BS 5839-1:2025 Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems for Buildings
 
This part of BS 5839 is published by BSI Standards Limited, under licence from The British Standards Institution, and came into effect on 30 April 2025. It was prepared by Technical Subcommittee FSH/12/1, Installation and servicing, under the authority of Technical Committee FSH/12, Fire detection and alarm systems. A list of organizations represented on these committees can be obtained on request to the committee manager.
This part of BS 5839 supersedes BS 5839‑1:2017, which is withdrawn.
 
BS 5839 is published in the following parts:
• Part 1: Design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems in non‑domestic premises – Code of practice;
• Part 3: Specification for automatic release mechanisms for certain fire protection equipment;
• Part 6: Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises;
• Part 8: Design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of voice alarm systems – Code of practice;
• Part 9: Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of emergency voice communication systems.
 
A guide to queries and interpretations on BS 5839‑1 is given in PD 6531.
 
This is a full revision of the document, and introduces the following principal changes.
a) The document has undergone some restructuring, with Clause 4 being moved to a new Introduction and Clause 33 being merged with Clause 31.
b) A new Section 7 has been introduced on extensions and modifications.
c) As a code of practice, variations from the recommendations of this part of BS 5839 might be acceptable, subject to the agreement of all interested parties. However, it is now considered, in the light of a number of fatal fires, that variations from the recommendations of certain clauses are unacceptable. Those considered unacceptable are now set out explicitly in Clause 6.
d) The siting recommendations for manual call points have been simplified.
e) It is now recommended that, in rooms in which people sleep, preference is given to forms of automatic fire detection other than heat detectors (or sprinkler heads performing the same role as heat detectors).
 
This publication can be withdrawn, revised, partially superseded or superseded. Information regarding the status of this publication can be found in the Standards Catalogue on the BSI website at knowledge.bsigroup.com, or by contacting the Customer Services team.
 
Where websites and webpages have been cited, they are provided for ease of reference and are correct at the time of publication. The location of a webpage or website, or its contents, cannot be guaranteed.
 
As a code of practice, this part of BS 5839 takes the form of recommendations and guidance. It is not to be quoted as if it were a specification. Users are expected to ensure that claims of compliance are not misleading.
 
Users may substitute any of the recommendations in this part of BS 5839 with practices of equivalent or better outcome. Any user claiming compliance with this part of BS 5839 is expected to be able to justify any course of action that deviates from its recommendations.
 
It has been assumed in the preparation of this part of BS 5839 that the execution of its provisions will be entrusted to appropriately qualified and competent people, for whose use it has been produced.
 
The copyright for Annex D, Annex G and Annex H of this part of BS 5839 is owned by BSI. Purchasers of this part of BS 5839 are authorized to use the model content contained within Annex D, Annex G and Annex H, and to make an unlimited number of copies for their own use, without infringement of copyright. However, following the recommendations given in this part of BS 5839 does not necessitate use of these models.
 
The provisions of this document are presented in roman (i.e. upright) type. Its recommendations are expressed in sentences in which the principal auxiliary verb is “should”.
 
Commentary, explanation and general informative material is presented in smaller italic type, and does not constitute a normative element.
 
The word “should” is used to express recommendations of this document. The word “may” is used in the text to express permissibility, e.g. as an alternative to the primary recommendation of the clause. The word “can” is used to express possibility, e.g. a consequence of an action or an event.
 
Notes and commentaries are provided throughout the text of this document. Notes give references and additional information that are important but do not form part of the recommendations.
 
Commentaries give background information.
 
Where words have alternative spellings, the preferred spelling of the Shorter Oxford English
Dictionary is used (e.g. “organization” rather than “organisation”).
 
This publication has been prepared in good faith, however no representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking (express or implied) is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by BSI in relation to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of this publication. All and any such responsibility and liability is expressly disclaimed to the full extent permitted by the law.
 
This publication is provided as is, and is to be used at the recipient’s own risk.
 
The recipient is advised to consider seeking professional guidance with respect to its use of this publication.
 
This publication is not intended to constitute a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.
 
Section 1 General
Introduction
 
Section 2 Design considerations
 
Section 3 Limitation of false alarms and unwanted fire alarm signals
 
Section 4 Installation
 
Section 5 Commissioning and handover
 
Section 6 Maintenance
 
Bibliography