Fire alarm and detection to the FRA's category
A fire detection and alarm system — call points, smoke or heat detectors and sounders — designed and installed to the category (for example L2 or L3) your fire risk assessment says you need, to BS 5839-1.
A fire detection and alarm system — call points, smoke or heat detectors and sounders — designed and installed to the category (for example L2 or L3) your fire risk assessment says you need, to BS 5839-1.
This is the core life-safety system almost every fire risk assessment will require. The category dictates coverage and detector type, and a mismatched or self-installed system is one of the most common reasons a fire risk assessment fails.
Ask for BS 5839 design, installation and commissioning certificates matched to the category in your fire risk assessment.
Who this is for
Every venue serving the public — effectively all of them.
What you’ll hold
- BS 5839 design, installation and commissioning certificates
- As-fitted system drawing
- Zone chart
Watch out for
- Buying a generic domestic-grade alarm kit instead of a category-matched commercial system. This will fail a fire risk assessment review.
- No zone chart or as-fitted drawing left at the panel — the fire service and your insurer both expect this on site.
- Skipping commissioning tests, so the "certificate" you are handed only covers installation, not that the system actually works as designed.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Fire safety in the workplace: fire risk assessments checked 2026-09-08
See also
- Get a recorded fire risk assessment
- Emergency lighting to BS 5266
- Fire alarm service— this becomes an ongoing job once you’re open →
This is item 25 of 66 in the free UK Launch Checklist. See the whole list →