What are the British Standards?
British standards typically fall into two parts: a specification or a code of practice.
A specification allows manufacturers, and others, who want to place products on the UK Market to a minimum standard. For example, a smoke alarm is designed to a standard which gives minimum requirements. A code of practice provides guidance on what might be considered to be ‘good practice’.
What legislation applies?
Unlike British Standards, legislation requires compliance in all aspects. For fire detection and fire alarm systems, relevant legislation includes, for example, The Building Regulations (England & Wales), and the Tolerable Standard (Scotland). Legislation will not provide guidance on compliance.
Where are you located?
Standards and regulations can vary depending on your location.
To ensure you only see the requirements relevant to your area,
please let us know where you’re based. This helps us
provide
accurate and tailored information for your
compliance needs.
Bs 5839-6 gives recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning
and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises.
This includes:
- Single family accommodation
- HMOs
- Sheltered housing – both dwelling units and common areas
- Supported housing
Ideally a fire risk assessment should be carried out to act as a basis for the design
of the system. Where this is not practicable and unknown factors exist, clause 9 of the
standard details examples of grades and categories of system suitable for varying
installation types.
Clause 5 of the standard details the system components and includes smoke alarms, heat
alarms, multisensory alarms and the like.
Clause 7 details the Grades of system, to include:
- Grade A
- Grade C
- Grade D1 and D2
- Grade F1 and F2
The Grade of system defines the engineering parameters. The vast majority of Grades of
system are D1 or D2.
Clause 8 details the Categories of system. The Category of system details the level of
protection (typically life protection) according to the level of risk. Care should be
taken to also consider the specific minimum requirements detailed in legislation within
the various nations of the UK.
Clause 9 details guidance on the choice of system based on the type of premises and the
grade and category of system. Table 1 in clause 9 provides practical guidance on
minimum recommendations.
The Tolerable Standard is a basic level of repair a property must meet for it to be
considered habitable. Local authorities can enforce owners to carry out work to bring
dwellings up to the ‘Tolerable Standard’
Guidance issued in Scotland effectively makes a Category LD2 system a minimum
requirement.
Find out more
Click the link below to read about the Fire (Scotland) Act.
Find out more
Schedule 1 of this legislation details those aspects which are covered by Regulations 4
and 6. Requirement B details the means of warning and escape. Guidance on the
application of these requirements are detailed in Approved Documents.
Find out more
Approved Document B Volume 1 (typically labelled ADB1) for England differs slightly
from that detailed for Wales. ADB1 gives practical guidance on common building
situations to enable persons to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations 2010.
Section 1 of ADB1 recommends that a minimum Grade D2 Category LD3 fire detection and
fire alarm system in installed in all dwellings. ADB1 also recognises that where there
is additional risk a higher standard of protection should be used, and that the
guidance issued in BS 5839-6 should be adhered to.
ADB1 also does not approve of battery only systems.
Find out more
Where a fixed combustion appliance is provided, J3 requires appropriate provision is
made to detect and give warning of the release of carbon monoxide. Clause 3.43ff covers
carbon monoxide alarms and references BS EN 50292:2013 (now dated 2023) for further
guidance.
Find out more
The Building Standards Technical Handbook 2024: Domestic provides guidance on achieving
the standards set out in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004.
Section 2 (clause 2.11.1) details the minimum requirements of the fire detection and
fire alarm system. This aligns with the requirements of the Tolerable Standard.
Find out more
BS EN 50292 gives guidance on the selection, installation, use and maintenance of the
electrical apparatus used for the detection of carbon monoxide in domestic premises.
BS EN 50292 refers to two types of apparatus, however only Type B apparatus are used to
provide visual and audible alarms only. Type A apparatus can be used to actuate
directly or indirectly a ventilation or other ancillary device.
Guidance is issued in the Guide Document.
This legislation applies to all landlords in England and Wales.
Amongst other requirements, two relevant requirements are:
- A smoke alarm is equipped on each storey of a premises where any room is used for accommodation
- A carbon monoxide alarm is equipped in any room used for accommodation containing a solid fuel burning combustion appliance
Find out more
Clause 8 of this legislation requires landlords to install sufficient appliances for
detecting fire or smoke, as well as for the presence of carbon monoxide within a
premises.
Find out more
Clause 5 of this legislation requires a landlord to have installed a smoke alarm on
each storey of the dwelling. Furthermore, a carbon monoxide alarm must be installed in
each room containing a gas appliance, oil-fire combustion appliance or a solid fuel
combustion appliance.
Find out more
Part E of the legislation (clause 33) details the requirement to have adequate means
of automatic detection and warning of fire.
Find out more
Technical Booklet E provides guidance on how the requirements of the Building
Regulations should be implemented. Clause 2.23 aligns with the requirements in
Scotland, and a minimum Grade D2 and a modified Category LD2 system should be
installed. Where there is increased risk then a higher grade and/or category should be
considered. The slight modification to the LD2 system is that every habitable room
should have a smoke alarm installed.
Find out more
BS 3632 is the specification for the manufacture of residential park homes. Specific
aspects detail the grade and category of system for the home. Residential Park homes
are designed to be lived in all year.
BS EN 1647 applies to caravan holiday homes which are not designed to be lived in all
year.
Bs 5839-6 gives recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning
and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises.
This includes:
- Single family accommodation
- HMOs
- Sheltered housing – both dwelling units and common areas
- Supported housing
Ideally a fire risk assessment should be carried out to act as a basis for the design
of the system. Where this is not practicable and unknown factors exist, clause 9 of the
standard details examples of grades and categories of system suitable for varying
installation types.
Clause 5 of the standard details the system components and includes smoke alarms, heat
alarms, multisensory alarms and the like.
Clause 7 details the Grades of system, to include:
- Grade A
- Grade C
- Grade D1 and D2
- Grade F1 and F2
The Grade of system defines the engineering parameters. The vast majority of Grades of
system are D1 or D2.
Clause 8 details the Categories of system. The Category of system details the level of
protection (typically life protection) according to the level of risk. Care should be
taken to also consider the specific minimum requirements detailed in legislation within
the various nations of the UK.
Clause 9 details guidance on the choice of system based on the type of premises and the
grade and category of system. Table 1 in clause 9 provides practical guidance on
minimum recommendations.
Schedule 1 of this legislation details those aspects which are covered by Regulations 4
and 6. Requirement B details the means of warning and escape. Guidance on the
application of these requirements are detailed in Approved Documents.
Find out more
Approved Document B Volume 1 (typically labelled ADB1) for England differs slightly
from that detailed for Wales. ADB1 gives practical guidance on common building
situations to enable persons to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations 2010.
Section 1 of ADB1 recommends that a minimum Grade D2 Category LD3 fire detection and
fire alarm system in installed in all dwellings. ADB1 also recognises that where there
is additional risk a higher standard of protection should be used, and that the
guidance issued in BS 5839-6 should be adhered to.
ADB1 also does not approve of battery only systems.
Find out more
Where a fixed combustion appliance is provided, J3 requires appropriate provision is
made to detect and give warning of the release of carbon monoxide. Clause 3.43ff covers
carbon monoxide alarms and references BS EN 50292:2013 (now dated 2023) for further
guidance.
Find out more
BS EN 50292 gives guidance on the selection, installation, use and maintenance of the
electrical apparatus used for the detection of carbon monoxide in domestic premises.
BS EN 50292 refers to two types of apparatus, however only Type B apparatus are used to
provide visual and audible alarms only. Type A apparatus can be used to actuate
directly or indirectly a ventilation or other ancillary device.
Guidance is issued in the Guide Document.
This legislation applies to all landlords in England and Wales.
Amongst other requirements, two relevant requirements are:
- A smoke alarm is equipped on each storey of a premises where any room is used for accommodation
- A carbon monoxide alarm is equipped in any room used for accommodation containing a solid fuel burning combustion appliance
Find out more
BS 3632 is the specification for the manufacture of residential park homes. Specific
aspects detail the grade and category of system for the home. Residential Park homes
are designed to be lived in all year.
BS EN 1647 applies to caravan holiday homes which are not designed to be lived in all
year.
Bs 5839-6 gives recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning
and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises.
This includes:
- Single family accommodation
- HMOs
- Sheltered housing – both dwelling units and common areas
- Supported housing
Ideally a fire risk assessment should be carried out to act as a basis for the design
of the system. Where this is not practicable and unknown factors exist, clause 9 of the
standard details examples of grades and categories of system suitable for varying
installation types.
Clause 5 of the standard details the system components and includes smoke alarms, heat
alarms, multisensory alarms and the like.
Clause 7 details the Grades of system, to include:
- Grade A
- Grade C
- Grade D1 and D2
- Grade F1 and F2
The Grade of system defines the engineering parameters. The vast majority of Grades of
system are D1 or D2.
Clause 8 details the Categories of system. The Category of system details the level of
protection (typically life protection) according to the level of risk. Care should be
taken to also consider the specific minimum requirements detailed in legislation within
the various nations of the UK.
Clause 9 details guidance on the choice of system based on the type of premises and the
grade and category of system. Table 1 in clause 9 provides practical guidance on
minimum recommendations.
Schedule 1 of this legislation details those aspects which are covered by Regulations 4
and 6. Requirement B details the means of warning and escape. Guidance on the
application of these requirements are detailed in Approved Documents.
Find out more
Approved Document B Volume 1 (typically labelled ADB1) for England differs slightly
from that detailed for Wales. ADB1 gives practical guidance on common building
situations to enable persons to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations 2010.
Section 1 of ADB1 recommends that a minimum Grade D2 Category LD3 fire detection and
fire alarm system in installed in all dwellings. ADB1 also recognises that where there
is additional risk a higher standard of protection should be used, and that the
guidance issued in BS 5839-6 should be adhered to.
ADB1 also does not approve of battery only systems.
Find out more
Where a fixed combustion appliance is provided, J3 requires appropriate provision is
made to detect and give warning of the release of carbon monoxide. Clause 3.43ff covers
carbon monoxide alarms and references BS EN 50292:2013 (now dated 2023) for further
guidance.
Find out more
Clause 5 of this legislation requires a landlord to have installed a smoke alarm on
each storey of the dwelling. Furthermore, a carbon monoxide alarm must be installed in
each room containing a gas appliance, oil-fire combustion appliance or a solid fuel
combustion appliance.
Find out more
BS 3632 is the specification for the manufacture of residential park homes. Specific
aspects detail the grade and category of system for the home. Residential Park homes
are designed to be lived in all year.
BS EN 1647 applies to caravan holiday homes which are not designed to be lived in all
year.
Bs 5839-6 gives recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning
and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises.
This includes:
- Single family accommodation
- HMOs
- Sheltered housing – both dwelling units and common areas
- Supported housing
Ideally a fire risk assessment should be carried out to act as a basis for the design
of the system. Where this is not practicable and unknown factors exist, clause 9 of the
standard details examples of grades and categories of system suitable for varying
installation types.
Clause 5 of the standard details the system components and includes smoke alarms, heat
alarms, multisensory alarms and the like.
Clause 7 details the Grades of system, to include:
- Grade A
- Grade C
- Grade D1 and D2
- Grade F1 and F2
The Grade of system defines the engineering parameters. The vast majority of Grades of
system are D1 or D2.
Clause 8 details the Categories of system. The Category of system details the level of
protection (typically life protection) according to the level of risk. Care should be
taken to also consider the specific minimum requirements detailed in legislation within
the various nations of the UK.
Clause 9 details guidance on the choice of system based on the type of premises and the
grade and category of system. Table 1 in clause 9 provides practical guidance on
minimum recommendations.
The Tolerable Standard is a basic level of repair a property must meet for it to be
considered habitable. Local authorities can enforce owners to carry out work to bring
dwellings up to the ‘Tolerable Standard’
Guidance issued in Scotland effectively makes a Category LD2 system a minimum
requirement.
Find out more
Click the link below to read about the Fire (Scotland) Act.
Find out more
The Building Standards Technical Handbook 2024: Domestic provides guidance on achieving
the standards set out in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004.
Section 2 (clause 2.11.1) details the minimum requirements of the fire detection and
fire alarm system. This aligns with the requirements of the Tolerable Standard.
Find out more
BS EN 50292 gives guidance on the selection, installation, use and maintenance of the
electrical apparatus used for the detection of carbon monoxide in domestic premises.
BS EN 50292 refers to two types of apparatus, however only Type B apparatus are used to
provide visual and audible alarms only. Type A apparatus can be used to actuate
directly or indirectly a ventilation or other ancillary device.
Guidance is issued in the Guide Document.
BS 3632 is the specification for the manufacture of residential park homes. Specific
aspects detail the grade and category of system for the home. Residential Park homes
are designed to be lived in all year.
BS EN 1647 applies to caravan holiday homes which are not designed to be lived in all
year.
Bs 5839-6 gives recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning
and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises.
This includes:
- Single family accommodation
- HMOs
- Sheltered housing – both dwelling units and common areas
- Supported housing
Ideally a fire risk assessment should be carried out to act as a basis for the design
of the system. Where this is not practicable and unknown factors exist, clause 9 of the
standard details examples of grades and categories of system suitable for varying
installation types.
Clause 5 of the standard details the system components and includes smoke alarms, heat
alarms, multisensory alarms and the like.
Clause 7 details the Grades of system, to include:
- Grade A
- Grade C
- Grade D1 and D2
- Grade F1 and F2
The Grade of system defines the engineering parameters. The vast majority of Grades of
system are D1 or D2.
Clause 8 details the Categories of system. The Category of system details the level of
protection (typically life protection) according to the level of risk. Care should be
taken to also consider the specific minimum requirements detailed in legislation within
the various nations of the UK.
Clause 9 details guidance on the choice of system based on the type of premises and the
grade and category of system. Table 1 in clause 9 provides practical guidance on
minimum recommendations.
BS EN 50292 gives guidance on the selection, installation, use and maintenance of the
electrical apparatus used for the detection of carbon monoxide in domestic premises.
BS EN 50292 refers to two types of apparatus, however only Type B apparatus are used to
provide visual and audible alarms only. Type A apparatus can be used to actuate
directly or indirectly a ventilation or other ancillary device.
Guidance is issued in the Guide Document.
Clause 8 of this legislation requires landlords to install sufficient appliances for
detecting fire or smoke, as well as for the presence of carbon monoxide within a
premises.
Find out more
Part E of the legislation (clause 33) details the requirement to have adequate means
of automatic detection and warning of fire.
Find out more
Technical Booklet E provides guidance on how the requirements of the Building
Regulations should be implemented. Clause 2.23 aligns with the requirements in
Scotland, and a minimum Grade D2 and a modified Category LD2 system should be
installed. Where there is increased risk then a higher grade and/or category should be
considered. The slight modification to the LD2 system is that every habitable room
should have a smoke alarm installed.
Find out more
BS 3632 is the specification for the manufacture of residential park homes. Specific
aspects detail the grade and category of system for the home. Residential Park homes
are designed to be lived in all year.
BS EN 1647 applies to caravan holiday homes which are not designed to be lived in all
year.
BS EN 50292 gives guidance on the selection, installation, use and maintenance of the
electrical apparatus used for the detection of carbon monoxide in domestic premises.
BS EN 50292 refers to two types of apparatus, however only Type B apparatus are used to
provide visual and audible alarms only. Type A apparatus can be used to actuate
directly or indirectly a ventilation or other ancillary device.
Guidance is issued in the Guide Document.
BS EN 1647 applies to caravan holiday homes which are not designed to be lived in all
year.
Standards and regulations are vital in the safety alarm industry to ensure reliable protection and compliance. Espire prioritises safety by adhering to British Standards, ensuring systems meet high levels of performance and reliability to protect lives and property.
Our technical support is designed to provide you with the assistance you need to overcome any technical challenges you may be facing. Explore our Technical Support page for a detailed description of what we offer. If you can't find the answers you're looking for, don't worry - our dedicated support team is just a click away.
ESP provides a Fire Design service with fully trained engineers qualified in British Standards. They offer in-house CAD design, site visits, and a commissioning service to ensure systems meet BS 5839-1 standards, with certification upon completion.
ESP offers free product training for contractors and wholesalers, with ongoing technical support for selection, installation, and maintenance. CPD-accredited sessions help professionals stay updated on industry regulations and technologies.
