BS5839 or HTM 05 Fire Safety

Both documents complement one another.


HTM 05 says.


3.3 Health Technical Memorandum 05-03 Part B – ‘Fire detection and alarm systems’ provides general principles and technical guidance on the design, specification, installation, commissioning, testing, operation and maintenance of fire alarm systems in healthcare premises. It should be read in conjunction with BS 5839-1 and the relevant parts of BS EN 5


The Fire Strategy for the building will determine the requirements for the fire alarm system which will need to comply with BS 5839 and certified to that standard before handing over to the responsible person to sign for acceptance.

Afternoon John


Many thanks for the input, very helpful.


Regards


Adrian

Ok, I have reviewed a little further in to what the dispute appears to be about and on one hand I have the incumbent fire specialist quoting section 4.6 from HTM 05-03 Part B which states the following:

L1 system should be provided

throughout all parts of hospital premises.

However, detectors need not normally be

provided in the following areas:

voids and roof spaces of any depth which

contain only:

(i) MICC or wiring clipped to a metal tray

or within metal conduit or trunking;

(ii) non-combustible pipework and ducts;

(iii) metal or plastic pipes used for water

supply or drainage;

bath/shower rooms;

toilets in staff areas;

small cupboards (less than 1 m2);

operating theatres.

In any case the omission of detectors should be

subject to a risk assessment.


....and then, on the other hand, I have the Fire Officer stating that any void (800mm - 1500mm) should be provided with void detection as per BS5839.


So, I can see why there appears to be some disagreement with what strategy to employ


Regards


Adrian

I think it is al in the last sentence of the HTM requirement.


Has a Fire Strategy for the building been produced?


That determines the requirement. That said I am with the the fire officer as I can't see a risk assessment carried out by a fire engineer omitting the requirement for detection.

Thanks again John, I agree with your opinion.  I will endeavour to find out if the incumbent fire specialist has a current 'Fire Strategy' for the demise and go from there.


Regards


Adrian

I think the fire officer is referring to 5839-1 2013 which required protection in voids over 800mm full stop.The 2017 version no longer requires protection providing the void has an appropriately low fire risk. By the same token the most recent version now requires consideration of protection in voids less than 800mm where a fire risk assessment determines it appropriate. Voids over 1500mm should be treated as rooms.