Last month, we published an outline of changes to BS5839-1 relevant to nondomestic fire detection and alarm systems. On May 31, the British Standards Institute also updated its sibling standard: Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings, Part 6, code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises.
You may not have access to a copy of BS5839-6: 2013. If you’re wondering whether you need to buy it or whether to spend the money on a holiday (it’s not cheap), here’s a quick rundown of what’s covered.
What is it?
BS5839-6 is the standard to be adopted for any new or upgraded fire detection and fire alarm systems to be installed in domestic premises. The scope of the standard used to be focused on individual dwellings. In fact, the document was previously littered with the word “dwelling,” but in almost all instances, that word has been replaced by “premises.” The primary reason for this change is that the standard now covers sheltered housing premises, including the common parts.
Who should use it?
It’s quite a technical document, and it isn’t written for the lay person to interpret. It’s primarily aimed at architects, alarm system designers, installers, electricians, and other building professionals. Although it’s for domestic premises, many of which are exempt from fire risk assessment requirements, there’s value here for fire risk assessors who could be involved in assessments of communal areas in blocks of flats, sheltered housing, and houses of multiple occupation.
What has changed?
The new edition, which replaces BS5839-6: 2004, introduces a number of technical changes. With so many years between the versions, it’s no surprise that updates have been made throughout to cross-reference current standards and to remove outdated references. And even though it’s billed as a technical update (not a full review), there are some more significant changes.
As mentioned above, the inclusion of sheltered housing communal spaces and facilities has been a major source of additional advice within the document. A new clause (9.1.5) is dedicated to this topic and adds about two pages to the total. Also, there are tweaks and alterations throughout the standards to accommodate sheltered housing as a new subject. Detailed thought has gone into the arrangements that need to be made for automatic detection and the sounding of alarms. There are conflicting needs here:
- Not getting residents to evacuate unless it’s really needed
- Limiting the risk of false alarms
- Ensuring that the alarm is heard by everyone, including the hard of hearing
- Ensuring a rapid response from the fire and rescue service
New recommendations are included to ensure that, in sheltered housing, fire alarm signals transmitted to an alarm receiving centre via a social alarm system cannot be delayed by other alarm signals originating from the fire origin or elsewhere.
Addressable fire detection and fire alarm systems are recommended for sheltered housing, with connections between detectors within dwellings and common parts. Sounders or smoke alarms are recommended for the main bedroom of a sheltered flat or house to improve audibility.
Here are some more recommendations:
- A smoke detector, rather than a heat detector, is now recommended for the principal habitable room(s) of a new premises. (This is a U turn from the 2004 standard, which was quite explicit in its advice that heat detectors should be used in these rooms to avoid false alarms.) Carbon monoxide fire detectors can be used as an alternative in the principal habitable room(s), though only heat detectors should be used in kitchens.
- Table 1 has been slightly amended to change recommended categories of systems for different applications. For example, a Grade A system, rather than Grade B, is now expected for a four-storey house. (There’s no expectation to upgrade systems that complied with the previous standard.)
- Due to an increase in plant and electrical equipment installed within loft spaces (e.g., due to solar power), there’s additional advice on the provision of detection in these areas, including siting to avoid adverse impact on performance from the roof shape or structural beams.
- There’s new advice relating to systems in houses of multiple occupation, particularly in relation to power supply to alarms and detectors.
- The standard also includes clearer advice on warning systems for those who are deaf or suffer hearing loss.
- There is advice (also worth following) to check the particulars of alarm receiving centres. If you’re relying on third-party certification under BS5979 as proof of quality, you should check that the receipt of fire alarm signals is within the scope of that certification. It may not be, it seems.
Though the BSI states that this document isn’t the result of a full review, there are some significant and wide-ranging changes. If the standard is a key reference text for your business, it’s worth making sure you have the 2013 version.
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