What is the standard about?

BS 5839-1 provides recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in and around non-domestic premises. 

Who is this standard for?

Anyone involved in the commissioning, installation, design and planning of fire alarm and detection systems will find this standard useful, including: 

- Head of Fire Engineering
- Commercial Manager
- Fire Consultant
- Fire Officer
- Fire & Safety Officer
- Managing Consultant
- Principal Fire Surveyor
- Senior H&S Manager
- Fire Safety Advisor

Why should you use this standard?

BS 5839-1 is referred to in both volumes of Approved Document B and thus underpins the recommendations given in those documents, essential for life safety.

What’s changed?

The revised standard takes into account the changes to other major fire safety standards including BS EN 54 series of standards for fire detection and fire alarm systems and BS 9999 for fire safety in commercial buildings. These changes will also reduce confusion in the marketplace around how to implement the recommendations given in BS 5839-1. 

The revised standard will also provide additional guidance for:

- The use of multi-sensor detectors
- The use of voice alarm systems
- Employees working at night time so they can recognise the alarms
- New technology for fire detectors
- Fire detection and fire alarm system inspections