What Are The Fire Alarm System Categories In The Uk?

By Author: Your Choice Fire and Security
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In the United Kingdom, it is a legal requirement that the fire alarm at your business is fit for purpose and working properly. This is a requirement under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. it ensures all buildings, places and structures have a fire alarm in place. It does not include private homes.

Owning a business in the United Kingdom means you are responsible for ensuring that there is a working fire alarm and that it works properly, protecting your employees and visitors in the event of a fire. While you need to ensure you have a fire alarm, you also need to ensure it falls into the right category.

There are eight fire categories, defined by the BS 5839 code, which is the British standard for fire alarm installation, set out by the code of practice. Each category has three different system types, manual, life protection and property protection. The fire alarm you need is determined by the type of premises, the contents, nature of business and risk. The best way to identify which is the right fire alarm for your business is to use a professional fire and security company to conduct a fire risk ...
... assessment, enabling them to grade the fire alarm and identify what your business needs.

The eight fire alarm categories in the United Kingdom includes category M, which is a manual fire alarm, category L1, which is maximum life protection automated fire alarm and category L2, which is additional life protection automated fire alarm. Category L3 is the standard life protection automated fire alarm, while category L4, is the modest life protection automated fire alarm. Category L5 is localised life protection automated fire alarm, then there is P1, which is the maximum property protection automated fire alarm and P2, the minimum property protection automated fire alarm.

Manual fire alarms are the least sophisticated, relying on the building occupants to identify when a fire breaks out and warn others. The alarm is manually activated, usually using break glass units, which are installed at each exit point of a building. While they can be effective, they rely on the due reliance of individuals, increasing the risk of employee and visitor safety.

The fire alarms falling into the L category are most suitable when protecting life inside the building, they are designed into subcategories depending on the level of effectiveness. The L1 category is the most comprehensive with detectors throughout the building, the detectors are linked to the centralised alarm system, alerting the entire building in the event of a fire.

L2 fire alarms are additional life protection and include smoke detectors in all rooms, this includes corridors. They are installed in high-risk rooms, such as boiler rooms, rooms with heavy plant machinery and kitchens. They are early warning alerts for occupants working in these high-risk areas.

P category fire alarms are designed to protect the property and are determined based on the business and its operations. P1 fire alarms are detectors in all areas to protect the building. This ensures that any fires that break out can be detected and neutralised quickly and effectively.

P2 category alarms have detectors, which are installed in high-risk areas only, not providing the same high level of cover as the P1 systems. There is a wide variety of fire alarms and detectors suitable for your business. Identifying the right type of alarm should be discussed with your fire and security company.

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Your Choice Fire and Security is a leader in fire protection, access control, security alarms, risk assessments and COVID-19 solutions, backed by years of industry knowledge and experience. This well-established company, based in West Yorkshire in the United Kingdom, is BAFE Fire Security Registered and SSAIB Accredited. Your Choice Fire and Security offers first-class solutions for private and commercial clients with fully trained installation and maintenance teams, offering a nationwide service at competitive prices. The company offers technically advanced fire extinguishers, fire alarm solutions, introducer alarms, access control and CCTV solutions. Visit https://www.yourchoicefireandsecurity.co.uk to find out more.