some (but not all) circumstances where there is a
high incidence of false alarms which cannot be c) If during the initial delay period described in
reduced by other measures, it may be desirable to item b) a manual operation is performed at the
delay the automatic transmission of an alarm to the control equipment indicating that an
fire brigade for a sufficient time to allow the alarm investigation is in progress, then the alarm may
to be investigated. For this purpose the be delayed for a further period, not
incorporation of a transmission signal delay unit exceeding 5 min from the manual operation,
may be considered. subject to agreement with interested parties.
d) If during any delay period the alarm is found to
be a real fire, then a manual operation at the
control panel or the operation of a manual call
point should cause an immediate transmission of
the alarm and should sound the fire alarm if not
sounded immediately on initiation of the alarm
condition [see item b)].
34 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
e) If the alarm can be shown to be false, with no 15.2.2 Manual systems (type M). Control and
actual fire, then the internal alarms should be indicating equipment for manual systems should
silenced, a note made of any indication which comply with BS 5839-42). However, if the area
might throw light on the origin of the alarm, and covered by a manual system could fall within the
the system should be reset. limits of a single zone under the recommendations
Resetting of the system should inhibit of 7.2, irrespective of how many zones are actually
transmission of the alarm unless the system used, then control and indicating equipment
again goes into the alarm state. complying with all the recommendations of
appendix G may be acceptable subject to the
A transmission signal delay unit should normally
approval of the appropriate authority.
act only on alarms rising from automatic detectors.
It should not delay or prevent the transmission of 15.2.3 Facilities. The facilities provided by the
alarms arising from manual call points, and it control equipment should meet any special
should not delay or otherwise affect the operation of requirements for the premises; in particular, they
audible or visual alarms or any other part of the fire should satisfy the requirements defined in 4.2 for
alarm system. The period of delay should not be action in the event of an alarm of fire.
readily alterable. The alarm should be 15.3 Siting
automatically transmitted to the fire brigade after a 15.3.1 Availability to staff. In residential premises
fixed delay period not greater than 2 min, unless a
the members of staff on duty will be the first to
manual override operation has been carried out. A
require the information given by the indicating
simple, accessible alarm transmission switch should
equipment, particularly that indicating the zone

also be provided so that a call to the fire brigade can
affected, and it is important that the equipment
be made without delay if necessary. Satisfactory should be sited with this in mind.
arrangements (such as a time switch) should be
made to disconnect the device during periods when 15.3.2 Availability to the fire brigade. The control
the internal investigation of alarms cannot be and indicating equipment should preferably be
undertaken immediately. accommodated in an area on the ground floor and in
the immediate vicinity of the entrance to the
It should be appreciated that the delays within any
building likely to be used by the fire brigade. If
signal delay unit will be additional to any delays different entrances may be used by the fire brigade,
inherent in the alarm transmission system. If the perhaps at different times of day, then it may be
investigations of 8.2 show that the transmission
necessary to provide repeated indications at other
system may cause significant delays between the
points of entry. The fire brigade should be consulted
sending of the alarm from the protected premises
on the positioning of the equipment and on the
and its reception by the fire brigade, then this delay
diagrammatic representation of the building
should be taken into account in assessing the (see 15.4.3).
desirability of a transmission signal delay unit.
15.3.3 Light level. The ambient light level in the
15 Control equipment vicinity of the control and indicating equipment
should be such that any visual indications can be
15.1 General clearly seen, and any instructions for use be easily
Control and indicating equipment may comprise read. Where necessary, additional lighting should
equipment for the reception, indication, control and be provided. This may be operated from the fire
relaying of signals originating from detectors or call alarm supply, provided that in the event of mains
points connected to it, and for the activation of failure it is lit only in the fire condition and that the
alarm sounders and alarm signalling devices. additional load is calculated as part of the alarm
load of 16.4.
15.2 Choice of equipment
15.3.4 Sound level. The sound level in the vicinity of
15.2.1 Automatic systems. Control and indicating
the control and indicating equipment should not be
equipment for automatic fire alarm systems should
such as to prevent the audible indications (such as
comply with BS 5839-42). If manual call points are
the fault warning sounder) from being heard.
to be incorporated in an automatic system, then the
control and indicating equipment should be such
that the response of alarm sounders meets the
recommendations of 10.1.
2)
The control and indicating equipment for systems installed, commissioned and handed over before 1 January 1990 may comply
with BS 3116-4:1974.
© BSI 10-1998 35
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
15.3.5 Fire risk. Control and indicating equipment The location may be shown by one or more of the
should be sited in areas of low fire risk, so that the following.
equipment is unlikely to be involved in a fire before a) A display of letters and/or numbers, together
adequate warning has been given. If the system with a suitable key (which may be a plan of the
uses automatic detectors, then the area in which the building).
control unit is sited should be covered by the
b) A permanent mimic diagram.
detection system.
c) A display of a mimic diagram on a visual
15.3.6 Multiple occupation (X). In a building in
display unit (VDU). Because the reliability of a
multiple occupation it is essential that the siting of
VDU is considered suspect, a back-up provision
the control and indicating equipment is agreed
should be made which may take the form of a) or
between the occupants, and that access to the
b), a second VDU or a printer. Where a display
equipment is available to all the occupancies. This is
depends on one or more VDUs, failure of a single
usually most easily achieved by siting the
VDU should not prevent location of the fire
equipment in an area of common use, such as an
source.
entrance hall.
d) By other suitable means.
15.3.7 External siting. If it is necessary for practical
reasons to mount the control and indicating NOTE Printers are not considered suitable as a primary
indication, since in the event of ink, ribbon or paper being
equipment outside the building, then adequate exhausted the indication will be lost. They may, however, be
precautions should be taken to protect the acceptable as a back-up to another display.
equipment from the effects of weather. Similar
On or adjacent to the control and indicating

precautions may be necessary if the equipment has equipment should be a diagrammatic
to be installed in a severe environment within a representation of the building, showing at least the
building. building entrances, the circulation areas and escape
15.4 Indication of origin of alarms routes, and the division into zones. Where this is not
provided by the display of a) to d) above, a correctly
15.4.1 Purpose. Except in buildings where a fire can oriented plan of the premises should be displayed.
be located without delay, the fire alarm system 15.4.4 Power. Any power required for a display
should indicate the origin of the alarm. The should be derived from the fire alarm system power
indications should be such that they can be easily,
supply and should be taken into account when
quickly and unambiguously related to the position
assessing the capacity of the power supply.
in the building from which the alarm has originated.
They should be clear both to staff who may have to 15.5 Security
assist in evacuation or fire-fighting, and to fire The operation of all manual controls and isolating
brigade personnel. devices should be limited to authorized personnel.
15.4.2 Indications. The primary indication of the Where this limitation is not provided on the control
origin of the alarm should be an indication of the equipment (for instance, by the use of a key switch),
zone of origin (see clause 7). In very large premises then it may be provided by restricting access to the
a graded series of displays may be needed, with a equipment by the use of a lock, a key-operated
central indicator panel specifying the sector of switch or, in a disciplined environment, by the use
origin, and a further panel within the sector to show of a list of authorized personnel. Where controls
the zone of origin. Except in small premises, a need to be operated during a fire, access should not
display giving only the identification of individual be controlled by a keyboard-entered code.
detectors may be difficult to interpret, and could
lead to difficulties in assessing the spread of fire or
the occurrence of secondary fires. Such a display, if
provided, should be subsidiary to the main zonal
display.
15.4.3 Method of indication. The method of
indication should be developed to match the extent
of the premises. Many variations are possible and
desirable to meet different situations. The method
used should ensure rapid location of the fire, and
should enable decisions to be made as to which parts
(usually fire compartments) need to be evacuated.
Where one fire compartment is split into several
zones, the indication should preferably show the
absence of fire separation between those zones.
36 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
16 Power supplies 16.2 Connection of a fire alarm system to a

public or private power distribution supply
16.1 General
Any cable or apparatus directly connected to a
The vast majority of fire alarm systems rely for their
public or private distribution supply should be in
operation on electrical power. No source of electrical
accordance with the current edition of the IEE
power is totally reliable; every source will at some
Wiring Regulations (Regulations for Electrical
time fail, even if only for a limited period. The
Installations, published by the Institution of
general principle on which the requirements for fire Electrical Engineers). Systems intended for
alarm power supplies are based is that the operation from public supplies should be suitable for
reliability with which a fire alarm system responds
connection to the following types of power supply
to a fire should as far as possible be unaffected by
systems in accordance with the IEE Wiring
the unreliability of its main supply source. To this
Regulations: TN-C, TN-S, TN-C-S, TT.
end, in all but very simple manual alarm systems,
the main supply should be backed up by a standby Connections to the mains supply should be via an
supply able to support the system while the main isolating protective device (e.g. an isolating
supply is corrected. In general, a sufficiently high switch-fuse) reserved solely for the purpose, its
reliability is given by a normal supply from the cover coloured red and labelled “FIRE ALARM: DO
public mains, backed up by an automatically NOT SWITCH OFF”. The isolating protective device
connected battery-powered standby supply in case should be secure from unauthorized operation. It
of main supply failure. may be desirable for the isolating protective device
to be contained in a securely closed box with a
The duration and power required from the standby frangible cover.
supply will depend on the purposes of the system,
the extent of the facilities and the method of An additional warning label should be provided,
monitoring the normal supply. In most cases, depending on whether the isolating protective
standby supplies complying with 16.3 and 16.5 will device is fed from the live side or the dead side of the
be satisfactory, but there may be cases in which main isolating device. If fed from the live side, the
greater capacities would be required, for example label on the isolating protective device for the fire
premises in remote areas where more than 24 h alarm system should read in addition:
might be needed to locate and repair a fault in the “Warning: this supply remains alive when the main
main supply. switch is turned off” and a label should be placed on
If provision is made for a normal supply and a the main isolating device reading “Warning: the fire
standby supply, then each should be capable of alarm supply remains alive when this switch is
supplying the largest load to be placed on it under turned off”. If fed from the dead side, a label should
normal, fire and fault conditions. Care should be be fixed to the main isolating device reading
taken in the design of the power supply to ensure “Warning: this switch also controls the supply to the
continuity of supply to the fire alarm system; fire alarm system”.
transition between supplies should not cause The design of the system should ensure that
momentary interruptions. Where devices such as residual current devices are not necessary as a
fuses are fitted in order to protect power supplies, preventive measure against electric shock.
the operation of a single protective device should not However, in some cases the provision of such devices
interrupt both power supplies and cause the system has been required as a condition of supply to the
to fail. building; in such cases the protection should be so
The condition of the normal supply should be arranged that interruption of the general building
indicated by a green lamp, lit when the normal supply in response to a fault on the general wiring
supply is on. does not result in interruption of the fire alarm
supply.
© BSI 10-1998 37
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
It is important that the electricity supply to the fire Recommendations for battery capacities are given
alarm system should be so arranged that continuity in 16.5. The charging rate of the battery should be
of supply is ensured. Particular care should be taken such that, having been discharged to its final
where it is the practice to switch off the supply to the voltage, the battery can be charged sufficiently to
premises, for example, during maintenance of comply with the recommendations of 16.5 after a
equipment, when unoccupied, or for economy in the charging period of 24 h.
consumption of electricity. The electrical design Recommendations for siting of batteries are given
should ensure that such switching off of the power in 16.7.
supply does not cause failure of the fire alarm
16.3.2.2 Secondary batteries with standby
system during the period of isolation (except
generators.In some premises, in addition to supplies
possibly in unoccupied premises provided with a
taken from the public mains, a generator is provided
simple manual system).
which generates power continuously as part of the
In some systems more than one power supply unit normal operation of the building. In other premises
may be provided, i.e. distributed power supplies. In an emergency generator may be provided which
such cases failure or disconnection of the supply to should be automatically started on failure of the
any individual unit should be indicated at the main normal supply. Generators of either type may be
indicator panel as a fault. Any switch that can used to replace partially the standby capacity
disconnect the power supplies to all or part of the recommended in 16.5.1 provided that in the event of
system should be coloured red and labelled “FIRE failure of both the public mains supply and the
ALARM: DO NOT SWITCH OFF”. locally generated supply the normal operation of the
16.3 Types of power supply building cannot continue unless a supply is

16.3.1 Normal supply. The normal supply for the connected from some other source (such as a
system should be derived from the public supply portable generator brought in for the purpose).
system, transformed or modified as necessary. 16.4 Maximum alarm load
Where no public supply system is available, 16.4.1 General. The maximum alarm load is the
privately generated power may be used. The maximum load imposed by the fire alarm system on
possible frequency and duration of breaks in such a power supply under fire conditions. It will include
supplies should be investigated and taken into the power required to operate the sounders,
account in assessing the necessary capacity of the detectors, fault warning devices, the illumination
standby supply. of 15.3.3 and any ancillary services powered by the
16.3.2 Standby supplies fire alarm system (see clause 19), etc.
16.3.2.1 Secondary batteries. The most commonly Normal and standby supplies should each be
used type of standby supply is a secondary battery capable of supplying the maximum alarm load
with an automatic charger. Where such a battery is irrespective of the condition of the other supply.
used it should be of a type having a life of at The load imposed on the power supply by the
least 4 years under the conditions of use likely to be simultaneous operation of detectors and/or manual
experienced in the fire alarm system. Automotive call points should not cause an existing fire alarm to
lead-acid batteries (e.g. the type normally used for cease. In systems using microprocessors or stored
starting service in cars) are not generally suitable programs, the imposition of the maximum alarm
for fire alarm service and should not be used. load should not cause incorrect operation.
Because the life of the battery is frequently 16.4.2 Automatic systems (types L and P). The
dependent on its charging conditions, care should be maximum alarm load for an automatic system is the
taken that the battery charger satisfies any power required to operate all the sounders
requirements specified by the battery supplier. simultaneously, together with any visible or audible
Where replacement batteries or battery chargers indications at the control and indicating equipment,
are used, similar care should be taken to ensure any power drawn for the operation and/or indication
charging compatibility. Replacement cells should be of ancillary systems and the transmission of signals
compatible with the existing cells in both charge and to remote manned centres. Because of the possibility
discharge characteristics. The supplier of the of the spread of fire products throughout the
system should specify a method of test that is likely building, the system should be able to support the
to predict failure of the battery in the interval maximum number of detectors that can
between routine tests. simultaneously give signals indicating fire, and the
operation of manual call points in all zones.
38 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
16.4.3 Manual systems (type M). The maximum 16.5.1.4 Standby generators. In systems using
alarm load for a manual system is the power standby generators (see 16.3.2.2), the initial 24 h
required to operate all the sounders simultaneously, standby recommendations of 16.5.1.2 and 16.5.1.3
together with any visible or audible indications at can be reduced to the period which would be
the control and indicating equipment, any power required to bring in and connect another source of
drawn for the operation and/or indication of power in the event of failure of both mains supply
ancillary systems and the transmission of signals to and local generator. In general, a period of not less
remote manned centres. Because of the possibility of than 6 h should be allowed, after which sufficient
the spread of fire products throughout the building, capacity should remain to provide an evacuation
the system should be able to support the operation alarm in all zones for at least 30 min.
of manual call points in all zones. 16.5.2 Systems installed primarily to protect
16.5 Duration of the standby supply property (type P)
16.5.1 Systems installed primarily for life 16.5.2.1 Purpose. A system intended for property
safety (type L) protection should provide correct operation at all
16.5.1.1 Purpose. In a system installed to protect times, but particularly when there are no people on
life, the fire alarm system should be in an operating the premises to provide manual detection. The
condition at all times that people are present on the standby supply should have sufficient capacity to
premises. The standby supply should have sufficient maintain the system in operation until the fault is
capacity to maintain the necessary protection until discovered and corrective action taken. The standby
the cause of the failure of the normal supply has supply should normally consist of secondary
been investigated and the supply restored, or until batteries complying with 16.3.2.1.
other measures have been taken for the safety of the 16.5.2.2 Supervised systems. Continuously attended
occupants. The type of standby supply should premises, or premises having a link to a remote
comply with 16.3.2. manned centre that can initiate action in the event
16.5.1.2 Supervised systems. Premises in which the of failure of the normal supply, should have a
fire alarm system will be supervised at intervals of standby supply capable of maintaining the system
not more than 12 h, or that have a link over which a in operation for at least 24 h, after which sufficient
warning of failure of the normal supply can be given capacity should remain to provide operation of the
to a remote manned centre, should have a standby alarm sounders for at least 30 min.
supply capable of maintaining the system in 16.5.2.3 Other systems. In premises other than
operation for at least 24 h, after which sufficient those described in 16.5.2.2, the standby supply
capacity should remain to provide an evacuation should be capable of maintaining the system in
alarm in all zones for at least 30 min. operation for at least 24 h longer than the maximum
16.5.1.3 Unsupervised systems. In premises not period for which the premises are likely to remain
supervised as described in 16.5.1.2, the standby unattended, after which sufficient capacity should
supply should be capable of automatically remain to provide operation of the alarm sounders
maintaining the system in normal operation for a for at least 30 min.
period of not less than 24 h after the detection of a If unusually long unattended periods may occur, for
fault in the normal supply and the initiation of example during a long holiday, the duration of the
remedial action. If the building is likely to be standby supply necessary to satisfy the
unoccupied and the fire alarm system unsupervised recommendation above may be reduced by
for periods longer than 24 h, so that on reoccupation arranging for regular inspections of the premises at
the standby supply could be exhausted and the intervals such that in the event of failure of the
system inoperable, then facilities should be normal supply at least 24 h standby supply capacity
provided to give protection for a period of at remains at the time of the next inspection. Thus if
least 24 h after reoccupation, with sufficient daily inspections are made, and assuming that
capacity at the end of that time to sound an failure occurs immediately after one inspection, it
evacuation alarm in all zones for at least 30 min. will take 24 h to detect the fault, at which time a
These facilities may be manually connected, e.g. a further 24 h supply will remain; hence a total
spare fully charged battery could be manually duration of 48 h will be needed.
switched in.
© BSI 10-1998 39
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
16.6 Power supplies for manual systems 17 Cables, wiring and other
(type M) interconnections
Power supplies for manual systems should 17.1 General
generally comply with the recommendations of 16.1
to 16.5. However, if the area covered by a manual The satisfactory operation of a fire alarm system
system could fall within the limits of a single zone depends very much on the interconnections between
under the recommendations of 7.2 [other than its components. Unless these interconnections
item f)], irrespective of how many zones are actually operate correctly when required a system will not
used, then power supplies complying with the fulfill its functions.
recommendations of G.7 may be used subject to the It is essential that connections between detectors or
approval of the appropriate authority. The “battery call points and the control equipment are
only” supplies described in G.7 d) and e) should only functioning correctly when a fire occurs. The control
be used if public or private electricity mains are not equipment should be able to maintain the alarm
available. without a continued signal from the detector or call
16.7 Siting point, i.e. destruction of the connection after the
initial operation would not affect the sounding of the
16.7.1 Central batteries. Accommodation for central alarm.
batteries should comply with BS 6132 or BS 6133.
Most connections, other than those to detectors or
If unsealed secondary cells are used then provision call points, will be required to function correctly for
should be made for adequate ventilation. For large significant periods during a fire. Such connections
battery installations consideration should be given include those by which power is supplied to the
to the provision of a separate battery room or locked control equipment, and those linking the control
cabinet, preferably not containing any other equipment to the alarm sounders.
services. The battery room or locked cabinet may
Where multicore cable, flexible cable or flexible cord
also accommodate batteries of a similar type used
are used for interconnections in fire alarm circuits,
for other purposes, but in such cases all equipment
none of the conductors should be used for circuits
and wiring associated with the different systems
other than those of fire alarms.
should be separated so as to prevent a fault on one
system from jeopardizing another. Where there is a The components of most fire detection and alarm
risk of flooding, precautions should be taken to systems are connected by cables and wiring but it is
prevent flooding of the battery room. possible to connect by other means such as radio or
fibre optics. The recommendations for radio-linked
Care should be taken to ensure that the structure
systems are given in clause 18. Where fibre optic
can support the weight of all equipment.
cables are used they should comply with 17.6,
A battery room or cabinet should be secured against except item d).
unauthorized admission and should display notices
In practice no system can have total reliability, but
indicating its purpose, the importance of not
one of the objectives of good system design is to
smoking and the need to use insulated tools and to
reduce the probability of the system being
remove metallic personal adornment (including
inoperative in the area of a fire when the fire starts.
wrist-watches with metal bracelets) to avoid
This probability has three elements: the probability
accidental short-circuits.
that a fault occurs, the amount of the system it puts
16.7.2 Fire risk. To reduce the probability of the out of operation and the time taken from its
equipment being involved in a fire before adequate occurrence to its repair (the “down time”).
warning has been given, batteries and power supply
equipment should be sited in areas of low fire risk.
If the system uses automatic detectors then the
areas in which the equipment is sited should be
covered by the detection system.
16.7.3 Multiple occupancy buildings (X). If separate
occupancies with a common fire alarm system exist
in a building, then arrangements should be made for
the continuity of power supplies and for rectification
of any failure. These arrangements may require
equipment to be sited in an area of common access.
40 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
The probability of an interconnection fault can be The applications are classified according to the need
reduced by the use of adequately strong cables, by for fire protection as follows.
correctly positioning cable paths, by the provision of a) Applications in which prolonged operation
mechanical protection at vulnerable points and by during a fire is required. Cables used for the
the provision of alternative signal paths. The interconnection of components of a fire alarm
amount of the system put out of operation depends system and required to continue to operate after
on the extent of individual circuits. Monitoring of a fire is first discovered (e.g. sounders, control
connections does not ensure that the fire alarm and indicating equipment and power supplies)
system will remain effective at all times, but is unless they are protected against cable failure as
essential in reducing the “down time”. It gives a detailed in 17.15. Cables used within the
warning that damage has occurred, and thus allows protected premises for the transmission of the
the repair process to be initiated and hence reduces alarm to a remote centre should be included in
the period for which the system is inoperative. this class. In general it may be assumed that
Monitoring of circuits and mechanical protection are interconnections between sounders, control and
complementary precautions, rather than indicating equipment and power supplies which
alternatives. can resist fire for at least 0.5 h will be
If the fault is due to fire, monitoring can give no satisfactory.
protection, since no time will be available for repair. In special cases, however, a long period may be
If an interconnecting cable itself has insufficient required (for example in buildings with a
resistance to fire, then the circuit should either be two-stage alarm system).
arranged to have alternative signal paths or
b) Applications in which prolonged operation

additional physical protection of the cables should
during a fire is not required. Cables which are not
be provided.
required to continue for appreciable periods after
In some systems data flowing between components the fire is discovered or they are attacked by fire.
may be multiplexed by one of a variety of data These cables will usually be only those to
transmission methods. The environment within detectors or call points, but may also include
which these signals are passed may have a those to ancillary devices (such as door holders) in
significant effect on the permissible types of which failure of the cable due to a fire will not
interconnections. Examples of possible problem lead to a dangerous condition.
areas are as follows:
17.3 Recommended cable types
a) electrical noise corrupting transmitted data;
The following types of cable are recommended,
b) incorrect choice of cable for the speed of data
subject to the restrictions on their use and the
transmission;
recommendations for further protection given
c) fracturing of fibre optic cable due to vibration, in 17.4 and 17.5:
etc. a) mineral-insulated copper-sheathed cable
Where failure of a cable will not result in the failure complying with BS 6207, with or without an
of any alarm either within the premises or at a overall PVC sheath;
remote manned centre there are no restrictions on
b) cables complying with BS 6387, meeting at
either the cable or its protection in this part of
least the requirements for categorization as AWX
BS 5839. or SWX;
17.2 Applications c) cables complying with BS 6387, meeting at
A wide variety of different cables can be used in least the requirements for categorization as A or
various parts of a fire alarm system. However, S;
because of their varying abilities to resist both fire d) PVC-insulated and sheathed cables complying
and electrical or mechanical damage, many of these with BS 6004;
cables may be restricted in their suitability for
e) PVC-insulated non-sheathed cables complying
specific applications.
with BS 6004;
f) general-purpose elastomer-insulated
textile-braided and compounded cable complying
with BS 6007;
g) PVC-insulated cable of types BK, BR and BU
complying with BS 6231;
h) PVC-insulated and sheathed
steel-wire-armoured cable complying with
BS 6346;
© BSI 10-1998 41
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
i) sheathed steel-wire-armoured cables with Where appropriate, compliance is for integrity and
cross-linked polyethylene or hard ethylene insulation. The test by fire is considered to be
propylene rubber insulation complying with applied to the side of the construction remote from
BS 5467; the cable.
j) polyethylene-insulated PVC-sheathed coaxial 17.4.3 Reduced protection. Where possible, cables
cable, with a central conductor of not less should be routed through areas of low fire risk.
than 16 strands/0.2 mm in diameter, but Where cables pass through areas of very low fire
otherwise complying with the dimensional risk or where cables are protected by an automatic
requirements of BS 2316-3 for Uniradio Sheet extinguishing system or sprinkler installation, a
M210; reduction in the degree of fire protection
k) cables designed for the detection of heat. recommended may be acceptable following
consultation with interested parties (see 4.3).
Where cables are to be installed under conditions of
unusually high or low ambient temperature, the 17.5 Protection of cables from electrical or
recommendations of 17.14 should be observed. mechanical damage
NOTE Silicone rubber insulated cable with a composite 17.5.1 Electrical protection. Mineral-insulated
PVC/aluminium sheath was included as a separate category in copper-sheathed cable [see 17.3 a)] should be
BS 5839-1:1980. This type of cable should now comply with
BS 6387 and hence would be covered under items b) or c). electrically protected by ensuring that associated
equipment complies with the cable manufacturer’s
17.4 Protection from fire
requirements for voltage surge suppression.
17.4.1 Applications not requiring prolonged Polyethylene-insulated coaxial cable [see 17.3 j)]
operation during a fire. Where prolonged operation should not be used with nominal voltages
during a fire is not required, any of the cables listed exceeding 50 V.
in 17.3 may be used without additional fire
protection. Cables designed for the detection of heat
[see 17.3 k)] should be used within their
Cables designed for the detection of heat manufacturer’s ratings.
[see 17.3 k)] or coaxial cable [see 17.3 j)] may be
used for the interconnection of detectors within a 17.5.2 Mechanical protection. Some of the types of
zone, provided that the system is such as to give a cable listed in 17.3 are not sufficiently robust to
fire alarm in response to the occurrence of fire at withstand the mechanical hazards which they may
such a cable. experience in practice, such as impact, abrasion or
attack by rodents. In order to protect such cables
17.4.2 Applications requiring prolonged operation from damage both during and after installation, it
during a fire. Cables required to continue to operate will be necessary to provide mechanical protection
during exposure to fire should be either as described by installation in conduit, ducting or trunking
in item a) or b) of 17.3; cables other than these may (see 17.8) or by laying the cable in a channel.
be used in applications requiring prolonged
operation during a fire provided they are protected The following recommendations should be followed:
against exposure to the fire by either: a) cable as described in 17.3 a), h) or i) may be
a) burial in the structure of the building and used without mechanical protection;
protection by the equivalent of at least 12 mm of b) PVC-insulated non-sheathed cable
plaster; or [see 17.3 e)] should always have mechanical
b) separation from any significant fire risk by a protection;
wall, partition or floor having at least 0.5 h fire c) cables other than those described in 17.3 a), e),
resistance as ascertained by compliance with any h) or i) should be given mechanical protection if:
of the following: 1) they are not monitored; or
1) specifications tested or assessed under the 2) they are less than 2.25 m above the floor; or
appropriate part of BS 476; 3) physical damage or rodent attack is likely.
2) other appropriate British Standard The above recommendations for resistance to
specifications; mechanical damage would be expected to be
3) specifications referred to in building sufficient for most applications. However, where
legislation applicable for the building. particularly arduous conditions might be
NOTE The mechanical protection of cables by conduit, ducting or experienced (such as impact by fork-lift trucks), it
trunking should not be considered to give protection against fire. may be necessary to provide additional protection
designed to meet the expected hazards.
42 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
Where it is appropriate to use armoured cable to If fire alarm cables are run in trunking or ducting,
protect against physical damage, the cables then either metal trunking or ducting, or
described in 17.3 h) or 17.3 i) should be used. non-metallic ducting or non-flame propagating
17.6 Alternative cables trunking complying with BS 4678-4 should be used.
It should be noted that the flame propagation test
Types of cable or cable system other than those does not necessarily indicate the ability of the
described in 17.3 may be used only if it can be shown trunking to maintain the circuit integrity under fire
that, in the application in which they are to be used, conditions.
all the following apply:
Other types of conduit, ducting or trunking may be
a) their resistance to heat and fire is not less than used only if it can be shown that, in the application
that of the types described in 17.3 and in which they are to be used, their resistance to
recommended by 17.4 as suitable for the ambient conditions including resistance to
application; mechanical impact and abrasion is not less than
b) their resistance to ambient conditions, that of the types specified as suitable for the
including resistance to mechanical impact and application, and they are not prone to failure due to
abrasion, is not less than that of the types faulty assembly or installation.
described in 17.3 and recommended by 17.5 as 17.9 Joints
suitable for the application;
All joints, except those in detectors, call points,
c) they are not prone to faulty assembly or
sounders, control and indicating equipment or other
installation;
similar system components, should be enclosed in

d) their electrical properties under both normal suitable junction boxes labelled “FIRE ALARM” to
and fault conditions are suitable for the avoid confusion with other services. Jointing and
application; termination methods should be chosen to minimize
e) they are operated within their manufacturer’s any reduction in reliability and resistance to fire
ratings. below that of unjointed cable.
Where possible, alternative types of cable should be 17.10 Segregation of wiring
certified or approved as satisfactory for their Conductors carrying fire alarm power or signals
application under a recognized certification or should be separated from conductors used for other
approval scheme. systems. The separation may be by one or more of
17.7 Conductor sizes the following:
In selecting conductor sizes, regard should be paid a) installation in conduit, ducting, trunking or a
to physical strength and to limitations imposed by channel reserved for fire alarm conductors;
voltage drop. Voltage drop down a cable should not b) a mechanically strong, rigid and continuous
be such as to prevent devices from operating within partition of non-combustible material;
their specification limits, even under minimum
c) mounting at a distance of at least 300 mm from
supply and maximum load conditions.
conductors of other systems;
Consideration should be given to any possible
extensions to the system. d) wiring in cables complying with BS 7629;
Unless otherwise recommended, conductors should e) wiring in mineral-insulated copper-sheathed
be of copper, each having a cross-sectional area of cable [see 17.3 a)] with an insulating sheath or
not less than 1 mm2, or, if stranded, not less barrier. The exposed-to-touch rating of the IEE
than 0.5 mm2. Cables having a total conductor Wiring Regulations should not be exceeded.
cross-sectional area of less than 1 mm2 should not be If a cable which should be segregated from cables of
drawn into conduit. Where twisted-pair cable other services is not enclosed in ducting, trunking or
constructions are used and the pair is contained a channel reserved for fire alarm circuits, then it
within a common insulating sheath, individual should be suitably marked or labelled at intervals
conductors having cross-sectional areas down not exceeding 2 m to indicate its function and the
to 0.5 mm2 may be used. need for segregation. Ducting, trunking or a channel
17.8 Conduit, ducting and trunking reserved for fire alarm circuits should be marked to
indicate this reservation. The fire alarm cable
If fire alarm cables are run in conduit, either should be completely enclosed when the cover of the
screwed metal or rigid PVC conduit may be used. ducting, trunking or channel is in place, and all
Rigid PVC conduit should comply with covers should be securely fixed.
classification 405/1 or 425/1 of BS 6099-2.2
(but see the ambient temperature
recommendations of 17.14).
© BSI 10-1998 43
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
Segregation of the fire alarm power supply cables PVC conduit should not be used where the ambient
need not be applied on the supply side of the temperature is likely to exceed 60 °C. Where
isolating protective device (see 16.2). Cables temperatures below –5 °C for classification 405/1 of
carrying power in excess of extra-low voltage should BS 6099-2.2 or –25 °C for classification 425/1 of
be separated from other fire alarm cables. In BS 6099-2.2 are likely, suitable precautions should
particular, the mains supply cable should not be be taken to avoid physical damage.
brought in through the same cable entry as cables 17.15 Systems protected against cable failure
carrying extra-low voltage power or signals.
If circuits are protected against single cable faults
17.11 Telecommunication cables (see 6.6.5) then a reduced standard of cable
Public telecommunications operator lines used for protection may be acceptable. If the design is such
the transmission of alarms to the fire brigade should that a single fault on the interconnections between
be mechanically protected (see 17.5.2) and should be components will:
considered as needed to give prolonged operation in a) at most have an effect on the components
a fire (see 17.4.2). immediately adjacent to the fault;
17.12 Overhead lines b) not affect the correct working of the remainder
Overhead lines should be avoided wherever possible of the system;
for fire alarm system interconnections. If they are c) give a fault warning as recommended in 6.6.5;
used, BS 6701-1 should be followed. If overhead d) indicate that section of the cabling affected by
lines cross or are installed in close proximity to
the fault;
electricity power lines, public telecommunications
operator lines or other overhead lines, agreement then any of the cables described in 17.3 can
relating to protection should be reached with the generally be allowed for any application.
appropriate operator. Care should be taken in the planning and siting of
cable runs for such systems so that a fire restricted
17.13 Damp, corrosive or underground
to a single fire compartment cannot so damage the
locations
cable as to prevent the correct operation of devices
Cables intended for installation in damp, corrosive in any other compartment. If such siting cannot be
or underground locations, or in plasters or cements avoided, then wiring able to withstand prolonged
having a corrosive effect on metallic sheathing, exposure to fire should be used within the critical
should be PVC-sheathed overall. Where the compartment(s).
environment may attack PVC, a suitable
alternative sheath should be adopted. In some 18 Radio-linked systems
locations further protection may be necessary.
18.1 General
17.14 Ambient temperatures
18.1.1 Radio links. Some alarm systems are
Care should be taken that the combination of available in which some or all of the
ambient temperature and temperature rise caused interconnections between components are made by
by load current does not result in a conductor radio links. Because of the special properties of
temperature which exceeds the limit for the radio signals, some of the recommendations
insulation. applicable to wired systems, particularly those for
Where high conductor temperatures are power supplies and fault monitoring, are unsuitable
anticipated, cables having appropriate for, or cannot be applied to, radio-linked systems. In
heat-resisting insulation should be used, such as: such systems the recommendations of this clause
a) 85 °C rubber-insulated cable complying with should be followed.
Table 1 or 5 of BS 6007:1983; 18.1.2 Choice of system. Radio-linked systems have
b) 150 °C rubber-insulated cable complying with both advantages and disadvantages. Before
Table 6 of BS 6007:1983; adopting such a system for any specific application,
the advantages and disadvantages should be
c) 85 °C rated PVC-insulated cables complying
carefully considered so that a correct choice of
generally with BS 6004 but having type 4 or 5
system can be made.
insulation and sheath complying with BS 6746;
d) 90 °C rated XLPE- or EPR-insulated cables
complying with BS 5467 or BS 6724.
44 © BSI 10-1998
Section 2 BS 5839-1:1988
18.1.3 Advantages of radio-linked systems. The NOTE The possibility of interference from other sources can be
advantages of radio-linked systems include the much reduced by proper receiver design, for instance by a
suitably narrow receiver bandwidth, or by redundancy
following. techniques in the transmission.
a) Since, in general, no wiring is needed between 18.2 Power supplies
system components, the system can be much
easier, quicker and cheaper to install. The system 18.2.1 Power supplies for control and indicating
equipment. Power supplies for control and
can extend beyond a single building without
indicating equipment (other than repeater panels)
inter-building wiring, provided that the buildings
should comply with the recommendations of
are in the same ownership and no third party is
clause 16.
involved. Disruption of normal activities during
installation is minimized, and the system can be 18.2.2 Power supplies for sounders and repeater
easily modified or extended. indicator panels. Power supplies for sounders and
for repeater indicator panels should comply with the
b) The absence of wiring means that damage or
recommendations of clause 16, except that the
disfigurement of existing surfaces is kept to a
normal supply may be derived from the local mains
minimum. This can be particularly important in
supply, which need not have an isolating protective
dealing with buildings having valuable or historic
decoration. device (see 16.2). Failure of the normal supply to a
sounder or repeater panel should give a fault
c) Individual identification of each detector or call warning at the main control and indicating
point is a normal feature of radio-linked systems. equipment.
d) Radio links will function without impairment 18.2.3 Power supplies for detectors and manual call
in a fire, reducing the need for fire-protected points. Power supplies for detectors and manual call
cables. points should be derived from either:
e) On some systems, radio-linked repeater a) the normal mains supply plus a reserve battery
indicator panels can be easily added as required (primary or continuously charged secondary); or
elsewhere in the building.
b) a primary battery plus a reserve second
f) Short-term temporary cover of special risks can primary battery. The primary battery used for
be easily arranged. the normal supply should have an operational life
18.1.4 Disadvantages of radio-linked systems. The of at least 1 year. If intended to be replaceable by
disadvantages of radio-linked systems include the the user the battery should be of a type readily
following. available from electrical suppliers.
a) Because limitations of allowed frequency Power supplies having one or more primary
spectrum can lead to interference between batteries should give at least 30 days warning of
simultaneous signals, it is considered unwise to impending failure of any primary battery. This
send monitoring signals at very frequent warning should be by a fault indication at the
intervals. Hence for some (but not all) faults, control and indicating equipment. It should not be
there may be a significant delay (possibly several possible to cancel this warning permanently. If the
hours) between the occurrence of a fault and its warning is cancelled without the fault being
indication on the control equipment. corrected, the warning should resound within 4.5 h.
b) Radio links cannot transfer significant In the event of total failure of the power supply to a
amounts of power. Each detector, call point or detector or call point the warning given should be
sounder has to be supplied with local power, distinguishable from that indicating impending
either from local mains or from batteries. failure.
c) There is a possibility of the radio path being 18.3 Radio links
interrupted by temporary or permanent Systems in which radio links are used to connect
screening. This should be indicated as a fault, but together part or all of the components should be
in the interval before the fault is indicated security coded (in such a way as to prevent
(see 18.3) the area could be unprotected. The interaction between separate systems) and should
problem becomes more important when screening operate on frequencies allocated by the Department
affects several detectors in one area. of Trade and Industry (DTI) on the low power
d) The possibility exists that the receiver may be telemetry and telecontrol bands. Equipment should
blocked by interfering signals from other sources. conform to the appropriate DTI specifications.
Radio alarm systems operate on frequencies
which are not protected by the regulatory body
from other interfering signals on those
frequencies.
© BSI 10-1998 45
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 2
Links should be monitored in such a way that the Means of temporarily disabling an item or items of
failure to receive a signal from a detector, call point, ancillary equipment for routine servicing or
sounder or other remote component will be maintenance of that equipment may be provided
indicated at the central control and indicating such that it does not affect the operation of the fire
equipment within a period of 4.5 h from the alarm system.
occurrence of the fault. If operation of the fire alarm system during
18.4 Installation servicing or testing may have undesirable effects on
ancillary equipment, then means should be
18.4.1 Initial signal strength. During installation
provided for disabling the automatic operation of
steps should be taken to ensure that signals produce
adequate signal strength at the relevant receivers. the ancillary equipment. The disablement may take
the form of a transfer from automatic to manual
The manufacturer should specify methods by which operation. A visual indication of disablement should
it can be assured that the signal strength is be provided.
adequate and the signal type suitable for reliable
Power supplies to ancillary services should be such
operation in the environment in which the system is
that the power supply to the fire alarm system is not
installed, including any possible interfering signals
of similar type either from within the protected prejudiced. Whilst indications of the state of
premises or from other premises. ancillary systems, and ancillary systems which take
power only when there is a fire, may be operated
18.4.2 Variations of signal strength. Changes in the from the fire alarm supply, ancillary systems which
buildings structure or content after installation can take power (other than for indicators) in the non-fire
cause fluctuations in the received signal strength, state should not be operated from the fire alarm
particularly where the changes include the supply. Any additional loads taken by ancillary
introduction of large areas of metallic screening systems should be taken into account in the
across the signal path. Where this is likely, for calculations of power supply capacity.
example, in a loading bay handling metal drums,
precautions should be taken to ensure signal 20 Radio and electrical interference
continuity, for instance by the use of remote aerials
or repeater amplifiers. Particular care should be 20.1 Generated interference
taken where the changes could lead to simultaneous Alarm systems should be so designed and installed
loss of signals from several detectors. that they do not cause radio interference in excess of
18.4.3 Cabling. Where cables are used in the the limits specified in BS 800.
system, for instance for power supplies or to take 20.2 Received interference
signals to remote aerials, they should comply with
Particular care should be taken in the design and
the recommendations of clause 17.
installation of the fire alarm system to avoid
interference from other equipment (including radio
19 Ancillary services
transmitters such as portable telephones), external
Subject to any overruling consideration, safety sources such as lightning, or power transients. Such
factors and consultation with the relevant interference may affect the normal operation of the
authority, the fire alarm system may be designed so fire alarm system.
that detectors and/or call points, in addition to
giving an alarm and calling the fire brigade, will
close or open circuits of ancillary services by means
of relays or similar devices. Examples of such
services are as follows:
a) actuation of fixed fire-extinguishing systems;
b) closing of windows, smoke and fire doors;
c) control of ventilating systems;
d) covering of tanks containing flammable liquids
and controlling their valves to isolate the
contents from direct contact with the fire, etc.
46 © BSI 10-1998
Section 3 BS 5839-1:1988
Section 3. Workmanship, installation and

commissioning
21 Work off site c) the log book (see 28.2.2).
21.1 Verification 23.2 Protection against lightning
Arrangements may be specified in the contract for All metallic parts of the system, including conduit,
pre-delivery inspection of the equipment, including trunking, ducting, cabling and enclosures, should be
operational tests, to be carried out on the supplier’s well separated from any metalwork forming part of
premises in the presence of the purchaser’s a lightning protective system. Further guidance is
representative. given in BS 6651:1985, in particular in clause 18
21.2 Packing and in A.2 of that standard.
The materials and components should be protected 23.3 Hazardous areas
and packed suitably for the method of transport to Siting of equipment and routing of cables should
the site and storage on site. Individual packing take account of any special hazards which might
cases should be of a size and weight suitable for exist in the area when the building is occupied. Such
convenient handling, and labelled so that individual hazards might imperil either the system or
units can be readily identified on site without being personnel working in the area. In locations having a
unpacked. Equipment intended to be mounted in potentially explosive atmosphere the
enclosures that will be recessed into walls should be recommendations of 6.5 should be followed.
arranged so that it need not be removed from its
packing or wrapping until it is fixed into its 24 Installation of cables and wires
permanent enclosure. It is essential that equipment
24.1 Cable ducts, channels and trunking
containing radioactive materials (see appendix E),
corrosive liquids or other hazardous materials 24.1.1 General. Where fire alarm systems are to be
should be clearly labelled to emphasize the risk of installed in new buildings, ducts and channels may
damage during transportation or storage on site. be required in the structure. Ample facilities should
be provided for drawing cables into ducts and into
22 Work on site conduits or trunking installed in ducts. Conduit and
The work on site should consist of the following: trunking sizes should be such as to permit easy
drawing in and out of the cables concerned; it is
a) siting and accommodation of control
advisable to allow space for future extensions.
equipment, power supplies, sounders, visual
Where necessary, access should be provided by
alarms, detectors and manual call points;
means of suitably located removable or hinged
b) cabling and wiring, including the provision of covers.
channels, ducts, conduits and trunking;
The fire alarm systems initially installed in a
c) installation of equipment; building may, during the life of the building, require
d) inspection, initial testing, commissioning and additions, modifications, or replacement. In order to
certification. avoid alteration to the finished structure, careful
consideration should be given at the planning stage
23 Siting and accommodation to the size and layout of ducts, chases, etc., so that
23.1 General they may, as far as can be foreseen, provide an
adequate degree of flexibility for both initial
Siting of equipment should comply with the relevant
requirements and additions and modifications. If
recommendations of clauses 9, 10, 12, 13, 15 and 16.
conduit, ducting, trunking or other enclosures are to
Care should be taken in planning the be buried in the building structure, then provision
accommodation for the equipment to ensure that the should be made for any foreseen additions to be
structure can accept the necessary loadings, and carried out without change to the finished building
that heavy or bulky equipment can be readily structure.
transported to or from its installed position. Access
Ease of maintenance and adequate protection
to equipment in service should be provided to allow
against mechanical damage and unauthorized
it to be kept in a clean condition, and to be easily
interference are also of importance. Reference
maintained.
should be made to BS 83133) which deals with the
Where provision is not made on the control design and construction of ducts, chases, etc. for the
equipment, provision should be made adjacent to it accommodation of services. Where surface boxes are
for the following items: likely to be subject to unauthorized interference, the
a) the diagrammatic representation of 15.4.3; boxes should not be predrilled or be of a type
b) operating instructions for the correct action in incorporating “knock-out” cable entries.
the event of a fire or fault indication;
3) In preparation (revision of CP 413).
© BSI 10-1998 47
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 3
24.1.2 Vertical ducts. Vertical cable ducts should be 24.3.2 Fire stopping inside ducts, etc. In addition to
continuous throughout the height of a multi-storey the recommendations of 24.3.1, if cables, conduits or
building (but see 24.3) and their position and conductors are installed in channels, ducts,
number should allow convenient lateral distribution trunking or shafts that pass through floors, walls,
on each floor. Provision for the support of cables at partitions or ceilings, then barriers with the
frequent intervals is necessary. appropriate level of fire resistance should be
24.1.3 Horizontal ducts and channels. Horizontal provided inside the channels, etc. to prevent the
ducts or channels may be required between the spread of fire.
control point and vertical ducts and from vertical If cables or wires are run in ducts which penetrate
ducts to the various rooms, etc. These may be walls or floors required to provide fire-resisting
formed within the structure or provided by means of separation, and the ducts are formed of construction
conduit or trunking concealed or surface mounted as having at least the same fire resistance as that
appropriate. required of the walls or floors, then the cables or
24.2 Cable holes wires need only be fire-stopped where they pass into
and out of the ducts. If the cables or wires are in
24.2.1 External walls. Where a cable passes through trunking, or if the duct construction has a lesser
an external wall a smooth-bore sleeve of metal or standard of fire resistance than the structure
other non-hygroscopic material should be sealed penetrated, then the ducts or trunking should be
into the wall. It should slope downwards towards fire-stopped at the points where they pass through
the outside and should be plugged with a suitable the walls or floors; the standard of fire-stopping
non-hardening waterproof compound to prevent the should be such as to maintain the fire resistance of
entry of rain, dust or vermin. Care should be taken the walls and floors at the required level.
to ensure that the ends of the sleeve are free from
sharp edges to guard against damage to cables 24.4 Cabling and wiring
during installation. 24.4.1 General. The installation should be
24.2.2 Internal walls. Where a cable passes through undertaken generally in accordance with the latest
an internal wall a smooth clearance hole should be edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations.
provided. If additional mechanical protection is NOTE 1 Although those parts of the fire alarm system connected
necessary then a smooth-bore sleeve should be to a safety source are specifically excluded from coverage by the
IEE Wiring Regulations, the general principles of good practice
sealed into the wall. Care should be taken to ensure in wiring installations outlined in the regulations should be
that the ends of the sleeve are free from sharp edges followed throughout the fire alarm system.
to guard against damage to cables during The recommendations of 16.2 and clause 17 should
installation. be observed. Precautions should be taken where
24.2.3 Floors. The considerations for external walls cables or metallic conduits are installed in damp or
(see 24.2.1) apply similarly to floors, but the sleeve corrosive situations.
should extend as far above floor level as is required NOTE 2 Some plasters and cements have a corrosive effect on
for protection of the cable it is to carry, and in any metals.
case not less than 300 mm. Where a cable passes 24.4.2 Cables and wires. The cables and wires
through a horizontal structural element external to should be of a type recommended for the purpose in
the building, the hole should be plugged with a clause 17. It is essential that the cable
suitable non-hardening waterproof compound to manufacturer’s instructions with respect to voltage
prevent the entry of rain, dust or vermin. surge suppression are followed implicitly. All
24.3 Precautions against spread of fire terminations should be carried out by a competent
person.
24.3.1 Fire stopping round ducts, etc. Where cables,
If multi-core cables are used it may be advisable to
conduits, ducts, channels or trunking pass through
floors, walls, partitions or ceilings, the surrounding install cable having spare cores to avoid the
hole should be as small as reasonably practical and necessity of running extra cables at a later date, or
the risk of this not being done on the grounds of
made good with fire-stopping material to the full
undue cost. Such provision should allow for
thickness of the floor, wall etc. Spaces through
conductor current carrying capacity related to use of
which fire or smoke might spread should not be left
the additional cores.
around the cable, conduit, duct, channel or
trunking.
48 © BSI 10-1998
Section 3 BS 5839-1:1988
24.4.3 Joints in cables. Joints in cables, other than 25.4 Radioactivity

those contained within enclosures of equipment, If detectors contain radioactive material, then the
should be avoided wherever possible. Where a joint installer may have responsibilities under legislation
in a cable is unavoidable, it should be enclosed in a (see appendix E).
suitable and accessible junction box labelled “FIRE
ALARM” to avoid confusion with other services. 26 Inspection, initial testing,
Jointing and termination methods should be chosen
commissioning and certification of
to minimize any reduction in reliability and
resistance to fire below that of the unjointed cable. systems
24.4.4 Surface wiring. Surface-laid cables should be 26.1 Record drawings and operating
neatly run and securely fixed at suitable intervals. instructions
24.5 Earth continuity On completion of the installation, adequate
instructions on its use, routine attention and test
Where metallic conduit, ducting or trunking is used
procedures should be supplied to the person
it should be of a type which will ensure earth responsible for the use of the premises. The installer
continuity and mechanical rigidity throughout. should draw the attention of the user to those
If metallic conduit or the metallic sheath of a cable clauses of this part of BS 5839 that may reflect on
is intended to serve as a protective conductor and the use of the fire alarm system, and in particular
terminates at an insulated equipment enclosure, those clauses dealing with false alarms (clause 14)
then care should be taken to provide an adequate and user responsibilities (clauses 28 and 29).
connection to any earthing terminal provided within The installer should supply the user with a log book
the insulated enclosure and/or an adequate bridging and a certificate of installation and commissioning
link to any other metallic conduit or metallic cable
(see 28.2.2 and appendices B and D).
sheath terminating at the enclosure.
Drawings should be provided to the user showing,
Where metallic conduit terminates at a thin-walled
for maintenance and record purposes, the position of
metal enclosure, connection should be made by
the various items of equipment, junction boxes, etc.
using a thick-walled or flanged conduit coupler with and the sizes and routes of all cables and wires.
a suitable locking washer. Care should be taken to Particular attention should be paid to the locations
ensure electrical continuity by removal or
of items needing regular attention or replacement.
penetration of non-conductive paint or other coating
Wiring diagrams of junction boxes and distribution
at the interface between the enclosure and conduit
cases should be included. The records should be
coupler. The location of the connection to the
permanent and suitable for convenient reference.
enclosure should be protected against rust or They should be prepared in accordance with
corrosion after making the connection. BS 1635 and should be updated to include any
modifications or additions made to the system.
25 Installation of equipment
If the purchasing specification so requires, circuit
25.1 Delivery and storage diagrams of the fire alarm system and its
To reduce the risk of damage and deterioration, components should be supplied in sufficient detail
equipment, apparatus and material should not be for the operation of the system to be understood by
delivered until installation can proceed, unless the technical staff of the user.
suitable storage accommodation has been arranged. 26.2 Inspection of installation
25.2 Protection The complete installation should be inspected to
Adequate steps should be taken at all times to ensure that the work has been carried out in a
protect the finish of equipment during the satisfactory manner, that the methods, materials
construction and installation period. Particular and components used comply with this part of
attention should be paid to protection of equipment BS 5839, and that the record drawings and
enclosures against ingress of dust and moisture. operating instructions (see 26.1) have been
25.3 Secondary batteries supplied.
Cells of secondary batteries should be fitted and

charged in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.
© BSI 10-1998 49
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 3
26.3 Insulation of cables and wires 26.7.2 Early handover without beneficial use. In
Insulation testing of installed cables and wires some cases the fire detection system will be handed
should be made at 500 V d.c. and the insulation over to the owner’s agent before the remainder of a
resistance to earth and between conductors of the building project is complete. If the system is not to
installed cables and wires should be in accordance be put to immediate use, then provision should be
with the IEE Wiring Regulations. Tests that might made for regular standby maintenance to minimize
damage items of equipment, especially apparatus damage arising from the activities of other trades,
incorporating electronic circuits, should be carried e.g. ingress of dust or grit arising from plastering,
out with the cables disconnected from the floor sanding or painting, water seepage or exposure
equipment. If access to the equipment would be to the elements. Smoke detectors, door or damper
difficult after final inspection, then the separate release mechanisms and linkages are particularly
parts of the circuits may be tested during vulnerable to a lowering of efficiency from these
installation, but the completed circuit should also be causes.
tested at a voltage recommended by the 26.7.3 Early handover with beneficial use. If the fire
manufacturer. detection system is to be handed over, in whole or in
26.4 Earthing part, to be used before the building is finished, then
the supplier’s recommended maintenance
Earth continuity and, where appropriate, earth-loop programme should be instituted from the date of the
impedance, should be tested to ensure compliance handover.
with the IEE Wiring Regulations.
If the work of other trades is likely to produce
26.5 Commissioning test environmental conditions more severe than those

The system should be tested to ensure that it expected in normal usage, then consideration
operates satisfactorily and that, in particular: should be given to an increased frequency and
extent of maintenance. If the system is to perform in
a) the alarm devices comply with the
a life safety role prior to building completion, then
recommendations of clause 9;
provision should be made for regular testing. The
b) all detectors and manual call points function system log book (see 28.2.2) should be properly kept
correctly and initiate the correct operation; from the date on which the system is put into
c) any connection to the fire brigade or remote operation.
manned centre operates correctly; 26.8 Operational audit
d) any radio links have adequate signal strength
In large or complex systems it may be desirable that
(see 18.4);
an operational audit is made after the system has
e) any signals to ancillary equipment are given been in operation for a time (usually a few months).
correctly. This audit should cover the functioning and
26.6 Certification performance of the system, including such items as
the ability of the operators to use the controls and
The installer should certify that the installation
indications, the logging of events and the efficiency
complies with the recommendations of this part of
of maintenance.
BS 5839 or, if deviations have been agreed (see 4.3),
a statement of these deviations should be given by
27 Extensions and alterations to
the installer (see appendix B).
existing systems
26.7 Handover
If the work is an extension of an existing
26.7.1 Normal handover. When commissioning and installation, then the existing equipment should be
certification are complete, the system should be thoroughly tested to ensure that it will function
formally handed over to the user. Where possible, satisfactorily in conjunction with the new
the responsible person (see 28.1.1) should assure equipment and that the power supplies have
himself that all the necessary documentation has adequate capacity to supply the additional load.
been completed before accepting the handover.
Prior to undertaking changes or extensions,
consideration should be given to their effect on the
performance of the existing system and agreement
should be obtained from interested parties.
Following completion of the alterations, inspection,
testing, commissioning and certification should be
carried out as recommended in clause 26.
50 © BSI 10-1998
Section 3 BS 5839-1:1988
Changes to the system that might affect its response

to fire or fault conditions should only be undertaken
by competent personnel. However, it is acceptable
for local information such as identification of zone or
sensor locations to be altered by personnel
authorized by the responsible person.
Where the operation of the system depends on a
stored program, provision for changing this program
should be carefully controlled. In general, program
changes should only be made following discussions
between the relevant organizations listed in 4.3.
© BSI 10-1998 51
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 4
Section 4. User responsibilities
28 General c) Dates and times of all alarms (genuine,

practice, test or false) together with their causes
28.1 Supervision
where known. If alarms have been caused by the
28.1.1 Responsible person. The owner or other operation of a detector or manual call point, then
person having control of the premises should the location of the device should be recorded if
appoint a responsible person to supervise the known.
system. This person should be given sufficient d) Dates, times and types of all defects and faults.
authority to ensure the carrying out of any
necessary work to maintain the system in correct e) Dates and types of all tests.
operation, the maintenance of the records listed f) Dates and types of all servicing (routine or
in 28.2 and the servicing recommended in clause 29. special).
28.1.2 Procedures. Procedures should be laid down g) Dates and times of all periods of disconnection
for dealing with alarms of fire (see 4.2), fault or disablement.
warnings or taking part or all of the system out of h) All alterations to the system.
service. These procedures should be approved by the The log book should be available for inspection by
appropriate fire authority before implementation. any authorized person.
28.1.3 Training. The responsible person should In some micro-processor or computer based systems,
ensure that users of the system are instructed in its an automatic log may be generated, either locally
proper use, including the procedures described (e.g. on a printer) or remotely. Such logs can be of
in 28.1.2. Any members of staff who will be
great assistance in tracing and correcting system

concerned with first aid fire-fighting should be problems. If no automatic log is available, a
instructed in the correct interpretation of the non-resettable electromechanical counter may form
indications given, and their relationship with the an effective means of encouraging reliable recording
building layout. All management, staff and, in most of all fire signal activations. If a counter is used, its
cases, long term occupants, should be instructed reading should be recorded as part of the
and practised in the proper actions to be taken in information of item c).
the event of fire.
28.3 Radioactivity
28.1.4 Liaison. The responsible person should
establish a liaison with those responsible for If detectors contain radioactive material, the user
changes in or maintenance of the building fabric may have responsibilities under legislation
(including redecoration, etc.) to ensure that their (see appendix E).
work does not cause faults on, or otherwise interfere 28.4 Prevention of false alarms
with the operation of, the fire alarm system. If
28.4.1 General. Many false alarms are caused by
structural or occupancy changes occur or are
operations in the vicinity of detectors, carried out
planned, then the responsible person should ensure
either negligently or in ignorance. The responsible
that any necessary changes to the fire alarm system
person should ensure that staff and visiting
are considered at an early stage.
contractors are aware that the building is fitted
28.1.5 Freedom from obstruction. The responsible with an automatic fire detection system.
person should ensure that a clear space is preserved
28.4.2 Notices. Where possible, permanent notices
in all directions below every detector (see 12.2.9
should be displayed at the entrance to all areas in
and 12.2.10) and that all manual call points remain
which detectors are sited. A suitable text is:
unobstructed and conspicuous.
“This area is protected by automatic fire
28.2 Records
detectors. Before undertaking any work
28.2.1 Drawings and instructions. The record involving heat, flame, dust or sparks, clearance
drawings and operating instructions supplied in must be obtained from ............”
accordance with the recommendations of 26.1 28.4.3 Tenders and contracts. Tender documents for
should be kept up to date and available for contract work to be carried out in a protected area
convenient reference, and preferably in the same should contain a clause making the contractor
location as the control and indicating equipment. responsible for informing his staff of the presence
28.2.2 Log book. The responsible person should and purpose of the automatic detection system, and
ensure that a log book (see appendix D) is kept in the precautions to be adopted when working.
which the following should be recorded. Contracts should contain a clause making the
a) The name of the responsible person. contractor responsible for any charges levied
b) Brief details of any servicing arrangements. following false alarms generated by the actions of
his staff.
52 © BSI 10-1998
Section 4 BS 5839-1:1988
28.4.4 Precautions against dust and smoke. Where If it is not possible to obtain service from engineers
temporary work involving the generation of dust, on call at all times, or if because of special
smoke, paint spray, etc. is to be carried out in an circumstances no service contract has been
area protected by smoke detectors, precautions arranged, then the responsible person should
should be taken to prevent false alarms or damage ensure that at least one person is employed who has
to the detectors by contamination. Suitable had suitable experience of electrical equipment and
measures may include the following: who has had special training with the
a) temporary replacement of smoke detectors by manufacturer, supplier or installer to deal with
heat detectors (not possible with all systems); simple servicing. The employee(s) should be
instructed not to attempt to exceed the scope of their
b) provision of a temporary screen between the
training.
work area and the detectors;
c) provision of temporary covers, such as plastic 29.2 Routine attention
or paper bags, to prevent ingress of 29.2.1 General. The responsible person should
contamination. ensure that the routine attention and test
All of these measures will, to a greater or lesser procedures supplied under 26.1 are properly
extent, impair the sensitivity of the system to fire. followed.
Experience has shown that the risk of fire is higher A general guide to the routine that should be
during periods of construction or maintenance, and adopted to ensure the continuing good operation of
therefore the provision of manual surveillance the system is given in 29.2.2 to 29.2.8. The routine
should be considered while such measures remain to be adopted in individual premises may vary with
in force. the use of the premises; equipment installed in
28.4.5 Completion of work. The responsible person corrosive or dirty conditions will need to be checked
should ensure that when the work is completed: more thoroughly and at more frequent intervals
than that in clean and dry situations.
a) any temporary screening or covering is
removed; In some equipment a proportion of the testing
recommended in this clause is carried out
b) any residual dust is removed; automatically. In this type of equipment the
c) any substituted smoke detectors are replaced; manufacturer may specify an increase in the
d) the system is properly reinstated. intervals between testing of certain functions, and
After reinstatement, an operational check of the in such circumstances the manufacturer’s
system should be made by a competent person. specification may be followed.
The responsible person should ensure that all
29 Servicing equipment is properly reinstated after testing.
29.1 General In some cases it may be desirable for special
facilities to be incorporated in the system to assist in
To give greater assurance of reliability, correct servicing, e.g. a low-level “pip tone” can be used in
servicing is essential. Normally an agreement some sounder systems to enable the sounders to be
should be made with a manufacturer, supplier or checked without undue disturbance of the
other competent contractor for regular servicing. occupants. Where synthesized or recorded speech
The agreement should specify the method of liaison messages are used, a monitor speaker near the
to provide access to the premises. The name and control equipment may enable the message to be
telephone number of the servicing organization checked without operating the main sounders.
should be prominently displayed at the control and
indicating equipment. 29.2.2 Prevention of false alarms of fire during
routine testing. It is important to ensure that
For premises in continuous use, e.g. hospitals, operation during testing does not result in a false
hotels and old people’s homes, the agreement should alarm of fire.
preferably include a requirement that an engineer
should be on call at all times, both during and
outside normal working hours, and that telephoned
requests for emergency service should be executed
promptly. In any case, agreement should be made
that repair services will be available within 24 h.
A servicing agreement should be made immediately
on completion of the installation whether the
premises are occupied or not.
© BSI 10-1998 53
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 4
If the fire alarm system is connected to a 999 If operation of the alarm sounders has been
automatic dialling unit, then transmission should prevented by disconnection then a further test
be prevented (for instance by disconnection) before should be carried out to prove the final
the routine test is carried out, since under normal reinstatement of the sounders, and, if
conditions 999 test calls are not permitted. In permissible, of the alarm transmission circuits.
certain equipment using automatic dialling, it is b) If the batteries are open or accessible, then a
possible to prevent transmission of signals by lifting visual examination of the battery and its
a telephone receiver. Use of this function to inhibit connections should be made to ensure that they
transmission is deprecated, but where used the are in good condition. Action should be taken to
inhibited state should be indicated by the use of a remedy any defect, including low electrolyte level.
notice on the control equipment.
c) The fuel, oil, and coolant levels of any standby
If transmission of signals to a remote manned centre generator should be checked and topped up as
is prevented during test, a visual indication of this necessary.
state should be given at the control equipment. If a
d) Any printer should be checked to ensure that
link to a remote manned centre is to be used during
its reserves of paper, ink or ribbon are adequate
the test, then it is essential to notify the centre
for at least 2 weeks normal usage.
before undertaking the test, unless a recognized test
procedure is regularly carried out at an agreed time. Any defect should be recorded in the log book and
reported to the responsible person, and action
The occupants of the premises should be notified of
should be taken to correct it.
any test of the system that may result in the
sounders being operated. 29.2.5 Monthly attention by the user. If an
automatically started emergency generator is used

29.2.3 Daily attention by the user. A check should be
as part of the standby supply, then it should be
made every day to ascertain the following:
started up once each month by a simulation of a
a) that either the panel indicates normal failure of the normal power supply, and allowed to
operation, or if not, that any fault indicated is energize the fire alarm supply for a continuous
recorded in the log book and that the other period of at least 1 h. The fire alarm system should
actions recommended in 29.3.4 have been taken; be monitored to identify any malfunctioning caused
NOTE In program controlled systems, failure to correctly by the use of the generator. At the end of the test
execute software is indicated either on an event counter, or on period the normal supply should be restored and the
an automatic reset indicator.
charging arrangements for the starting battery
b) that any fault warning recorded the previous checked for proper functioning. The fuel tanks
day has received attention. should be left filled and the oil and coolant levels
If any connection to the public fire brigade or other topped up as necessary.
remote manned centre is not continuously NOTE Frequent starting of the generator followed by a few
monitored then it should be tested daily in minutes on-load is not recommended. It is important that when
accordance with the supplier’s instructions. the engine is running, the generator is loaded to at least 50 % of
the engine’s capacity to prevent sooting up with resultant loss of
NOTE On 1 day each week the daily test will be incorporated in performance.
the weekly test.
29.2.6 Quarterly inspection and test. The
29.2.4 Weekly attention by the user. The following
responsible person should ensure that
tests should be made every week to ensure that the
every 3 months the following check is carried out by
system is capable of operating under alarm
a competent person.
conditions.
a) Entries in the log book should be checked and
a) At least one detector, call point or end of line
any necessary action taken.
switch on one zone should be operated to test the
ability of the control and indicating equipment to b) Batteries and their connections should be
receive a signal and to sound the alarm and examined and tested as specified by the supplier
operate any other warning devices. For systems (see 16.3.2.1) to ensure that they are in good
having 13 zones or less, each zone should be serviceable condition and not likely to fail before
tested in turn; if there are more than 13 zones the next quarterly inspection.
then more than one zone may need to be tested in c) Where applicable, secondary batteries should
any week so that the interval between tests on be examined to ensure that the specific gravity of
one zone does not exceed 13 weeks. It is electrolyte in each cell is correct. Any necessary
preferable that each time a particular zone is remedial action should be taken.
tested a different trigger device is used. An entry
should be made in the log book quoting the
particular trigger device that has been used to
initiate the test.
54 © BSI 10-1998
Section 4 BS 5839-1:1988
d) Primary batteries, including reserves, should b) Each detector should be checked for correct
be tested to verify that they are satisfactory for a operation in accordance with the manufacturer’s
further period of use by taking measurements recommendations (see 29.4).
that are indicative of the conditions of each cell, c) A visual inspection should be made to confirm
e.g. its voltage on a known and very high rate of that all cable fittings and equipment are secure,
discharge. The test conditions and the undamaged and adequately protected.
significance of the readings will depend on the
Any defect should be recorded in the log book and
type of cell and the use to which it is being put.
reported to the responsible person, and action
These should be clearly specified by the supplier
should be taken to correct it.
or commissioning company and applied with care.
Primary batteries should in any case be replaced On completion of the work, a certificate of testing
within the period of shelf life stipulated by the (see appendix C) should be given to the responsible
battery manufacturer. person.
e) The alarm functions of the control and 29.2.8 Wiring check. The responsible person should
indicating equipment should be checked by the ensure that every 5 years (or more frequently if the
operation of a detector or call point in each zone building electrical system is tested at shorter
as described in 29.2.4. The operation of the alarm intervals) the installation should be tested in
sounders and any link to a remote manned centre accordance with the testing and inspection
other than a 999 autodialler should be tested. All requirements of the IEE Wiring Regulations. Any
ancillary functions of the control panel should defect should be recorded in the log book and
also be tested where practicable. All fault reported to the responsible person, and action
indicators and their circuits should be checked, should be taken to correct it.
preferably by simulation of fault conditions. The On completion of the work, a certificate of testing
control and indicating equipment should be (see appendix C) should be given to the responsible
visually inspected for signs of moisture ingress person.
and other deterioration. 29.3 Special servicing
f) A visual inspection should be made to check
29.3.1 General. The routine attention described
whether structural or occupancy changes have
in 29.2 is intended to maintain the system in
affected the requirements for the siting of manual
operation under normal circumstances. There may,
call points, detectors and sounders. The visual
however, be special circumstances in which other
inspection should also confirm that a clear space
attention is needed.
of at least 750 mm is preserved in all directions
below every detector, that the detectors are sited 29.3.2 Action by the user after any fire (whether
in accordance with clauses 12 and/or 13 and that detected automatically or not). The responsible
all manual call points remain unobstructed and person should ensure that the following work is
conspicuous. carried out as soon as possible after any fire, and
that normal use of the area is not resumed until the
g) All further checks and tests specified by the
work is carried out.
installer, supplier or manufacturer should be
carried out. a) If the system includes detectors containing
NOTE The recommendations of items b), c) and d) above need not
radioactive material, then any actions required to
be applied to batteries which power individual items of deal with contamination should be taken
equipment (such as detectors or sounders) and which have (see appendix E).
provision for monitoring as recommended in 18.2.3.
b) Each detector or call point which may have
Any defect should be recorded in the log book and been affected by the fire should be tested. This
reported to the responsible person, and action test should preferably be carried out so as to
should be taken to correct it. simulate fire conditions: smoke detectors should
On completion of the work, a certificate of testing be tested by the application of smoke or other
(see appendix C) should be given to the responsible aerosol to the detector, and resettable heat
person. detectors by the application of warm air or gas.
29.2.7 Annual inspection and test. The responsible Non-resettable detectors need not be tested by
person should ensure that the following check and operation, but should be visually inspected for
test sequence is carried out every year by a fire damage.
competent person. c) Each fire alarm sounder should be tested.
a) The inspection and test routines detailed
in 29.2.6.
© BSI 10-1998 55
BS 5839-1:1988 Section 4
d) A visual examination should be made of any b) Where possible, establish the cause of the false
other part of the fire alarm system which lies alarm. It is possible that the actual cause of the
within the fire area or which might have been alarm will have been lost in the operations
damaged by the fire. Such parts may include resulting from the alarm; where this is so a note
power supplies, control equipment and should be kept of any events or activities near the
interconnections. detector immediately prior to the alarm.
e) Any defect found should be recorded in the log c) Record the false alarm in the log book and
book and immediate action taken to correct the inform the organization responsible for servicing.
defect. If one detector or group of detectors gives repeated
f) The organization responsible for servicing the false alarms then the organization responsible for
system should be informed of the fire and of any servicing should be informed and required to
defects on the system, and instructed to carry out investigate. The average rate of false alarms from
a check of the system. an installation should not exceed one false alarm
The responsible person should also ensure that the per year for each 10 detectors connected to the
following work is carried out, although this may system. The number of false alarms from an
take place after normal use has been resumed. individual detector or detector location should not
exceed one false alarm per 2 years. Installations,
1) A check should be made of the state of the
detectors or detector locations having higher false
battery and charger.
alarm rates should be subject to special
2) The servicing organization should carry out a investigation.
further check for damage to the system,

29.3.4 Action by the user following a fault. If a fault
particularly any parts in which damage might be
has been shown to exist, either by the system’s own
hidden, such as buried cables. The extent of a fire
monitoring or by any other method, then the
may necessitate a more comprehensive check of
responsible person should ensure that the following
the system.
actions are taken:
3) If the fire was not detected by the system, or if
a) determine the area affected by the fault and
detection occurred at an unexpectedly late stage
decide whether special action (such as fire
of the fire, then the reasons for this should be
patrols) are needed in that area;
investigated and, if necessary, consideration be
given to system modifications to prevent any b) if possible, determine the reason for the fault,
repetition. or note the activities immediately prior to the
fault in the area affected;
On completion of the work, a certificate of testing
(see appendix C) should be given to the responsible c) record the fault in the log book, inform the
person. Where any changes have been made to the organization responsible for servicing and
system the records should be up-dated. arrange for repair.
29.3.3 Action by the user after any false alarm. False 29.3.5 Action by the user following a pre-alarm
alarms can be a major hazard to any fire alarm warning. On some systems a pre-alarm warning is
system since they lead to a loss of confidence in the given if the output from a detector appears to be
system. It is important that any alarm from the drifting towards the alarm level. The main purpose
system is treated as an alarm of fire until it can be of the pre-alarm warning is to allow faulty detectors
proved to be false, rather than being treated as false to be cleaned or otherwise corrected before a false
until proved to be a fire. Where an alarm has been alarm is given; however, it is possible that the
found to be false the following immediate actions pre-alarm warning is given in response to a slowly
should be taken by the responsible person or a growing fire. The responsible person should ensure
person to whom he has delegated this duty. that the following actions are taken:
a) Where possible, identify the particular detector a) determine the detector and area from which
or call point which has initiated the alarm. If the warning has come;
detectors having individual indicator lamps are b) inspect the area thoroughly to ensure that
in use, any indications will be cancelled by there is no fire; if a fire is found, then carry out
resetting, and hence it is important that the the preplanned fire routine;
detectors are examined before the system is reset. c) if no fire is found, record the warning in the log
book and inform the organization responsible for
servicing.
56 © BSI 10-1998
Section 4 BS 5839-1:1988
29.3.6 Prolonged periods of disconnection. Special 29.4.3 Detectors other than heat detectors. Detectors
attention may be needed to prevent damage to other than heat detectors should be checked for
batteries from prolonged deep discharge. On correct operation and sensitivity in accordance with
reconnection, the system should be subjected to the the manufacturer’s recommendations. If detectors
inspection and test routines described under 29.2.7 are removed from their mounting for this checking,
for annual inspection and test. then a final test should be carried out for operation
29.3.7 Other non-routine attention. Other occasions after remounting.
on which attention may be required beyond that of 29.4.4 System disconnection during testing. Care
routine servicing include the following: should be taken to minimize disruption of the
a) extensions or alterations to the premises normal use of a building by alarms sounding during
(see clause 27); detector testing. It is preferable that during testing
of detectors as much as possible of the remainder of
b) changes in occupancy or activities in the area
the system should continue to function normally. If
covered by the system;
detectors are removed from the system for testing or
c) changes in the ambient noise level or sound servicing, replacement detectors should be
attenuation such as to change the sounder immediately provided to keep the system in normal
requirements; operation, or separate provision should be made for
d) damage to the installation, even though no surveillance of the unprotected area.
fault may be immediately apparent; 29.4.5 Systems using addressable detectors. Care
e) any change to ancillary equipment. should be taken during the maintenance of systems
29.4 Detectors in which the detector is itself coded. False

information in respect of the origin of alarm could
29.4.1 General. It is essential that routine tests are occur if individually coded detectors were
adequate to ensure that the requisite degree of exchanged.
sensitivity to fire is maintained, and users should
satisfy themselves on this point. If it is found that 29.5 Secondary batteries
the sensitivity of detectors is adversely affected by The test specified by the manufacturer
the rapid accumulation of dirt, then arrangements under 16.3.2.1 should be carried out at the intervals
should be made to increase the frequency of the specified.
inspections. Any detectors which have shown 29.6 Spare parts
continued signs of instability should be replaced.
If a service contract is in force, then it is not
29.4.2 Heat detectors. Heat detectors should be necessary to carry spares other than fuses and
visually examined for damage or other conditions, frangible elements for manual call points. There
such as any coat of paint, likely to interfere with may, however, be advantages if the user agrees with
correct operation. Routine tests of operation should the servicing organization to hold additional spare
be carried out as recommended by the parts.
manufacturer, with at least 2 % of the installed heat
detectors operated annually by the application of a
heat source as a check on reliability. If possible,
different detectors should be tested each year. If any
of the tested detectors fails to operate properly, then
the cause of the failure should be investigated. If the
cause of the fault is likely to have affected other
detectors, or if the cause cannot be determined, then
a further 2 % of the detectors should be tested. If any
failures occur in the second set, then further
investigations should be made.
© BSI 10-1998 57
BS 5839-1:1988 Appendix A
Appendix A Automatic connection to c) Some companies provide local “collectors” to

the fire brigade which direct line connection may be made.
Signals from a number of premises can be
A.1 General connected to the same “collector”, where the
There are several methods by which alarms of fire signals are multiplexed together and transmitted
can be transmitted automatically from the protected over a common line to a remote manned centre. In
premises to the fire brigade. this type of system the costs may be reduced,
The availability, reliability and means of testing the since the price of the line between the “collector”
connection to the fire brigade should be discussed and the remote manned centre is shared between
with the installer of the fire alarm system, the several users.
communications officer of the local fire brigade and, A.3 Communication via the public switched
where communication is via remote manned centre, telephone network
its operator. A number of systems are possible by which alarm
Connection of a system to fire brigade mobilizing signals may be transmitted over the public switched
controls may be the subject of a licence or agreement telephone network (PSTN). In general these may be
between the installing engineers and the fire classified into the following.
authority concerned. Contact with the local fire a) Carrier and similar systems, in which the fire
authority on this matter is advised. alarm signals are carried on the same wire as
A.2 Communication via a private line voice signals, but are separated from the voice
Some methods of communication with the fire signals in the exchange before entering the
brigade necessitate the renting of a public switching system. These systems are usually
telecommunications operator private line or other operated by the telecommunications operator,
land line, together with equipment to transmit and but are not universally available.
receive the signals. Correct functioning of the line b) Systems using the 999 emergency system. 999
and the equipment may be monitored. The amount calls are given an automatic priority over other
of information which can be transmitted will vary calls, but can only be used for communication
depending on the equipment used, but as a with the local emergency services. It is thus
minimum facilities should be available for impossible to use the 999 system to communicate
transmitting fire and fault signals. Test facilities with a remote manned centre, or for a remote
are normally available and the user would normally manned centre outside the local area to use
be expected to initiate test calls at regular intervals. the 999 system to send the alarm to the local fire
The procedure for making a test call will depend on brigade. Further, since the 999 system depends
the system used, but should be carefully laid down on voice communication, it can only accept
and followed in order to prevent a test call being signals which are intelligible to the operator,
mistaken for a fire alarm. such as recorded or synthesized speech.
Although a number of different systems are c) Systems using the normal switching system.
available, in practice the system used often depends Commercial systems are available that
on the arrangements made by the fire authority for automatically “dial” the remote manned centre
connections to the fire brigade control. Available using the public switched telephone network.
systems include the following. Once contact is made, a coded signal is sent
a) Direct connection to the fire brigade control. identifying the type of alarm (fire, fault, test, etc.)
This depends on the mobilization policy of the and the address from which the alarm originates.
brigade concerned. Most such systems allow for multiple retries in
the event of failure to connect initially, but it
b) Connection to a remote manned centre
should be appreciated that dialling a 10 digit
(commercial central fire alarm station). This
number will take about 30 s for each try. Four
possibility depends on the distance from the
tries may thus absorb 2 min in simple dialling
protected premises to the remote manned centre,
time, without any other delays.
since the user will have to bear the full cost of the
dedicated private line, in addition to the remote
manned centre operator’s charges. The remote
manned centre should have a direct telephone
connection to the appropriate fire brigade.
58 © BSI 10-1998
Appendix A BS 5839-1:1988
Where the alarm is sent to a remote manned centre

outside the local fire authority area, the method of
communication between the remote manned centre
and the fire brigade becomes important. The most
reliable method is a direct line fire telephone, but
private lines over long distances are expensive.
The 999 system cannot be used, since it is for local
alarms only. Some fire brigades have a control room
telephone with an ex-directory number which can be
given to remote manned centres. The fire brigade’s
administrative number should not be used, since at
busy periods there may be considerable delays in
answering it.
© BSI 10-1998 59
BS 5839-1:1988 Appendix B
Appendix B Model certificate of installation and commissioning of a fire alarm

system
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Certificate of installation and commissioning of the fire alarm system at:
Protected area ......................................................................
Address .......................................................................
...........................................................................
My attention has been drawn to the recommendations of BS 5839-1:1988;

in particular, to clauses 14 (false alarms), 28 and 29 (user responsibilities).
In accordance with BS 5839-1:1988, subclause 26.1, record drawings and operating instructions have been
supplied, and received by:
Signed ............................ Status ............................. Date ........................

For and on behalf of (user) ........................................................................
...............................................................................................
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
In accordance with BS 5839-1:1988, subclause 26.2, the installation has been inspected and been found to
comply with the recommendations of the code.
In accordance with BS 5839-1:1988, subclause 26.3, the insulation of cables and wires has been tested.
In accordance with BS 5839-1:1988, subclause 26.4, the earthing has been tested.
In accordance with BS 5839-1:1988, subclause 26.5, the entire system has been tested for satisfactory
operation.
In accordance with BS 5839-1:1988, subclause 26.6, it is certified that the installation complies with the
recommendations of the code, other than the following deviations:
Signed (Commissioning engineer) .................................................... Date ............................
For and on behalf of (installer) ......................................................................................
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
The system log book is situated ..............................................................................................
The system documentation is situated ..................................................................................................
60 © BSI 1998
Appendix C BS 5839-1:1988
Appendix C Model certificate of testing of a fire alarm system

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Certificate of testing of fire alarm system at:
Protected area .......................................................................................
Address ............................................................................
.........................................................................
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
The system is operational and has been checked and tested in accordance with BS 5839-1:1988:
*
clause 27 Extensions and alterations to an existing system
* subclause 29.2.6 Quarterly inspection and test
*
subclause 29.2.7 Annual inspection and test
*
subclause 29.2.8 Wiring check
* subclause 29.3.2 Servicing after a fire
* subclause 29.3.3 Servicing following a false alarm
* subclause 29.3.3 Servicing following excessive false alarms
* subclause 29.3.4 Servicing following a fault
*
subclause 29.3.5 Servicing following a pre-alarm warning
*
subclause 29.3.7 Other non-routine attention (specify) ......................................................
................................................................................
*
Delete if not applicable.
Signed ........................................................... Status ........................................................... Date ....................
For and on behalf of (user or service organization) ................................................................
..............................................................................................
© BSI 10-1998 61
BS 5839-1:1988 Appendix D
Appendix D Model log book for fire alarm systems
D.1 General
The data to be recorded in the log book falls into the following two main categories:
a) reference data relating to the configuration of the system, responsibilities for the system,
requirements for component replacement and any other data which might be required for future
reference;
b) historical data relating to events which have occurred on the system, including fires, false alarms,
testing and servicing.
The two categories of data should be separated in the log book.
For investigation purposes it is often necessary to trace the history of some feature of the system; for
instance, to trace the interaction of false alarm rates with the period since the last service. Historical data
should therefore be recorded in date sequence, irrespective of the type of event. It is, however, permissible
to maintain an abbreviated event log in date sequence, with each entry referring to entries in separate log
books for different types of event.
D.2 Changes
Provision should be made for recording changes in the reference data for the system. In some cases (such
as a change in the servicing organization) it may be appropriate for a new log book to be provided, while in
others (such as a change of responsible person) it may be appropriate to record the change in the existing
log book. Any such change should be dated and should not obliterate the previous entry.
62 © BSI 10-1998
Appendix D BS 5839-1:1988
D.3 Model log book
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Log book
Foreword
It is recommended that this log book is maintained by a responsible executive who should ensure that every
entry is properly recorded. An “event” should include fire alarms (whether real or false), faults, pre-alarm
warnings, tests, temporary disconnections and the dates of installing or servicing engineer’s visits with a
brief note of work carried out and outstanding.
Reference data
Name and address ..........................................................................
...........................................................................
Responsible person .................................................... Date ...............................
................................................... Date ................................
................................................... Date ................................
................................................... Date ................................
The system was installed by ........................................................................................
and is maintained under contract by ............................. until ......................................
Tel. no ....................................... who should be contacted if service is required.
Event data
Date Time Counter readinga Event Action required Date completed Initials
Expendable component replacement due (list): ............................................

......................................................................................
......................................................................................
a
If an event counter is provided (see 28.2.2).
A program controlled system may need a column to record the readings of the failure to correctly execute software counter
[see 6.9 d)].
© BSI 10-1998 63
BS 5839-1:1988 Appendices E and F
Appendix E Ionization chamber F.4 Manual controls

smoke detectors The layout of any control panel should be such that
confusion will not arise between controls operating
Ionization chamber smoke detectors contain small
amounts of radioactive materials. There are the fire alarm system and controls for other
statutory requirements under the Radioactive functions. Manual controls provided for other
functions should not affect the operation of the fire
Substances Act, 1960, for the storage, transport, use
alarm system.
and disposal of radioactive materials, and under the
Ionizing Radiations Regulations, 1985, employers F.5 Time-related systems
are required, amongst other things, to notify the Where means are provided to vary the response of
Health and Safety Executive where apparatus systems at different times of day, care should be
containing certain specified amounts of radioactive taken that no undesirable interaction occurs
substances are used. In general, the amount of between the fire alarm response and that of other
radioactivity from ionization chamber smoke systems. Where means are provided for delaying or
detectors is small, and no notification or registration changing responses from systems (e.g. so as to
under legislation is required for installed smoke prevent false alarms), any effect on the fire alarm
detectors where the source is closed, contains only system should be fully considered.
americium-241, has an activity not exceeding 4 MBq F.6 False alarms
and gives a dose rate less than 1 µSv·h–1 at 100 mm
from any accessible surface on the detector. Care should be taken that the integration of
different systems does not lead to an increase in the
Information on the requirements applicable to a

specific detector can be obtained from the number of fault warnings or false alarms. In
manufacturer or supplier, from the Health and particular, facilities for servicing and testing of
Safety Executive, or from the National Radiological systems should be considered.
Protection Board4). F.7 Signals to remote manned centres
Where signals to a remote manned centre are
Appendix F Fire alarm systems transmitted over a single link, care should be taken
integrated with other systems that faults affecting the fire alarm system can be
separately identified. Faults affecting more than
F.1 General
one system should be shown as such.
Although this part of BS 5839 does not cover fire
alarm systems integrated with systems for other F.8 Power supplies
purposes, such systems should generally comply Where the power supply to the fire alarm system is
with its recommendations, and with the guidance also used to supply power for other functions, the
given in this appendix. capacity of the power supply should satisfy the
recommendations of this part of BS 5839 for the fire
F.2 Priorities
alarm system in the presence of the maximum
In general, priorities within the system should not demand from all the other systems sharing that
allow fire alarms to be prevented or delayed by the supply. Excessive power demands due to faults on
state of any other function. Any other order of other systems should not reduce the capacity
priority should only be adopted following available to the fire alarm below the
consultations between all interested parties. Any recommendations of this part of BS 5839.
interactions between system outputs should be
F.9 Faults
clearly defined.
F.3 Sounders Faults in other functions should not affect the
response of the system to fire. Multiple faults in
The alarm sound following a fire alarm should be another function need not be considered if a single
distinct from any other alarm sound given by the fault in the other function is indicated as a potential
system, although common sounders may be used. fault on the fire alarm system, and would not
Where control sounders are used, they should be immediately affect the response of the fire alarm
such that no confusion might arise from sounders system.
used for other functions.
F.10 Multiplexed conductors
Conductors may be used to carry signals for more
than one function. Failure of the multiplexing
system should be indicated as a fault on the fire
alarm system if that system is affected.
4) National Radiological Protection Board, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ.
64 © BSI 10-1998
Appendix G BS 5839-1:1988
F.11 Interconnections G.4 Silencing

Interconnections essential to the operation of the A manual operation should be required to silence
fire alarm system should be protected as the alarm; the alarm should not be automatically
recommended in clause 17. silenced or cancelled. A clearly labelled facility
F.12 Segregation of cables should be provided for manually restarting the
alarm. The operation of silencing the alarms should
Cables carrying fire alarm signals (even where
result in an audible signal being given by the
multiplexed with other signals) should be
indicating equipment until the fire alarm is reset or
segregated from other cables as recommended
is resounded. This audible signal (which may be the
in 17.10.
same as that for fault warning) should be different
F.13 Siting of control and indicating panels from that of any alarm sounder used to give the
Fire alarm control and indicating panels should be alarm of fire.
sited as recommended in this part of BS 5839 and G.5 Priorities
not be dependent on the siting of panels for other
An alarm of fire should not be inhibited or delayed
purposes.
by any other indication that the equipment may be
F.14 Commissioning and servicing giving, e.g. a fault warning.
All personnel concerned with commissioning or G.6 Resetting
servicing any part of the system which might affect
The visible indication of item b) of G.2 and either
the fire alarm function should be properly trained.
the supply of power of item a) of G.2 or the audible
F.15 Extensions or alterations signal of G.4 should persist until the system is
Care should be taken that extensions or alterations manually reset at the control equipment. Resetting
to the system do not adversely affect the fire alarm should be by the operation of a biased switch or
system either during or subsequent to the work. other device fulfilling the same function.
F.16 Isolation G.7 Power supplies
The fire alarm system should not be adversely The power supplies should be in accordance with
affected by provisions made for the isolation of other one of the following methods, which are given in
parts of the system. order of preference.
a) Normal and standby supplies complying
Appendix G Control equipment and with 5.2 of BS 5839-4:1988.
power supplies for small manual b) Normal supply derived from the public
systems (type M) electricity mains and a standby primary battery.
G.1 General Each supply should be independently capable of
meeting the maximum load likely to be placed on
This appendix covers the functional
the system. Provision should be made for
recommendations for single zone control equipment
automatic change-over to and from the standby
for small manual systems; such equipment should
supply on failure and recovery of the normal
meet all the recommendations given in G.2 to G.11.
supply. A fault warning should be given in the
G.2 Indications of fire event of failure of the normal supply. Since
The operation of one or more manual call points failure of the normal supply will cause an
should result in the following: indeterminate and irrecoverable loss of capacity
a) power being supplied to an alarm sounder from the standby primary battery, this warning
circuit; should continue after recovery of the normal
supply until manually reset. An automatic
b) the illumination of a red visible indication
audible fault warning should be given for a period
clearly labelled with the word “FIRE”.
of at least 24 h before the battery capacity falls to
G.3 Time delays a point where it is unable to provide the alarm.
The indications of G.2 should be given within 1 s of c) Normal supply derived from the public
the operation of a manual call point. electricity mains without standby supply.
© BSI 10-1998 65
BS 5839-1:1988 Appendix G
d) Normal supply from a primary battery with a G.9 Visual indicators

second unused primary battery held in reserve. G.9.1 The operation or failure of one indicator
An automatic audible fault warning should be should not prevent the proper and separate
given for a period of at least 24 h before the operation of any other indicator.
capacity of the primary battery used for the
G.9.2 The operation of any sounder or alarm circuit
normal supply falls to a point where it is unable
should not be prevented by any visual indicator
to sustain the maximum alarm load for a period
defect and should not depend on the operation of any
of 5 min. If an automatic device is provided to
indicator.
transfer the supply to the reserve battery, then a
suitable warning should be given after each G.10 Manual controls
transfer to draw the attention of the user to the G.10.1 Labelling and spacing
need to replace the exhausted battery. The initial All manual controls should be clearly labelled to
rated capacity of each battery should be such that indicate their functions and should be so arranged
it is able to supply the quiescent load of the as to reduce the risk of inadvertent operation.
system for 90 days, after which sufficient capacity
G.10.2 Security
should remain to sustain the maximum alarm
load of the system for at least 30 min. The operation of all manual controls, isolating
e) A single primary battery capable of supplying devices and control circuits should be limited to
the quiescent load of the system together with the authorized personnel. The limitation should be
achieved by the use of a lock, key-operated switch, or
additional load imposed by the recommended
keyboard-entered code, except that limitation by

weekly testing routine, preferably for a period of
keyed code should not be applied to controls which
a year but at least for 90 days. An automatic
may need to be operated during a fire.
audible fault warning should be given for a period
of at least 24 h before the battery capacity falls to G.11 Marking
a point where it is unable to sustain the rated If control equipment and power supplies for small
alarm load for 5 min. manual systems meeting all the recommendations
G.8 Indication of power supply of G.2 to G.10 are marked with a reference to this
part of BS 5839, they should be marked
A green visible indication should be provided when
“BS 5839-1:1988: Appendix G”.
the normal power supply is operating; this
indication should be extinguished if both normal Equipment not meeting all the recommendations
and standby supplies fail. (This indication may, but of G.2 to G.10 should not be marked with any
need not, be provided if the normal supply has failed reference to BS 5839-1.
and the system is operating from the standby
supply.)
66 © BSI 10-1998
Appendix H BS 5839-1:1988
Appendix H Smoke alarms in the home

This appendix consists of the text of booklet FB2 “Smoke Alarms in the Home”, 1988, reproduced by
permission of the Home Departments.
NOTE Copies of this and other fire safety literature produced by the Home Office/Scottish Home and Health
Department/Northern Ireland Office are available from local fire authorities.
© BSI 10-1998 67
BS 5839-1:1988 Appendix H
THE NEED FOR EARLY DETECTION Research has shown that ionization smoke alarms
OF FIRES are often a little bit quicker to react to hot blazing
fires than optical smoke alarms. On the other hand,
No one should underrate the danger of fire. Every
optical smoke alarms seem to be better at detecting
year, nearly 60,000 fires occur in the home in this
smouldering fires of the sort that might be started
country alone, killing about 700 people and injuring
by a cigarette having fallen down the back of a sofa
over 7,000 others. A lot of these deaths and injuries
or chair (as shown at the beginning of this leaflet).
might have been prevented if only the people
There isn’t a lot to choose between the two types of
involved had been able to escape before it was too
smoke alarm but if you are concerned about
late. This is where smoke alarms can help. They
smouldering fires you should make sure that you
won’t stop fires starting and they can’t put them out
buy an optical type.
but if they are properly installed and looked after
NOTE Some smoke alarms on the market combine both optical
they can give you an early warning of fire and and ionization devices in a single unit. These “dual” detectors can
increase your chances of escape. give you a better all round performance if the two devices have
The longer a fire burns before it is discovered the been connected in such a way that only one needs to trigger before
the alarm sounds (usually a piercing, high-pitched, continuous
more likely it is to cause death or injury. So a fire bleep). If in doubt consult your supplier or fire brigade.
which starts smouldering at night when you and
your family are asleep is very dangerous indeed. In
SMOKE ALARMS CAN BE POWERED
fact a night-time fire is nearly three times as likely • by batteries in the unit
to kill as one during the day.
• from the mains electrical supply
Some people think that the smell of smoke would
wake them up. It might do. But there again it might • from the mains, but with a standby battery so
not. And if the fire involves modern furnishings it that alarms will operate even if the mains
could well be producing poisonous gases which will supply fails.
make sure that you never wake up. Even if the
The last of these is the most reliable method. The
smoke did wake you up you could well find your way
first method (which probably accounts for the
out blocked by thick choking smoke.
majority of devices readily available on the domestic
TYPES OF DETECTOR market) is acceptable provided you are prepared to
There are two main types of fire detector on the look after the equipment properly. The second
market method is also acceptable if your mains electrical
supply is reliable.
Heat detectors
These react to increasing temperature. If you choose a smoke alarm powered
Smoke alarms
by battery alone
These warn of fire by reacting to smoke and fumes Remember to change the battery at least
drifting from the fire. once a year or sooner if your model gives its
Smoke alarms will give you an earlier warning of special low battery signal (usually an
most fires. Although heat detectors have their uses, intermittent electronic bleeping sound).
they can’t detect lethal amounts of smoke and Remember to check that your smoke alarm
poisonous gas and they need to get hot before they is working when you’ve been away from
can operate. Smoke alarms are therefore far better home for more than a few days (you might
for use in the home. have missed the low battery signal).
CHOOSING A SMOKE ALARM
If you choose a smoke alarm powered from the
DOMESTIC SMOKE ALARMS COME IN TWO mains
BASIC TYPES
Have it fitted by a competent electrician.
– ionization smoke alarms
These work by measuring the reduction of an Make sure that the mains supply is
electrical current when smoke particles enter a permanently connected and can’t be
special chamber.
switched off by mistake.
– optical smoke alarms
Don’t use extension cables to reach a
These contain a small photoelectric cell which distant socket or try to fix a cable from a
triggers the alarm when the beam is disturbed by lamp or adaptor.
smoke.
68 © BSI 10-1998
BUY WISELY If you can afford only one or two smoke alarms, try
this simple test. Decide on the quickest and safest
Whatever type or make of smoke alarm you buy,
route you and your family would use to escape
make sure it meets British Standards and has the
BS number BS 5446-1 on it. If the smoke alarm has through the house from a fire which started in your
the Kite Mark on it too, so much the better.5) living room at night. Now get someone to stand
holding a smoke alarm on that route as close to the
living room door as possible but not more than ten
paces away from any other door to living
accommodation or the kitchen. Ask them to wait for
a few minutes and then start the alarm (the maker’s
instructions should tell you how to do this). In the
meantime close your bedroom door, set a radio to a
reasonably loud conversation level and lie on your
bed. Can you hear the alarm? If you can’t hear it
over your radio the chances are that it wouldn’t
wake you. To make sure you are woken up you need
extra detection and alarm facilities and the simplest
way of doing this is to link another smoke alarm to
IS ONE SMOKE ALARM ENOUGH? the first, putting one in the best position to detect
In many ways this is a more important question the fire and the other in the best position to be
than which kind of smoke alarm to buy. In order to heard. In this way if one smoke alarm senses smoke
do its job properly a smoke alarm needs to be close both will sound an alarm and provide a louder
enough to the fire to respond quickly but in a warning. Linking a battery model should be a
position where its alarm can be heard throughout simple operation for an electrician or reasonably
your home and is able to wake you and your competent DIY householder but the maker’s
family – in time for you all to escape. A single instructions should be followed carefully.
smoke alarm will give some protection if it is Even if you install only one smoke alarm to start
properly installed (see the next section on where to with, it is worth thinking about buying a model
place your smoke alarms) but obviously two or more which can be linked to others. Then, when you can
offer more reliable early warning than one and are afford to buy more smoke alarms or when
more likely to provide an adequate amount of time circumstances change, such as the addition of young
for you all to escape. For maximum protection children to the family, more smoke alarms can
you should put individual smoke alarms in all the easily be added and linked to the first.
rooms where fire is most likely to break out. NOTE Not all self-contained smoke alarms are suitable for
linking with others and you should check with your supplier that
the one you are buying is suitable for linking in this way.
WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE FOR
SMOKE ALARMS?
This depends on the size and layout of your home
and where you and your family sleep. The most
critical requirement for the positioning of a single
smoke alarm is to choose a spot between the
sleeping area(s) and the most likely sources of fire
(living room or kitchen). But it shouldn’t be more
than about 10 paces (seven metres) from the door to
any room where a fire might start and block your
escape from the house.
5) There is also a British Standard Code of Practice covering the installation and servicing of fire detection and alarm systems in
buildings – BS 5839-1. This Code of Practice is mainly intended for hotels, factories and the like, but it can cover private houses
as well. If your home is large (see page 3) or if you want your fire alarm system to contact the fire brigade automatically it is
strongly recommended that you follow the Code of Practice.
© BSI 10-1998 69
BS 5839-1:1988 Appendix H
If your home is on one level (a bungalow or If you’re putting in several smoke alarms and
mobile home for example) you should put your you’ve put one (or two) between the sleeping area(s)
smoke alarm in a corridor or hallway between the and living accommodation as described above, you
sleeping and living accommodation. Place it as near should put the other smoke alarms in the individual
to the living accommodation as possible but make rooms where fire is most likely to occur. The living
sure you can hear it loudly enough to wake you in room is the most likely place for a fire to start at
the bedroom. night, then the kitchen (although it’s not
recommended to put smoke alarms in kitchens – put
one outside the cooking area instead) and lastly the
dining room. You should also consider putting
smoke alarms in any bedrooms where fires might be
likely to start, for instance, where there is an
electrical appliance such as an electric blanket or an
electric heater, or where the occupant is a smoker.
You could also consider putting smoke alarms in
any rooms where the occupant may not be able to
respond very well to a fire starting in the room, such
as an elderly or sick person or a very young child.
Where there are rooms (other than a bathroom or

WC) on either side of a bedroom, a single smoke
alarm should be sited on the ceiling in the hall or
corridor midway between the doors to those rooms.
NOTE If your bungalow is very large and the corridor or hallway
is more than, say, 22 paces (15 metres) long, one smoke alarm
may not be enough and you should consult your local fire brigade.
If your home is on more than one level the best
place for a single smoke alarm is in the hallway
above the bottom of the staircase. This is because
smoke is likely to be detectable in the hallway before
it reaches the upstairs landing and bedrooms. But if
you can’t hear the alarm properly in the bedrooms
(try the test described earlier) you’ll need to link
another smoke alarm on the landing. It is a good
idea to do this anyway because smoke from a fire in
a bedroom upstairs is unlikely to be detected by a
smoke alarm downstairs.
70 © BSI 10-1998
SOME DOS AND DON’TS ON POSITIONING SMOKE ALARMS
Do make sure your smoke alarm is fixed on Don’t put your smoke alarm in
the ceiling at least 30 cm (12 inches) from any bathrooms, shower rooms or in cooking
wall or light fitting. A central position is best. areas or garages where the smoke alarm
If it’s designed for wall mounting, put it may be triggered by steam, condensation
between 15 and 30 cm (6 and 12 inches) below or fumes.
the ceiling.
Do put your smoke alarm where you will be Don’t put your smoke alarm next to or
able to reach it fairly easily – and safely – for directly above heaters or air conditioning
regular testing and maintenance; not above vents.
stairwells, for example.
Don’t put your smoke alarm in any room Don’t fix your smoke alarm to surfaces
which tends to get very hot (a boiler room for which are normally much warmer or
example) or very cold (an unheated outhouse). colder than the rest of the room. These
can include uninsulated exterior walls
and ceilings (temperature differences
might stop smoke from reaching it).
LOOKING AFTER YOUR SMOKE WHAT TO DO WHEN THE ALARM

ALARM GOES OFF...
All smoke alarms need to be checked regularly to • Alert the household and get everyone out by
make sure they are in good working order. First you the safest route. If you have to go through a
should make sure that the smoke alarm is powered smoke-filled area crawl with your head low.
(see under “Choosing a smoke alarm”). Then you
need to make sure that your smoke alarm will sense • If it’s safe to do so, shut doors and windows to
smoke properly. A smoke alarm which has been help reduce draughts that could fan the fire. Feel
made to the British Standard should come with each door before opening it – if it is warm or if
instructions on how to do this. One test is to allow smoke is coming through don’t open it – it
the smoke from a joss-stick or newly-extinguished could be protecting you from a dangerous
taper to drift up to the smoke alarm from smouldering fire.
immediately below it. As soon as the alarm sounds, • Alert the neighbours and call the fire brigade
fan the smoke away vigorously to silence it. You as soon as possible (don’t leave it to somebody
should give your smoke alarm a proper test once a else) giving the full address of the fire.
month. • Make sure everyone stays outside the house
For periodic maintenance and servicing, follow the until the fire brigade arrives and tells you it’s
maker’s instructions. safe to go back in. Possessions are replaceable –
BE PREPARED people are not.
If you have followed the advice in this booklet you WHAT ABOUT FALSE ALARMS?
should have a smoke alarm system which is capable If, when the alarm goes off, there is no sign of smoke
of giving you and your family warning of a fire or heat or noise to indicate that there is a fire you
before it spreads. This will give you a better chance should get your family into a place from where
of escaping unharmed. The amount of warning will escape is easy before you start investigating. If
obviously depend on the fire, the equipment you you feel any signs of heat at the top of any door
have chosen and how well you have looked after it. don’t open it. If the alarm has gone off without
However, you may only have a few minutes to apparent cause it may be an indication that the
escape so it pays to have made an escape plan in battery in the smoke alarm needs replacing. Other
advance. Everyone, including children, should know causes of false alarms are fumes, steam, dust and
what to do in case of a real fire. even small insects inside the detector chamber.
• Practise walking along your main escape route
with your family. You may all have to do it in
the dark under very unpleasant conditions.
• Plan other safe ways of escaping from your
home if your main route was blocked by fire or
smoke.
© BSI 10-1998 71
BS 5839-1:1988 Appendix J
NOW... J.2 Systems for property protection (type P)

Read the booklet Your Home Fire Safety Guide In addition to the clauses common to all types of
(available from your local fire brigade). It contains a system, the following clauses and subclauses are
lot of useful information on how to prevent fires applicable to systems for property protection:
happening. Make sure in particular that every a) type of system: see 3.2;
member of your family understands the need to b) general design considerations: see 6.2;
keep downstairs doors shut at night. There is also a
companion booklet Fire Extinguishers for the Home c) audible and visual alarms: see 9.2;
available. d) detector spacing and siting: see clause 12;
e) power supplies: see 16.5.2.
Appendix J Guide to J.3 Systems for the protection of life (type L)
recommendations applicable to
In addition to the clauses common to all types of
specific types of system system, the following clauses and subclauses are
J.1 General applicable to systems for the protection of life:
Most of the recommendations of this part of BS 5839 a) type of system: see 3.3;
are relevant to all types of system. This appendix is b) general design considerations: see 6.3;
intended to provide a guide to those
c) audible and visual alarms: see 9.3;
recommendations which are appropriate only to
certain types of system. d) detector spacing and siting: see clause 13;
The following clauses are relevant to the design and e) power supplies: see 16.5.1.
installation of all types of system: J.4 Manual alarm systems (type M)
a) scope (clause 1); In addition to the clauses common to all types of
b) definitions (clause 2); system, the following subclauses are applicable to
manual alarm systems:
c) exchange of information (clause 4);
a) type of system: see 3.3;
d) planning schedule (clause 5);
b) general design considerations: see 6.3;
e) zones (clause 7);
c) audible and visual alarms: see 9.3;
f) communications with the fire brigade
(clause 8); d) control equipment: see 15.2.2 and appendix G;
g) manual call points (clause 10); e) power supplies: see 16.6.
h) types of detector (clause 11); J.5 Multi-occupancy buildings (X)
i) false alarms (clause 14); In addition to the clauses common to all types of
system, the following subclauses are applicable to
j) control and indicating equipment (clause 15);
multi-occupancy buildings:
k) cables, wiring and other interconnections
a) type of system: see 3.5;
(clause 17);
b) exchange of information: see 4.4;
l) radio-linked systems (clause 18);
c) siting of control equipment: see 15.3.6;
m) ancillary services (clause 19);
d) power supplies: see 16.7.3.
n) radio and electrical interference (clause 20);
The following subclauses include recommendations
o) workmanship, installation and commissioning
for systems which are to be installed in buildings in
(clauses 21 to 27);
multiple occupation:
p) user responsibilities (clauses 28 and 29).
1) communication with the fire brigade: see 8.1;
The following clauses are applicable to only some
2) audible and visual alarms: see 9.1.
types of system, or are divided into subclauses
applicable to only some types of system:
1) types of system (clause 3);
2) general design considerations (clause 6);
3) audible and visual alarms (clause 9);
4) application, choice and siting of detectors
(clauses 12 and 13);
5) power supplies (clause 16).
72 © BSI 10-1998
Appendix K BS 5839-1:1988
Appendix K The uses of staged alarm K.2 Conditions in which staged alarm systems
systems can be used
Staged alarm systems may be found convenient in a
K.1 Staged alarms and phased evacuation
wide range of applications. Four such applications
In the past, the terms “staged alarms” and “phased are as follows.
evacuation” (particularly “two-stage alarm” and
a) Premises in which only a restricted part will be
“two-phase evacuation”) have frequently been
at risk from a fire, although alert signals or staff
confused. In the context of this standard, “staged
alarms may be necessary in some other parts. For
alarms” refer to the stages of alarm (hidden staff
example, the premises could consist of a range of
alarm, general alert signal, evacuation alarm, etc.)
which can be given in a particular area, and “phased separate buildings using a common alarm
evacuation” refers to the evacuation of the premises system; an evacuation signal could be given in
one building while staff alarms in other buildings
in a controlled sequence of phases.
alert a works fire brigade.
Although staged alarms are usually given by alarm
b) Premises in which phased evacuation is to be
devices of various types (e.g. coloured lights or
used.
“bleepers” for a staff alarm, intermittent sounds for
an alert signal and continuous sounds for the c) Premises in which staff away from the fire area
evacuation signal), it is possible for the same are required to perform certain functions (such as
functions to be performed by a public address shut-down procedures) before leaving the
system. In this case the staff alarm could be given by building.
a “coded” message and the alert and evacuation d) Premises in which the fire procedure allows for
signals could be given as “plain language” messages. the investigation of alarms from automatic fire
In some cases the use of voice messages may be detectors prior to the initiation of evacuation. In
considered as giving a greater degree of control some premises the increased risk due to the
while simultaneously allowing the transfer of better delays associated with such a procedure might be
information. acceptable in return for a reduction in the
The use of phased evacuation implies at least one inconvenience due to an unduly high frequency of
phase in which people near the fire are warned to false alarms (see 14.6).
evacuate their area while people further from the
fire are only alerted. Thus in the simplest type of
phased evacuation the first phase is of movement
only of people at immediate risk, while the second
phase is of evacuation of the remainder of the
premises. Such a type has sometimes been referred
to as a “two-stage system”, but this is now
deprecated because of the possible confusion with
“two-stage alarms”. A more complex type of phased
evacuation (common in large office buildings)
involves a greater number of phases of evacuation,
possibly depending on the height of the building, the
available stairs and the fire separation within the
building.
© BSI 10-1998 73
BS 5839-1:1988
Publications referred to
BS 476, Fire tests on building materials and structures.

BS 800, Specification for limits and methods of measurement of radio interference characteristics of
household electrical appliances, portable tools and similar electrical apparatus.
BS 1635, Graphical symbols and abbreviations for fire protection drawings.
BS 2316, Specification for radio-frequency cables.
BS 2316-3, Cable data sheets (metric and imperial units).
BS 3116, Specification for automatic fire alarm systems in buildings.
BS 3116-4, Control and indicating equipment6).
BS 4678, Cable trunking.
BS 4678-4, Specification for cable trunking made of insulating material.
BS 4683, Specification for electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres.
BS 5306, Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises.
BS 5306-1, Hydrant systems, hose reels and foam inlets.
BS 5306-3, Code of practice for selection, installation and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers.
BS 5345, Code of practice for the selection, installation and maintenance of electrical apparatus for use in
potentially explosive atmospheres (other than mining applications or explosive processing and
manufacture).
BS 5445, Components of automatic fire detection systems.

BS 5445-5, Heat sensitive detectors – point detectors containing a static element.
BS 5445-7, Specification for point-type smoke detectors using scattered light, transmitted light or ionization.
BS 5445-8, Specification for high temperature heat detectors.
BS 5446, Specification for components of automatic fire alarm systems for residential premises.
BS 5446-1, Point-type smoke detectors.
BS 5467, Specification for cables with thermosetting insulation for electricity supply for rated voltages of up
to and including 600/1000 V and up to and including 1900/3300 V.
BS 5501, Electrical apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres.
BS 5588, Fire precautions in the design and construction of buildings.
BS 5750, Quality systems.
BS 5839, Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings.
BS 5839-2, Specification for manual call points.
BS 5839-3, Specification for automatic release mechanisms for certain fire protection equipment7).
BS 5839-4, Specification for control and indicating equipment.
BS 5839-5, Specification for optical beam smoke detectors.
BS 5969, Specification for sound level meters.
BS 6004, Specification for PVC-insulated cables (non-armoured) for electric power and lighting.
BS 6007, Specification for rubber-insulated cables for electric power and lighting.
BS 6099, Conduits for electrical installations.
BS 6099-2.2, Specification for rigid plain conduits of insulating material.
BS 6132, Code of practice for safe operation of alkaline secondary cells and batteries.
BS 6133, Code of practice for safe operation of lead-acid stationary cells and batteries.
BS 6207, Specification for mineral-insulated copper sheathed cables with copper conductors.
BS 6231, Specification for PVC-insulated cables for switchgear and controlgear wiring.
BS 6259, Code of practice for planning and installation of sound systems.
BS 6266, Code of practice for fire protection of electronic data processing installations.
BS 6346, Specification for PVC-insulated cables for electricity supply.
6)
Withdrawn, superseded by BS 5839-4.
7)
Referred to in the foreword only.
© BSI 10-1998
74
BS 5839-1:1988
BS 6387, Specification for performance requirements for cables required to maintain circuit integrity under
fire conditions.
BS 6467, Electrical apparatus with protection by enclosure for use in the presence of combustible dusts.
BS 6651, Code of practice for protection of structures against lightning.
BS 6701, Code of practice for installation of apparatus intended for connection to certain
telecommunications systems.
BS 6701-1, General recommendations.
BS 6724, Specification for armoured cables for electricity supply having thermosetting insulation with low
emission of smoke and corrosive gases when affected by fire.
BS 6746, Specification for PVC insulation and sheath of electric cables.
BS 7629, Specification for thermosetting insulated cables with limited circuit integrity when affected by fire.
BS 8313, Code of practice for accommodation of building services in ducts.
CP 1003, Electrical apparatus and associated equipment for use in explosive atmospheres of gas or vapour
other than mining applications.
IEE Wiring Regulations, Regulations for electrical installations, Institution of Electrical Engineers8).
8)
Obtainable from the Institution of Electrical Engineers, Savoy Place, Victoria Embankment, London WC2R 0BL.
© BSI 10-1998
BS 5839-1:
1988
BSI — British Standards Institution
BSI is the independent national body responsible for preparing
British Standards. It presents the UK view on standards in Europe and at the
international level. It is incorporated by Royal Charter.
Revisions
British Standards are updated by amendment or revision. Users of

British Standards should make sure that they possess the latest amendments or
editions.
It is the constant aim of BSI to improve the quality of our products and services.
We would be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using
this British Standard would inform the Secretary of the technical committee
responsible, the identity of which can be found on the inside front cover.
Tel: 020 8996 9000. Fax: 020 8996 7400.
BSI offers members an individual updating service called PLUS which ensures
that subscribers automatically receive the latest editions of standards.
Buying standards
Orders for all BSI, international and foreign standards publications should be
addressed to Customer Services. Tel: 020 8996 9001. Fax: 020 8996 7001.
In response to orders for international standards, it is BSI policy to supply the

BSI implementation of those that have been published as British Standards,

unless otherwise requested.
Information on standards
BSI provides a wide range of information on national, European and

international standards through its Library and its Technical Help to Exporters
Service. Various BSI electronic information services are also available which give
details on all its products and services. Contact the Information Centre.
Tel: 020 8996 7111. Fax: 020 8996 7048.
Subscribing members of BSI are kept up to date with standards developments

and receive substantial discounts on the purchase price of standards. For details
of these and other benefits contact Membership Administration.
Tel: 020 8996 7002. Fax: 020 8996 7001.
Copyright
Copyright subsists in all BSI publications. BSI also holds the copyright, in the
UK, of the publications of the international standardization bodies. Except as
permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 no extract may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means – electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without prior written
permission from BSI.
This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the standard,
of necessary details such as symbols, and size, type or grade designations. If these
details are to be used for any other purpose than implementation then the prior
written permission of BSI must be obtained.
If permission is granted, the terms may include royalty payments or a licensing

agreement. Details and advice can be obtained from the Copyright Manager.
Tel: 020 8996 7070.
BSI
389 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 4AL

BS-5839-1 - 1998 - Fire Detection

Uploaded by

Document Informationclick to expand document information

Copyright:

Available Formats

BS-5839-1 - 1998 - Fire Detection

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

BS-5839-1 - 1998 - Fire Detection

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

BRITISH STANDARD BS 5839-1:

Fire detection and

Committees responsible for this

British Fire Protection Systems Association Ltd.

Fire Insurers’ Research and Testing Organization (FIRTO)

This British Standard, having

6317 January 1991

ISBN 0 580 16559 0

b) Recommendations have been included to cover systems utilizing recent

© BSI 10-1998 iii

This part of BS 5839 does not cover systems 2.4

c) two-state detector a detector which gives one 2.13

mimic diagram smoke

2.21 Type L systems are automatic detection systems

type P1: systems installed throughout the

However, in smaller, single-family, dwellings the 4 Exchange of information

In particular, if the preferred mode of evacuation of 4.4 Multi-occupancy buildings (X)

Section 2. Design considerations

6 General In some premises the probable rate of spread of fire

property protection, or a combination of both.

manufacturer and a control and indicating operation to be provided in the vicinity of a

6) the degree of stabilization; 6.9 Programme controlled systems

6.10 Pre-alarm warnings 7 Zones

does not interfere with telephone speech.

misinterpretation however well drilled fire-fighting

travel distances to a call point much less than 30 m

reduced when smoke particles enter the chamber. lenses or reflectors.

Flame detectors are particularly suited to outside

for heat detectors or 600 mm for smoke detectors)

BS 5839-5 shafts for lifts, hoists or escalators penetrate

structural features, may necessitate the installation

A clear line-of-sight to the area being protected is 13.2 Automatic detection

route protection (see 13.5).

13.7 Type L1 systems: total coverage 14.2 Heat detectors

14.4 Flame detectors 14.6 Time related systems

b) hotels, boarding houses and other residential

equipment, particularly that indicating the zone

On or adjacent to the control and indicating

16 Power supplies 16.2 Connection of a fire alarm system to a

16.3 Types of power supply building cannot continue unless a supply is

b) Applications in which prolonged operation

similar system components, should be enclosed in

Section 3. Workmanship, installation and

3) In preparation (revision of CP 413).

24.4.3 Joints in cables. Joints in cables, other than 25.4 Radioactivity

Cells of secondary batteries should be fitted and

26.5 Commissioning test environmental conditions more severe than those

Changes to the system that might affect its response

Section 4. User responsibilities

28 General c) Dates and times of all alarms (genuine,

great assistance in tracing and correcting system

automatically started emergency generator is used

further check for damage to the system,

29.4 Detectors in which the detector is itself coded. False

Appendix A Automatic connection to c) Some companies provide local “collectors” to

Where the alarm is sent to a remote manned centre

Appendix B Model certificate of installation and commissioning of a fire alarm