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Do I need to buy BS 5839 & BS 5839 for Fire Alarm Installations?

Former Community Member
Former Community Member

Hi, just starting out on my own. I'm only ever going to be working on domestic electrical installations and will only install basic standard interlinked smoke and heat detectors/alarms (one on each floor etc.). The ‘IET guide to the building regulations’ gives decent information on installing these. It says that one fire alarm installation can be included on an EIC or additionally on a MEIWC. But it also says that “The fire alarm installation is to be designed, installed and tested in accordance with BS 5839-6" and that in all cases “a fire system certificate for the design installation and commissioning shall be completed and given to the person ordering the work”. 

Do I need to purchase BS 5839 Part 1 and Part 6: for Fire Alarm Installations?

Thanks!

 

Parents
  • 0

    I don't recall any detail during my training course, but there certainly was a smoke detector in the training bay.

    My personal view is that it is perfectly in order to install a circuit to supply the smoke and heat detectors as required by the householder. Use 3 core & earth with the third core for linking them.

    What you have to be careful about is design and certification. If you are intending to do design, you need to do an appropriate course, but I understand that they may be available free from some manufacturers. (Sparkingchip will doubtless say more.) If you are going to certify to BS 5839, you need to be competent and I would suggest, have a copy.

    The biggest problem is that if you get involved in the remotest way with design and certification, you will need professional indemnity insurance and the rate for alarms is substantially more than for without.

    I suggest leave the design to the architect or main contractor and don't issue BS 5839 certificates.

Reply
  • 0

    I don't recall any detail during my training course, but there certainly was a smoke detector in the training bay.

    My personal view is that it is perfectly in order to install a circuit to supply the smoke and heat detectors as required by the householder. Use 3 core & earth with the third core for linking them.

    What you have to be careful about is design and certification. If you are intending to do design, you need to do an appropriate course, but I understand that they may be available free from some manufacturers. (Sparkingchip will doubtless say more.) If you are going to certify to BS 5839, you need to be competent and I would suggest, have a copy.

    The biggest problem is that if you get involved in the remotest way with design and certification, you will need professional indemnity insurance and the rate for alarms is substantially more than for without.

    I suggest leave the design to the architect or main contractor and don't issue BS 5839 certificates.

Children
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