Locations Where a Fire Door Must Be Situated
| Location |
3 or More Storeys |
2 Storeys |
Single Level (Flats) |
| Kitchen |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Living room(s) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Bedrooms |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Cupboards on escape route (housing gas/electric meters or storing combustibles) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Other rooms on escape route with gas-burning appliances |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Unoccupied basements |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Front entrance door from street |
No |
No |
No |
| Front entrance door from common hall/staircase |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Smoke and Heat Alarms and Detection
Minimum Locations for Hard-Wired, Interlinked Alarms (with Battery Backup)
| Location |
3 or More Storeys |
2 Storeys |
Single Storey (Flats) |
| Heat Detector/Sounder |
|
|
|
| Kitchen |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Smoke Detector/Sounder |
|
|
|
| Living room(s) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Bedrooms |
Yes |
No (Yes for inner rooms) |
No (Yes for inner rooms) |
| Common parts |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Fire Detection System Grades (BS 5839: Pt.6)
| Grade |
Description |
| Grade F |
Battery-powered smoke/heat alarms |
| Grade E |
Mains-powered interlinked alarms (no backup supply) |
| Grade D |
Mains-powered interlinked alarms with integral standby battery (hardwired or radio-interlinked) |
| Grade C |
Detectors and sounders connected to a common power supply with central control equipment |
| Grade B |
Detectors and sounders with control/indicating equipment to BS EN 54-2 and power supply to BS EN 54-4 |
| Grade A |
Full fire detection system with control/indicating equipment to BS EN 54-2 and power supply to BS EN 54-4, installed to BS 5839: Pt.1 |
Note: Grade D is required for:
- New owner-occupied buildings up to 3 storeys
- Two-storey rented properties
- Existing owner-occupied buildings with more than 2 storeys
- Very large storeys (>200 m²) may require Grade B
Backup Power
- Alarms should have a reliable, ideally rechargeable and sealed-in backup battery
- Minimum backup duration: 72 hours
- Longer backup may be justified where tenants may experience power disconnection
Categories of Protection
| Category |
Description |
| LD1 |
Detectors in all circulation spaces forming escape routes and all rooms where fire might start (except bathrooms/toilets) |
| LD2 |
Detectors in all circulation spaces forming escape routes and all high-risk rooms |
| LD3 |
Detectors in all circulation spaces forming escape routes only |
