BS5839 - 1 2002 : How does it affect you ?

Home > News > BS5839 - 1 2002 : How does it affect you ?

BS 5839-1:2002 service and maintenance of Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm Equipment

On 15th October 2002, revisions were made to the British Standard relating to the installations and Maintenance of Fire Alarms (BS 5839). It was last updated over 10 years ago in 1988 and since then, there have been changes in technology and changes in custom and practice with respect to the design, installation and servicing of automatic fire detection systems. The new standard takes in to account these changes.

The 1988 edition of the standard will be withdrawn on the 15th July 2003.

Implications of the standard amendments

Improved Level of Service

BS5839-1:2002 calls for increased checks to be carried out on each service visit with a new emphasis on the continued suitability or the system in line with building use and the nature of occupancy, as well as further testing and recording of system performance, with a particular emphasis on "false alarm management".

These changes require additional training and the introduction of new competencies and skills for our service technicians. Dependant on the nature of the fire system and the environment in which it is used the servicing and attention necessary to comply with BS5839 will increase. However, in the majority of cases we do not see that any changes to our current pricing structure will be necessary. Although the frequency of visits may be altered, this would be subject to a fire system survey carried out by one of our service technicians.

Under the new changes you can expect our engineers to:

Managing False Alarms

In 2001, the fire and rescue services attended over 481,100 false alarms. Too many false alarms can prejudice the safety of occupants, who may not react correctly when the system responds to a real fire and places an unnecessary burden on the fire and rescue services.

The revised changes have included measures to limit false alarms, and this responsibility does not just lie with system designers; companies who have a fire alarm have a responsibility to service and maintain these systems and take due care to limit false alarms.

Fire Log Books

The recent changes now require users of an automatic fire detection and alarm system to not only log that there has been a false alarm on the system, but also to categorise the type of false alarm.

False alarms are classified as:

Unwanted alarms - alarms caused by fumes from cooking, steam, tobacco, dust, insects, etc

Equipment False Alarms - alarms due to faults with the equipment

Malicious False Alarms - alarms arising from a malicious use of a call point

False Alarms with good intent - these occur when an individual suspects there is a real fire and raises the alarm.

Unknown - where the cause of the false alarm is not certain

Listing the types of false alarms in your log book will aid the investigation in to the cause.

Logbook

Reducing the number of service visits

The standard now states that the number of service visits for your fire alarm system should be based upon a fire survey of your system and should be a minimum of twice a year.

A Premier Fire Systems engineer who looks after your system and is familiar with your site will be the best person to advise you on the number of service visits you should have.

Fire Alarm Monitoring

It is now recommended that where the building is not continuously occupied, there should be some means of automatic transmission of a fire signal to an alarm receiving centre. It also states that if the early summoning of the fire service is considered critical to the safety of the occupants, Alarm monitoring is always recommended

Variations and Non Compliance

Under BS 5839-1:2002, we are now obliged to inform you of any variations and non compliances to the new standard if your system has been installed to the previous standard. Whilst there is no legal obligation to upgrade, this audit may help you make enhancements that will improve the effectiveness of your system.