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WELCOME
This guide has been developed to highlight the key
points of the latest version of the standard:
BS5839 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for
buildings – Part 1 2017: Code of practice for design,
installation, commissioning and maintenance of
systems in non-domestic premises.
The guide should not be used as a substitute for the
standard.
This guide will be of particular interest for those
designers and installers that need simple guidance
to the selection, spacing and location of fire devices.
L1
L2
L3
L4
P1
P2
CATEGORIES
Fire Alarm and Fire Detection systems are categorised
in the following way:
P
- AFD* designed to primarily
protect property
P1
- AFD installed throughout
all areas
P2
- AFD Installed only in
defined areas
L -
AFD designed to primarily
protect human life
L1
- AFD installed throughout
all areas
L2
- AFD Installed in defined
areas in addition to L3
L3
- AFD installed in escape
routes and rooms opening
onto these routes
L4
- AFD installed in escape
routes comprising circulation
areas and spaces such as
corridors and stairways
L5
- A non-prescriptive system
in which the protected
area(s) is designed to satisfy
a specific fire risk objective
(other than that of L1 to L4)
M -
System designed to be operated
manually (no AFD)
*AFD = Automatic Fire Detection
