Angus has been involved in developing and writing British and International Fire & Safety standards since the mid-1980s. The list of standards that he has participated in is impressive and includes BS5839-1, BS8629, EN54-18 and ISO7240-2. Angus utilises his extensive experience to provide an authoritative perspective on the key issues that affect the Fire & Security Industry today.
Fire Alarm System categories specify the level of protection that a system provides according to the recommendations of British Standard BS 5839-1:2025 .
Categories can be grouped into three: Manual, Life Safety and Property Protection.
Fire alarm systems should meet the requirements of the BS 5839-1:2025 based on the relevant category to be compliant.
The British Standard BS5839-1:2025 grades systems according to the level of Automatic Fire Detection (AFD) as follows:
At the most basic level, it is normal to protect escape routes and areas deemed to be of higher risk/value albeit the responsibility for specifying the Category usually rests with the Insurer, Fire Risk Assessor or both.
Whilst the typical approach is to install the minimum specification it should be noted that the more fire detection is installed, the earlier a fire will be detected and the consequences of eg building damage reduced. On this account, there is a clear business case for installing additional fire detection beyond what may be specified.
BS 5839-1:2025 splits Fire Alarm Systems into 3 system design categories:
Category P Systems – Property Protection Fire Alarm Systems
Category L Systems – Life Protection Fire Alarm Systems
Category M Systems – Manual Operation Systems
Property Protection Fire Systems
Under BS 5839‑1:2025, Property Protection systems (Category P) are used when the primary objective is to minimise damage to property, rather than protect life (which is the goal of Category L) or rely on manual activation (Category M).
Category P may apply when insurance or asset‑protection criteria require early detection of fire to limit damage and downtime, and to detect fires before they spread beyond valuable areas, e.g., server rooms, archives, plant rooms.
Category ‘P’ type systems are usually specified by Insurers.
- ‘P’: Automatic Fire Detection (AFD) designed primarily to protect property
- P1: AFD installed throughout all areas
- P2: AFD is installed only in defined areas
Life Protection Fire Systems
Under BS 5839-1:2025, Category L fire detection systems are designed specifically for life protection, i.e., systems installed to protect building occupants by providing early warning of fire to enable safe evacuation. These are used where human life safety is the priority, either due to the nature of the building (e.g., sleeping risk) or based on fire risk assessments.
Typically, you can expect premises to fall under category L such as in buildings where people sleep (hotels, care homes, student housing), public or commercial buildings with high occupancy, premises with vulnerable or immobile occupants, or where a fire risk assessment or regulations (e.g. the Fire Safety Order) indicate a legal duty to protect occupants.
Category ‘L’ type systems are usually specified by Fire Risk Assessors.
- ‘L’: Automatic Fire Detection (AFD) is designed to primarily protect Human Life.
- L1: AFD installed throughout all areas, and smoke, combustion gas or multi-sensor detectors required where rooms are occupied (i.e. where people sleep).
- L2: AFD installed in defined areas in addition to L3 with the additional objective of affording early warning of fire to occupants of rooms in which people sleep, and in specified areas of high fire hazard level and/or high fire risk.
- L3: Installed in escape routes and rooms or areas opening onto these routes.
- L4: AFD installed in escape routes comprising circulation areas and spaces such as corridors and stairways, and at the top of any flue-like structure (i.e. lift shaft, hoist)
- L5: Applies to a non – prescriptive system in which protected areas and/or the location of detectors is designed to satisfy a specific fire risk objective – other than that of L1 to L4.
M: No Automatic Fire Detection - System designed to be operated manually
Category M fire alarm systems under BS 5839-1:2025 are Manual fire alarm systems, meaning all fire detection and alarm activation are manual, via manual call points (MCPs) like break-glass units.
Manual systems mean there is no automatic fire detection (like smoke or heat detectors). They rely entirely on people discovering the fire and activating an alarm manually and this is usually combined with alarm sounders which are installed throughout the building to warn occupants.
Since they incorporate no Automatic Fire Detection (AFD), and are primarily for Life Safety, Category ‘M’ type systems are usually only specified by Fire Risk Assessors.
Alarm Receiving Centres
In order to automatically alert the Fire Brigade and key holders in the event of activation of the system outside of office hours, consideration should be given to connecting the system to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC).
In Category L systems, the fire signal should be received at the ARC within 90 secs. A Catastrophic (total) failure, whereby no signals can be transmitted should be indicated at the ARC and on CIE within 3 mins.
In Category P systems, the fire signal must reach ARC in 120 seconds. A Catastrophic or total failure is to be shown within 31 minutes.
Where AFD is provided with means of automatic transmission of alarm signals to an ARC, a label should be fitted to the CIE or adjacent to it to avoid false activations.
Have a question about Fire Alarms? Need a Fire Safety Risk Assessment? Get in touch today.
For almost 50 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems, and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone: 08000 891 999.
You have a legal duty of care to dispose of waste legitimately and safely via a licensed waste carrier. Failure to do so can result in prosecution, even if you have outsourced the disposal to a third party.
The Fixfire® Extinguisher Recycling Process is your reassurance that any Fire Extinguishers we remove from your premises have been disposed of in a safe and legal manner. 97% of each processed Fire Extinguisher is recycled.
Our contracted Extinguisher Recycling Unit (ERU) is a dedicated facility offering a service for the safe processing and recycling/disposal of fire extinguishers. The facility operates closely with the local Water Authority and the Environment Agency to develop safe, efficient and environmentally friendly processes, ensuring that ISO14001 certification is upheld.
Got a question about Fire Extinguisher Disposal? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999
Our contracted Extinguisher Recycling Unit (ERU) is a dedicated facility offering a service for the safe processing and recycling/disposal of fire extinguishers. The facility operates closely with the local Water Authority and the Environment Agency to develop safe, efficient and environmentally friendly processes, ensuring that ISO14001 certification is upheld.
Got a question about Fire Extinguisher Disposal? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999
False Fire Alarms remain a huge concern within the education sector- interrupting already carefully scheduled, planned and well-prepared lessons or even causing major disruption and distress to exams.
Clearly, these false alarms cause significant inconvenience and disruption to students, staff, and visitors. They compromise everyone’s safety in the school and present a significant risk to the local community since the Fire Brigade will prioritise the school over other emergency callouts.
Solutions you should consider:
The first and most straightforward way is to use anti-tamper products.
Fixfire® supplies a wide range of solutions designed to protect Fire Alarm Devices from inadvertent damage or deliberate misuse/vandalism.
Products include:
- Local plastic cover flaps which attach directly to manual call points.
- The stopper consists of a clear, tamperproof, tough polycarbonate cover, frame and spacer that retrofits over a break glass call point. When lifted to operate the break glass unit, its optional battery powered integral sounder emits a piercing 96dB (at 1m). Immediate attention is drawn to the area and a prankster will either run or be caught!
- A range of steel web stoppers designed to protect fire detectors and warning devices. They are constructed from heavy-duty galvanised steel rod which is plastic-coated for durability and external use.
- A range of polycarbonate enclosures are available for the protection of devices such as fire alarm control panels and associated control equipment. The enclosures combine tough rugged construction with stylish design and offer excellent protection with a key lock for authorised access.
We also provide anti-tamper devices for fire extinguishers and associated products.
KeyCall® is a patented anti-ligature Fire Alarm and Access Control call point. It is designed to use the same key as the doors, providing simple operation for staff whilst eliminating nuisance activations by service-users.
KeyCall® has been developed by Fixfire® specifically for approved applications where standard versions would be vulnerable to abuse.
It is one of the best solutions for SEN schools and it is also compatible with a wide range of Conventional and Addressable Fire Alarm Systems.
Most fire safety courses offer a mix of classroom-based learning and practical training experience, educating attendees on how to respond in the event of an emergency.
In order to fulfil your obligations under current Fire Safety Law, it is essential that you have a documented regime of Fire Safety tests and checks and personnel who are suitably trained to respond correctly in the event of an emergency.
All Fire Safety Training is provided by experienced, time-served and qualified persons from a Fire Safety background.
Even if the cameras don't identify the culprit, they can identify who was in the area at the time of the false alarm activation. Fixfire® specialises in integration and will bring together your Fire, Access and Security systems providing enhanced functionality.
Fixfire® provides leading-edge integration with ancillary systems and equipment. Our mission is to deliver reliable, well-engineered installations that provide you with peace of mind 24/7.
Smoke detectors that are placed too close to kitchens, cooking appliances, locker rooms or bathrooms will most likely be accidentally activated by the smoke or steam emitted by these sources. Detectors might need to be relocated.
Smoke detectors are more sensitive and are installed in any environment where smoke or steam would not normally be present. Heat detectors are installed in areas such as kitchens where smoke detectors would constantly false alarm during routine cooking. Multi-sensors combine smoke and heat in one detector and offer immunity to false alarms in certain applications.
New detectors have improved technology and can measure a range of conditions to potentially be more effective at detecting a fire condition.
Flush Fire Detectors ensure protection is not compromised in any areas where conventional ‘un-pluggable’ detection could be subject to abuse. It is widely used in SEN Schools.
Make sure the alarm system is properly and regularly maintained.
Fixfire® is BAFE accredited for the Design, Installation, Maintenance and Servicing of Fire Alarm Systems.
All works are carried out by our employed, uniformed and trained Fire Alarm engineers.
Following each visit, a Certificate of Inspection is issued.
Got a question about False Fire Alarms? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999
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