BS-5839 part 6 LD3

Does BS-5839 part 6 LD3 need to be reviewed?  Points to consider.

LD3 is considered the Minimum Protection for a domestic dwelling.

Normally in a 3 bed semi detached house Detectors are in all circulation areas that form part of the escape routes (hallways and landings) ONLY.  Would/Could it beneficial to include or mandate a heat alarm for the kitchen and/or plant room if present?  (Plant room could contain kit from Solar PV battery storage or inverter etc)

LD3 also seems to infer that the fire will/could start inside the dwelling rather than elsewhere.  As an couterargument example an e-bike may be left directly outside the front door or rear door.  Does LD3 take into full consideration the shear amount of electrical and electronic items now in the average dwelling?  Most dwellings will contain at least 1 mobile phone which may or may not be left charging overnight, same could be said for a laptop or tablet or small battery pack (20000mAh USB Power Bank or less).  With direct reference to the small battery pack reference is made to the fact that China requires CCC certification for power banks sold within the country and strictly prohibits non-CCC certified, unclear, or recalled power banks on domestic flights.


LD3 seems to only really apply in England & Wales as Scotland changed their law in 2022.  In Scotland every home (owner-occupied, private rented, social housing, and new build) must meet a minimum standard that is functionally equivalent to Category LD2.



As always please be polite and respectful in this purely academic debate.





Come on everybody let’s help inspire the future.

Parents
  • Dwelling fires are still falling in England from 28,504 in 2019/2020 to 25,408 in 2024/2025. That said the number of fatalities is creeping up 194 in 2024/2025 compared to 166 in 2023/2024 and 199 in 2022/2023

    (source assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/.../FIRE0205.xlsx)

    The guidance that supports the building regulations ADB v1 still up to 2029 only requires LD3.

    BS 5839-6 does recommend a risk assessment before picking a category. And categories are short hand not straight jackets adding a extra detector does mean its becomes another category.

    BS 5839-1:2019 + A1:2020 recommends LD2 for new dwellings. Plus it is starting its review in January so start your ideas on how it should be changed now!

  • BS 5839-1:2019 + A1:2020 recommends LD2 for new dwellings. Plus it is starting its review in January so start your ideas on how it should be changed now!

    It also recommends a minimum of LD2 for (existing) rented properties and owner-occupied larger homes.

    This year, my insurers obliged me to installed interlinked detectors/alarms. On the basis that their next step might be to require mains-driven ones, I installed them.

    In an existing dwelling, moving furniture, taking up carpets and floorboards, etc. is a real faff, but given that the cost of installing the cables is negligible, why would you not do that in a new build?

    Part J of Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations 2010 requires carbon monoxide alarms where there are combustion appliances in domestic premises. Part B is more vague: B1. The building shall be designed and constructed so that there are appropriate provisions for the early warning of fire ...

    It seems odd that detectors/alarms are not explicitly required in rooms containing combustion appliances.

    The only time when this house came close to being set on fire was when Mrs forgot something under the grill. The flames were touching the ceiling.

    So in answer to Sergio's question, I would go for LD3+, i.e. LD3 as it is plus an detector/alarm in any room which contains a combustion appliance, plus the kitchen; and all alarms to be mains-powered and interlinked.

  • In an existing dwelling, moving furniture, taking up carpets and floorboards, etc. is a real faff, but given that the cost of installing the cables is negligible, why would you not do that in a new build?

    in a word money

    the extra cost of a couple of extra smoke/heat alarms is lobbied agaist by the house building industry. to change things goverment has to do an impact assessment and they don't like things that add cost

  • Part J of Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations 2010 requires carbon monoxide alarms where there are combustion appliances in domestic premises. Part B is more vague: B1. The building shall be designed and constructed so that there are appropriate provisions for the early warning of fire ...

    from the building regulations shedule 1

    Warning of release of carbon monoxide J3.

    Where a fixed combustion appliance is provided, appropriate provision shall be made to detect and give warning of the release of carbon monoxide.

    Means of warning and escape B1.

    The building shall be designed and constructed so that there are appropriate provisions for the early warning of fire, and appropriate means of escape in case of fire from the building to a place of safety outside the building capable of being safely and effectively used at
    all material times.

    they are both equally vague as the UK has performance baised building regulations so there is more than one way of compling the approved documents are not law only guidance 

Reply
  • Part J of Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations 2010 requires carbon monoxide alarms where there are combustion appliances in domestic premises. Part B is more vague: B1. The building shall be designed and constructed so that there are appropriate provisions for the early warning of fire ...

    from the building regulations shedule 1

    Warning of release of carbon monoxide J3.

    Where a fixed combustion appliance is provided, appropriate provision shall be made to detect and give warning of the release of carbon monoxide.

    Means of warning and escape B1.

    The building shall be designed and constructed so that there are appropriate provisions for the early warning of fire, and appropriate means of escape in case of fire from the building to a place of safety outside the building capable of being safely and effectively used at
    all material times.

    they are both equally vague as the UK has performance baised building regulations so there is more than one way of compling the approved documents are not law only guidance 

Children
  • the approved documents are not law only guidance

    Quite so, but your quotations from Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations 2010 are law. Contravention may lead of a fine of up to £5k, or two years' imprisonment, or both - see S.35 of the Building Act 1984.