Heat, Smoke & CO Alarms

Guide to Fire Protection Schemes

There have recently been some significant changes to the building regulations that relate to domestic fire protection, BS 5839-6:2019.

BS 5839-6 gives recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises that are:

Designed to accommodate a single family.
Houses with multiple occupation that comprise of a number of self-contained units, each designed to accommodate a single family.
Sheltered housing, including both the dwelling units and the common areas.

Grades B and E have now been made obsolete, whilst Grades D and F have now been split into Grades D1 / D2 / F1 / F2.

We have an offering to satisfy every domestic grade of fire protection

GRADE D1

A system of one or more mains powered detectors, each with a tamper proof standby supply consisting of a battery or batteries.

         

GRADE D2

A system of one or more mains powered detectors, each with an integral standby supply consisting of a user replacement battery or batteries.

              

GRADE F1

A system of one or more battery powered detectors, powered by a tamper proof primary battery or batteries.

 

GRADE F2

A system of one or more battery powered detectors, powered by a user replacement primary battery or batteries.

   

CATEGORIES OF FIRE PROTECTION

LD1 MAXIMUM PROTECTION

All areas where a fire could start

Alarms in all circulation spaces that form part of escape routes and all areas where a fire might start, such as hallway/landing, living room, kitchen, bedroom, airing/meter cupboards, loft extension and garage (not required in bathrooms,shower rooms or toilets.)

                 

LD2 MAXIMUM PROTECTION

Circulation spaces and high-risk rooms

Alarms in all circulation spaces that form part of escape routes and rooms or areas that present a high fire risk such as hallway/landing, living room and kitchen.

        

LD3 MAXIMUM PROTECTION

Escape routes only

Alarms in all circulation spaces that form part of escape routes such as hallway/landing.

  

KEY PROPERTY PROTECTION LEVELS

Owner Occupied New Build Property (2-3 storeys) GRADE D2 (LD2 PROTECTION)
Rented Property (New & Existing) GRADE D1 (LD2 PROTECTION)
Sheltered Housing (Existing) GRADE D2 (LD2 PROTECTION)
Sheltered Housing (New) GRADE D2 (LD1 PROTECTION)
House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) (1-2 Storeys) GRADE D1 (LD1 PROTECTION)