PSI July 2019
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system and Category of fire protection provided for<br />
that specific type of property are listed. It is here,<br />
in the <strong>2019</strong> revisions, that we have seen the<br />
biggest changes that will have a major impact on<br />
what type of Fire Alarms are fitted and where. In<br />
the main this is due to an increase in the Category<br />
of fire protection from LD3 where previously listed,<br />
which requires one mains-powered Optical Alarm<br />
in the hallway and another upstairs on the landing,<br />
interconnected together, to Category LD2. LD2<br />
involves additional alarm coverage, with a Heat<br />
Alarm in the kitchen and a further Smoke alarm in<br />
the main living area; once again all interconnected.<br />
This upgrade in fire protection is most notable<br />
in existing rental properties and Houses in Multiple<br />
Occupation (HMOs):<br />
• Existing two – three-storey maisonettes and<br />
houses in the rental sector have now been<br />
upgraded from the low Category of fire protection<br />
(LD3) to the medium Category LD2 and graded D1,<br />
i.e. mains-powered alarm with tamper-proof<br />
battery back-up power. New build properties of<br />
this nature remain LD3, unless a risk assessment<br />
indicates otherwise.<br />
• Existing Houses in Multiple Occupation<br />
(HMOs) have been set as Category of LD2 whereas<br />
before it was a mixture of LD2 and LD3 depending<br />
on the nature of the property and inhabitants.<br />
Grade D1 is now the requirement<br />
Other property types that have made an<br />
appearance in the BS 5839-6 property<br />
classification are supported housing and shortterm<br />
holiday lets. Both are allocated the highest<br />
category of protection, Grade D1, LD1.<br />
BS 5839-6:<strong>2019</strong> is a code of practice for fire detection and fire<br />
alarm systems in domestic premises, not a set of legal<br />
requirements; there is no penalty if an organisation or<br />
individual chooses to ignore the standard and no date for<br />
‘compliance’<br />
Other Changes of Note<br />
Weekly alarm testing was previously<br />
recommended in BS 5839-6 but this has been<br />
changed to monthly (apart from Grade A systems).<br />
Although weekly testing of alarms remains ideal,<br />
it’s not a realistic expectation, whereas monthly is<br />
far more manageable and therefore likely. The<br />
important message is that users continue to test<br />
their alarms at regular intervals.<br />
Recommendations contained within the NFCC<br />
Specialised Housing Guide regarding all fire<br />
detection, alarm and transmission / signalling to<br />
an Alarm Receiving Centre has been incorporated<br />
into BS 5839-6:<strong>2019</strong>, which is useful and<br />
recognises that valuable document.<br />
Carbon Monoxide Alarms have been<br />
acknowledged for the first time in BS 5839-6 <strong>2019</strong><br />
as they are increasingly been installed alongside<br />
Fire Alarms systems or incorporated within them.<br />
BS 5839-6 states that mains powered Carbon<br />
Monoxide Alarms conforming to BS EN 50291 and<br />
installed in compliance with BS EN 50292 may also<br />
be interlinked with the fire detection and alarm<br />
system if the manufacturer of all the components<br />
makes such a recommendation.<br />
About the FIA<br />
The FIA (Fire Industry Association) is a not-for-profit<br />
organisation. We are the leading trade association for the fire<br />
industry in the UK. Our education and training that we offer<br />
through our qualifications and industry recognised courses exist<br />
to provide you with a high level of knowledge and<br />
understanding that will help develop your career and build your business.<br />
Our courses are delivered by experienced professionals from the industry, who can not only<br />
deliver the course, but answer questions and provide real-life examples, enabling all delegates<br />
to deliver excellent results for their organisations.<br />
Combined with our website (fia.uk.com), we aim to provide a service that contributes to and<br />
promotes technical developments in the industry. Standards are constantly being revised and<br />
updated and it is vital to stay up-to-date with the changes. By taking our qualifications and<br />
courses and using our extensive Resource Library on our website, you can be sure that you will<br />
be well informed of any recent changes as and when they happen.<br />
Our range of professional qualifications and training programmes – along with our extensive<br />
membership benefits – are all designed to support learners and their organisations to grow,<br />
develop technical knowledge, and increase your network.<br />
www.psimagazine.co.uk<br />
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