Landlords' Guide to Electrical Safety in Scotland - Association of ...

BS 5839-6 risk assessment criteria
As outlined previously, when specifying a system, it is necessary to follow the principles
of fire risk assessment. The design and complexity of the system should reflect the risk
presented by the subject property and the type of occupier. This means that, amongst
other things:
the system design should be appropriate to the risk
each room in the dwelling is separately assessed to the risk
the statistical data on fire incidence in each type of dwelling/room is considered;
and
an occupant’s characteristics are relevant (for example, a tenant does not have
impaired hearing).
Whilst BS 5839-6 is not a prescriptive standard, the guidance it provides is based on the
principles of fire risk assessment, and should in the majority of cases provide a
reasonable level of protection. However, individual characteristics of a subject property
must always be considered before specifying a particular system. The standards
recommended in Table 1 of BS 5839-6 should be regarded as base guidelines as the
recommendations given assume occupants will not be from high risk groups. If this is
not to be the case, then the risk can be considered to be higher and a higher standard
of detection and warning may be appropriate.
There is no risk low enough to negate the need for some form of detection and
warning system in the house.
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The Electrical Safety Council Landlords’ Guide to Electrical Safety in Scotland