Northern Ireland Leads The Way   (6/07) 

by Gerald Jones, Kidde Fyrnetics Business Manager  

A detailed analysis carried out by Kidde Fyrnetics of smoke and heat alarm requirements for homes has revealed major differences between the various national regulations around the UK and with the British Standard Code of Practice that they all claim to refer to.

Electrical contractors need to understand the recommendations of BS 5839 Part 6:2004 - Code of practice for the design, installation and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in dwellings. This document gives the most extensive, definitive guidance covering both new and existing homes, whether for single families or houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) consisting of self-contained units. While BS 5839 Part 6 is based on a risk assessment approach for each situation, it recognises that in most cases the guidance given can be applied as a minimum standard. However, if there are risk factors additional to those encountered in typical examples, a specific risk assessment may be called for.

EXTRA PROTECTION

The Code considers different ‘Grades’ - effectively the reliability of a system in terms of its power sources – including Grade D (interlinked mains smoke/heat alarms with backup power), Grade E (mains without backup power) and Grade F (battery only). Grade F is only suitable for a limited range of existing dwellings and only where there is a ‘reasonable certainty’ that batteries will be replaced when necessary. In all new homes and most existing, Grade D is now the recommended minimum standard – in other words hard-wired smoke and heat alarms with backup, installed by qualified electrical contractors, leading to a resulting growth in the market. Fortunately, this is one area where national Building Regulations are all now in agreement.

Next, the Code looks at ‘Category’ of system, defining in which areas of a home smoke/heat alarms are required. Category LD1 provides extensive protection throughout a property while Category LD3 covers just escape route circulation areas – in halls and landings. But the minimum recommendation in BS 5839 Part 6 for new housing and most existing homes (where structural fire precautions, such as floors, walls and doors, may not be up to standard) is Category LD2 – requiring alarms in Living Rooms (where fires might start) and a heat alarm in every Kitchen, as well as the usual smoke alarms in circulation areas. Electrical contractors should note that all specifications, statutory requirements by enforcing authorities, instructions and the relevant system certificate from the installer should clearly state:

• The Grade of System
• The Category of System
• For Category LD2, the rooms in which alarms should be located.

 COMPARING REGULATIONS

So, how do national Building Regulations compare with the Code of Practice?  Northern Ireland provides a shining example, with the current Technical Booklet E: 1994  (as amended 2000) referring extensively to BS 5839 Part 6, so that compliance with the Code simply meets the statutory requirements. In contrast, Scotland’s latest Domestic Technical Handbook, 2006 makes use of the out-of-date, 1995 Code of Practice, calling only for a Category LD3 system with just smoke alarms in halls and landings. Worryingly, Scotland has more than twice as many fire deaths per head of population than any other part of the UK. And the recently published Regulations for England and Wales call only for Category LD3 ‘…in accordance with the relevant recommendations of BS 5839-6:2004…’ - even though this directly conflicts with the Standard.

 So, the message for electrical contractors in Northern Ireland is simple: to achieve ‘best practice’ and to make sure that you meet Building Regulations simply follow the guidance in BS 5839 Part 6: 2004. Of course, the additional smoke and heat alarms required mean extra opportunities for installers – but they could also save lives. 

Kidde Fyrnetics has recently published an 8-page guide covering national Building Regulations, the Code of Practice and other requirements for fire and carbon monoxide safety in housing. It is available free of charge on www.smoke-alarms.co.uk using the ‘Contact us’ link.