Grades and Category

BS 5839-6: 2004 Fire detection

and alarm systems

Presented by
Neil Perdell, National Technical Manager,
Aico Ltd
Grades & Category
Grade of system - the type of system to
be installed...
e.g Mains powered alarms with back-up
Category of system - the extent of the
system...
The number of alarms installed & where
Grades of system
Grade A
A fire detection & alarm system
which incorporates control &
indicating equipment conforming to
BS EN 54-2 and power supply
equipment conforming to BS EN 54-
4, and which is designed & installed
in accordance with sections 1 to 4
of BS 5839-1:2002 except certain
clauses

Grade A important difference
from Pt.1 system
Standby supply
72 hrs back-up(plus15 mins in alarm)
Pt.1 systems minimum 24 hrs
Grades of system
Grade B
A fire detection & alarm system
comprising fire detectors (other than
smoke & heat alarms), fire alarm
sounders and control & indicating
equipment conforming to BS EN 54-2
(and power supply equipment
conforming to BS EN 54-4) or to
Annex C of this part of BS 5839.

Grade A & B system
Mains
power
supply
Sounder circuit
Detector circuit
Manual Call Point circuit
All circuits at 24VDC in fire
resistant cable
Central control panel
Grades of system
Grade C
A system of fire detectors and alarm
sounders (which may be combined
in the form of smoke alarms)
connected to a common power
supply, comprising the normal mains
a standby supply, with central
control equipment.

Grade C system
Central
Control
Mains
Supply
Smoke
alarm
Smoke
alarm
Smoke
alarm
System may be mains
powered or ELV (12VDC)
Grades of system
Grade D
A system of one or more mains
powered smoke alarms, each with
an integral standby supply. (The
system may, in addition, incorporate
one or more mains-powered heat
alarms, each with an integral
standby supply)
Grade D system
Mains power
supply
Standard PVC
cable
Rechargeable cells PP3 Battery
OR
Grades of system
Grade E - mains smoke/heat alarms
with no standby supply
Grade F - battery powered
smoke/heat alarms
Categories of system
LD3 a system incorporating
detectors in all circulation spaces
that form part of the escape routes
from the dwelling.
Hallways, Landings
Open Plan Lounges, Sitting Room
Hallway Landing
Category LD3
Optical or
Multi-Sensor
Categories of system
LD2 a system incorporating
detectors in all circulation spaces
that form part of the escape routes
from the dwelling, and in all rooms
and areas that present a high fire
risk to occupants.
Same as LD3 plus Living Room &
Kitchen
Category LD2
Optical or
Multi-Sensor
Heat
Ionisation,
Optical or
Multi-Sensor
Hallway
Kitchen
Living Room
Landing

Remove
Protected
Enclosure
Sprinkler Protection,
plus enhance fire
detection and alarm
system (LD1)

Open plan LD2
Categories of system
LD1 a system installed throughout the
dwelling, incorporating detectors in all
circulation spaces that form part of the
escape routes from the dwelling, and in
all rooms and areas in which fire may
start, other than toilets, bathrooms and
shower rooms.
Landing Hallway
Bedroom
Bedroom
Bedroom
Dining Room
Living Room
Kitchen
Category LD1
Ionisation
Optical or
Multi-Sensor
Heat
Ionisation,
Optical or
Multi-Sensor
Category PD systems
PD1 as for an LD1 system
PD2 detectors in defined rooms/areas
Class of dwelling New Build
Existing to
BS5588-1
Existing not to
BS5588-1
Grade D, LD2
d
Grade F
e
, LD3
f
Grade D, LD2
g

Rented single storey Grade D, LD2
d
Grade F
e h
, LD3
f
Grade D, LD2
g

Owner occupied single
storey
Owner occupied 2 storey
Rented 2 storey
Grade D, LD2
d

Grade D, LD2
d

Grade F
e
, LD3
f
Grade D, LD2
g

Grade D, LD2
g
Grade D, LD3
f

3 Storey house
4 storey house
Grade D, LD2
d

Grade B, LD2
d

Grade D, LD3
f

Grade D, LD2
d

l

Grade D, LD2
g

Grade D, LD2
d

g

Minimum Grade and Category
No floor area greater than 200sqm
Class of dwelling New Build
Existing to
BS5588-1
Existing not to
BS5588-1
Grade D, LD2
d

2 storey
Grade A, Category LD2, with detectors sited in
accordance with recommendations of BS 5839-1 for
a Category L2
d

i j
system

Bungalow, flat
3 or more storey
Grade B, LD2
d

Grade D, LD3
f
Grade D, LD2
g

Minimum Grade and Category
One or more floor greater than 200sqm
Grade B, LD2
d i
Grade B, LD2
d g

Class of dwelling New Build
Existing to
BS5588-1
Existing not to
BS5588-1
1 and 2 storey
Individual dwellings
Grade D, LD2
d

Grade D, LD2
d

Grade D, LD3
l f

Grade D, LD3
n

Grade D, LD2
l g

Grade D, LD2
g

Communal areas Grade A, LD2 detectors installed to L2
Minimum Grade and Category
Houses in Multiple Occupation
New Build to BS 5839-6

Note d
Smoke alarms in hallway & landings
Heat alarm in Kitchen
Heat alarm or smoke alarm in principal
habitable room
1, 2 & 3 storeys - Grade D, Category LD2
d
x


Choice of system Existing
Rented single storey: Grade F
e
, Category LD3
f
Note e
Grade E if battery replacement an issue
Grade D if mains supply is suspect
Note f
Category LD2 if Risk Assessment dictates

Choice of system Existing
Rented 2/3 storey: Grade D, Category LD3
f
Note f
Category LD2 if Risk Assessment dictates

Houses in Multiple Occupation
1 or 2 storey: Grade D, Category LD3
l,f
Note l
Detectors in communal areas & circulation
spaces in each dwelling of 2 or more rooms.
Note f
Category LD2 if Risk Assessment dictates
Larger HMOs
Individual units: Grade D, Category LD3
n

Note n
Category LD2 if Risk Assessment dictates
Communal areas: Grade A, Category LD2
False alarms - commentary
False alarms cause disablement this part
of BS 5839 now places great emphasis on the
need to limit false alarms.
Quality equipment, correctly installed.
The correct alarm for the job
- Ionisation sited away from kitchens.
- Optical sited away from bathrooms.
- Heat rarely causes false alarm.
- Multi-sensor (Optical & Heat)could replace
optical
False alarms
Limitation of false alarms
Clause 12.2 Recommendations:
Grade D systems should have a silencing facility
providing that the facility can be operated when
standing at floor level.
Thank You