Guide to Standards & Regulations
Fire safety across the UK coincides with BS 5839 Code of Practice; England and Wales advises that all installations should at least meet the requirements set out in BS 5839. These standards are current guidelines for installers, architects and designers to follow and have been advised as the best practice to follow in order to minimise the loss of life.
Homeowners are advised to follow these standards for their own homes as is currently being recommended as the safest measure to protect their home.
Approved Document B has been put in place for England and Wales meets the minimum recommendations stated in BS 5839-6, and states that all new dwellings must meet at least a Grade D Category LD3 standard. The alarms should be a hardwired and interlinked fire alarm system with battery back up and includes at least one alarm in all circulation areas such as hallways and landings as the minimum protection.
GRADE D1
A system of one or more mains powered detectors, each with a tamper proof standby supply consisting of a battery or batteries.
GRADE D2
A system of one or more mains powered detectors, each with an integral standby supply consisting of a user replacement battery or batteries.
We recommend that you test your alarms every month, replace the backup batteries every year and replace the alarm itself every 10 years. Every 6 months you should also dust your fire alarms so the sensors do not get blocked.
