BS 5839 Part 6 2019 D1 revision Is it retrospective?

The general principle for most standards is that they're not retrospective - i.e. they'd cover new work (in new or old installations) but wouldn't automatically apply to existing installations unless there was some alteration or addition - and then would only necessarily apply to the alteration or addition. Occasionally you might be obliged to alter some of the existing installation in order for the new work to comply - but that's really a matter of the scope of the new work rather than the standard applying to retrospectively to the old installation.


There can be good reasons for 'keeping up with the latest standards' (or thereabouts) - which might be driven by things like insurance requirements, health & safety policy or licensing - but that's a matter for those things rather than the standard itself.


I'd guess that BS 5839 follows the same general principles as other standards in that respect - but others here will know better than me about that.


  - Andy.

Very good explanation from Andy. However there is one area for this standard where it might be retrospective (note my use of the phrase 'might be' rather than is - I don't know the standard well enough to advise).

The title of the standard is Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises. Where there are changes in the recommended maintenance then a revised standard will generally be applicable (so if it says the testing should now be carried out every six months instead of every year you would do that) but only if it is something that is appropriate.

To relate it to your example (if I have understood it right) the existing detectors will not need to be changed for the new 10 year integral battery types, but if you are installing some new detectors they should comply. However if there is a change in the maintenance regime as a result of this amendment such that the standard says the detectors only need to be checked every ten years then that is only appropriate for the new detector type and the old testing regime would be retained for the detectors currently installed. 

I hope this makes sense.

Alasdair

Fire safety standards are retrospective, ie. that the installation must comply with the edition that is current (FRAs and reasonable practicableness notwithstanding). 

The annual inspection and test should highlight any non-compliances with the current standard, and note whether these require improvement or are deemed 'allowable deviations'.

The legislation does not cover individual dwellings but would be applicable to communal areas etc.