Fire detection and fire alarm systems are proven to substantially reduce the risk of death or serious injury from fire. The fire fatality rate is an estimated two to three times higher when no smoke detector is present and functioning than in those premises with adequate installations.

BSI, the business improvement company, has recently published the revised BS 5839-6:2019 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings - a code of practice for the design, commissioning, installation and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises1. It provides the latest recommendations for fire detection and fire alarm systems in both new and existing domestic premises in order to make them safer to live in.

The main revisions include:

Re-grading, and revision of statistics and recommendations

Updating guidance to take all other standards in the BS 5839 series into account

New table on testing and servicing by grade of alarm system

New recommendations for ensuring alarm signal transmission required within social care and sheltered housing settings function accordingly

Increased protection in sheltered housing and supported housing

New recommendation that communal fire alarm systems should not normally be installed in purpose built blocks of flats

Ant Burd, Head of Built Environment at BSI, said: “Fires in the home are one of the biggest threats occupants can face and therefore fire detection and alarm systems are a crucial fire safety component in helping make sure people can get out of their home safely. BS 5839-6 provides detailed guidance on the design and specification of fire detection and alarm systems in domestic and residential properties.”

The standard is aimed at architects, engineers and other building professionals, enforcing authorities, installers and others responsible for implementing fire precautions in domestic premises. It is not intended for occupiers, for who government advice is published. However, the standard does provide recommendations for simple systems that may be installed by non-specialist installers.