BS5839 Fire Alarm System
Classifications
The British
Standard splits fire alarm system designs into different classifications of
system. This article looks at the different types of fire alarm system
classifications for Public, Commercial and Industrial buildings (a further
article will be written to explain domestic system classifications).
BS5839
Splits fire alarm systems into 3 categories. These 3 categories
are Category P Systems, Category L Systems and Category M Systems. Please
find following a description of these categories.
All the
systems described below are expected to have manual call points on all final
exits, entrances to stairwells and corridors where persons are not expected to
walk more than 45 metres to operate a call point.
Category P Fire Alarm Systems
BS5839
Category P Fire Alarm Systems are designed specifically for protection of
property only. Category P systems are split into 2 classifications P1 or
P2.
The
main objective of a Category P1 fire alarm system is to provide the earliest
possible warning of a fire to minimise the time between ignition and the
arrival of the fire fighters.
The
difference between a P1 and a P2 system is that a P1 system is designed to
protect the whole building, whereas a P2 system is installed in defined parts
of the building only. These defined parts of the building may be areas
with an extraordinary high fire risk or hazard.
BS5839 Category P Fire Alarm System Equipment
To
create a category P fire alarm system it is possible to use either conventional,
analogue addressable or wirelesss fire alarm system equipment. We have an
extensive range of all these types of systems available.
For
smaller installations a conventional / non-addressable fire alarm system may be
more cost effective, whereas for larger installations an analogue addressable
system would be more suitable.
In
buildings where installations are difficult wireless fire alarm system
equipment can lead to cost savings. These systems can also be used for
category P systems.
Category L Fire Alarm Systems
The
main objective BS5839 Category L Fire Alarm System is life
protection. These systems are split into 5 classifications L1, L2,
L3, L4 and L5.
BS5839
Classification L1 Explanation
A
BS5839 L1 classification includes automatic fire detection in all rooms, on all
escape routes and in all voids over 800mm in height. Sounders positioned
throughout the building to achieve a minimum of 65dB(A) throughout the building
and 75dB(A) at bedhead where there is a sleeping risk. In areas of high
ambient noise sound levels the fire alarm sound levels should be 5dB(A)
above the normal noise level although not exceeding 120dB(A).
BS5839
Classification L2 Explanation
A
BS5839 Classification L2 System should include automatic fire detection on all
escape routes and rooms leading onto escape routes. An L2 system can also
include additional areas deemed as a high risk not included in the escape
routes and adjoining rooms, such as boiler houses. The sounders in the
building should be according to the description in the BS5839 Category L1
description as above.
BS5839
Classification L3 System Explanation
A
BS5839 Classification L3 system is very similar to a category L2 system in that
automatic fire detection should be positioned on escape routes and adjoining
rooms, although it does not have to include for additional areas deemed to have
a high fire risk. The sounders in the building should be according to the
description in the BS5839 Category L1 description as above.
BS5839
Classification L4 System Explanation
A
BS5839 Classification L4 system includes automatic fire detection on escape
routes only, and not in the adjoining rooms as per the L2 and L3
classifications. The sounders in the building should be according to the
description in the BS5839 Category L1 description as above.
BS5839
Classification L5 System Explanation
A
BS5839 Classification L5 System is designed for buildings that have a
particular fire risk identified which warrants some special attention.
For example if there is an area of high fire risk which is considered worthy of
having some automatic detection but a manual system is also needed, then this
will be termed as L5/M. The sounders in the building should be according
to the description in the BS5839 Category L1 description as above.
Category
M Fire Alarm Systems
A
BS5839 Category M Fire Alarm System is a manual operation only system which has call points on all exits as well as corridors where persons are
not expected to walk any more than 45m to operate one.
Category L Fire Alarm System Equipment Available At
The Safety Centre
Have
you been informed that you require a BS5839 Category L Fire Alarm System?
If so, The Safety Centre has hundreds of products available suitable for creating
BS5839 Category L Fire Alarm Systems. We have products available to suit
all budgets. We have extensive ranges of equipment from many of the
worlds leading fire alarm system manufacturers. These ranges include fire
alarm panels, detectors, manual call points, sounders and beacons all suitable
for use on BS5839 Category L fire alarm systems.