BS 5839-6:2004 is the main standard for domestic standard for domestic fire alarm systems. It tells you everything you need to know about design, installation, testing and maintenance.

• Building Regulations refer to this standard
• Local Authorities, Housing Associations and Private Landlords have a “Duty of Care” to their tenants to fit to this standard
• Some electrical bodies (e.g. NAPIT  and the NICEIC) say to fit to this standard

Building Regs tells you the minimum you need to fit in new build and materially altered (e.g. loft conversions, extensions etc.) properties only.

• There are different Building Regs for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
• A Building Control Officer will be looking for an alarm system to this standard (as a minimum) before signing off on the property
• Building Regs say to follow BS 5839-6 so if in doubt, follow this standard and you should be covered

The Alarm Selector will tell you what to fit to meet each of the above standards.

BS 5839-6:2004 is the main standard for domestic standard for domestic fire alarm systems. It tells you everything you need to know about design, installation, testing and maintenance.

• Building Regulations refer to this standard
• Local Authorities, Housing Associations and Private Landlords have a “Duty of Care” to their tenants to fit to this standard
• Some electrical bodies (e.g. NAPIT and the NICEIC) say to fit to this standard

BUNGALOW

HOUSE 2-3 STOREY

HOUSE 4+ STOREY

ALARMS TO FIT

ALARMS TO FIT

ALARMS TO FIT

GRADE: D CATEGORY: LD2

GRADE: D CATEGORY: LD2

GRADE: D CATEGORY: LD2

ALARM SERIES YOU CAN USE

ALARM SERIES YOU CAN USE

ALARM SERIES YOU CAN USE

2100 Series

2100 Series

Please call our Technical Department on 0870 758 4000 to discuss. Or, drop us a note using our help form and we'll call you!

160RC Series

160RC Series

140 Series

140 Series

HMO 1-2 STOREY

HMO 3+ STOREY

Communal Area

Individual Unit

ALARMS TO FIT

ALARMS TO FIT

ALARMS TO FIT

GRADE: D CATEGORY: LD2

GRADE: A CATEGORY: LD2

GRADE: D CATEGORY: LD2

ALARM SERIES YOU CAN USE

ALARM SERIES YOU CAN USE

ALARM SERIES YOU CAN USE

2100 Series

Please call our Technical Department on 0870 758 4000 to discuss. Or, drop us a note using our help form and we'll call you

2100 Series

160RC Series

160RC Series

140 Series

140 Series

Building Regs tells you the minimum you need to fit in new build and materially altered (e.g. loft conversions, extensions etc.) properties only.

• There are different Building Regs for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
• A Building Control Officer will be looking for an alarm system to this standard (as a minimum) before signing off on the property
• Building Regs say to follow BS 5839-6 so if in doubt, follow this standard and you should be covered

BUNGALOW

HOUSE 2-3 STOREY

ALARMS TO FIT

ALARMS TO FIT

GRADE: D CATEGORY: LD3

GRADE: D CATEGORY: LD3

ALARM SERIES YOU CAN USE

ALARM SERIES YOU CAN USE

2100 Series

2100 Series

160RC Series

160RC Series

140 Series

140 Series

BUNGALOW

HOUSE 2-3 STOREY

ALARMS TO FIT

ALARMS TO FIT

GRADE: D CATEGORY: LD2

GRADE: D CATEGORY: LD2

ALARM SERIES YOU CAN USE

ALARM SERIES YOU CAN USE

2100 Series

2100 Series

160RC Series

160RC Series

140 Series

140 Series

BS 5839-6:2004 recommends that alarms are fitted based on a Fire Risk Assessment. This Assessment should take into account the type of property and the people living in it.

Fire Risk Assessment is about looking at the probability of a fire starting and the harm that would be caused from that fire. Alarms should then be fitted to balance out this risk. Basically, the higher the risk, the more thorough the alarm system.

The design of the alarm system should be based on:

 1. Probability of fire occurring

Does anyone smoke? Any open fires? TV’s? Heaters?

2. Probability of injury/death to the people living in the property if fire occurs

Any elderly people? Narrow stairs? Number of storeys? Exits?

3. Probability of the system operating correctly at the time of fire

Are the alarms reliable? Do they have back-up power?

4. Probability of early detection and warning in the event of fire

How many alarms are fitted? Are they fitted where there is a risk of fire starting? Will everyone hear the alarm?

BS 5839-6 recommends that each room in a property is assessed for it’s own individual fire risk – fire statistics can help. Also, the lifestyles of the people living there should be taken into account (e.g. Do they smoke? Smouldering cigarettes can easily start a serious fire). The table below shows the fire statistics (from Fire Statistics United Kingdom published by the Government) to give guidance on the highest risks.

The Alarm Selector gives the standard recommendations of BS 5839-6 but remember, if in doubt always fit extra alarms.

For further information see BS 5839: Pt.6: 2004.

• Choose the right alarms for the job. Have a look at the Alarm Selector below to check which ones to fit
• Decide where to fit them. Are there any obstructions or sloped ceilings? Check the siting requirements
• Taking the supply from the lighting circuit?
  • Is there a permanent mains feed at the pendant?
  • Will the circuit take the additional load?
  • Anything that can cause noise or spikes (e.g. dimmer)?
  • Taking the supply from the distribution board?
  • Is there space on board?
  • Will the supply take the additional load?

• Which alarms are being replaced?
• Do any new alarms need fitting? Check using the Alarm Selector
• Can you hard-wire to the new alarms? To cut down on wiring, use RadioLINK bases
• Are the existing alarms sited in the right place? Check the 'Where do I site?' section
• Is there a mains feed to each existing alarm?
• Are existing alarms interconnected together?
• Will the new alarm hide the mark left on the ceiling by the old one? An Ei1516 masking plate could help

• Taking the supply from the lighting circuit? 

• • Is there a permanent mains feed at the pendant?
  • Will the circuit take the additional load?
  • Anything that can cause noise or spikes (e.g. dimmer)?

• Taking the supply from the distribution board? 

• • Is there space on the board?
  • Will the supply take the additional load?

Alarm Control Switches bring three alarm control functions to a wall switch:

TEST – Press to test alarms

LOCATE – Press to identify triggered alarm

SILENCE – Press to silence alarms

Available in hard-wired and RadioLINK wireless versions

Hard-wired Alarm Control Switch		RadioLINK Alarm Control Switch
	Ei1529RC		Ei411H
Wire anywhere in the system 3-core and earth connection		Completely wireless Battery powered (10 year life)

Recommended for HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) and blocks of flats.

Available in hard-wired and RadioLINK wireless versions

Hard-wired Call Point		RadioLINK Call Point
	MCP401RC		Ei407
Wire anywhere in the system 3-core and earth connection		Completely wireless Battery powered (10 year life)

Relays are used to switch an external device when the alarms are triggered, like:

• Strobe
• Sounder
• Magnetic Door Holder
• Window Vent
• Warden Call System

They contain Volt-free (or ‘clean’) relay contacts so can be wired up to switch a 230V mains device, a low Voltage device or just give a switched output.

Available in hard-wired and RadioLINK options:

Hard-wired Relay		RadioLINK Relay
	Ei128R		Ei428
Fits under alarms 3-core and earth connection Ei128RBU available with battery back-up		Site next to the device being switched Wireless interconnection Ei428SK available pre-wired for Warden Call

Here are some danger points to look out for:

• Poorly connected, blocked, cracked or corroded flue pipe/vent
• 'Back drafting' - where air is drawn back through appliances (e.g. by bathroom or kitchen air extraction fans)
• Cracked heat exchanger on gas heating system
• Appliances that don't have any flues/vents (e.g. gas cooker, portable heaters etc.)
• Not keeping up regular servicing of appliances

In England and Wales, Building Regulations Document J states that an alarm must be installed in any room/area containing a solid fuel appliance (e.g coal fire, wood burner), although any fuel burning appliance could be a potential source of CO.

The advice in this section is a guide. If you need further information, see the BS EN 50292:2002 standard.

Special alarms are available for deaf and hearing impaired people.

They have two main parts to them: Flashing Strobe Vibrating Pad for under a pillow If the alarm triggers the strobe flashes and the vibrating pad wakes the person up

There are also vibrating pagers that can be carried around.

Two parts - pager and transmitter Transmitter plugs into the strobe unit Both battery powered Can have more than one pager on a system

Smoke alarms can be connected to a sprinkler system so that if the sprinklers trigger, smoke alarms sound to warn of fire in other rooms. Use a Switched Input Module to connect to the sprinkler flow switch.

Hard-wired Switched Input Module		RadioLINK Switched Input Module
	Ei129		Ei408
Wire anywhere in the system 3-core and earth connection		Wireless interconnection with alarms Battery powered (10 year life)

When the sprinkler activates it triggers the module. A signal is then sent out from the module to activate the alarms.