This part of BS 5839 provides guidelines for planning, designing, installing, commissioning, and maintaining fire detection and fire alarm systems in buildings (excluding domestic premises). It covers systems ranging from simple set up with a few manual call points and sounders to complex, networked systems with numerous automatic fire detectors, manual call points, and sounders connected to multiple control and indicating panels. It includes systems that interface with other fire protection systems and safety measures but does not cover those systems themselves or their ancillary circuits.

Key exclusions:

Systems primarily for extinguishing or controlling fire, like sprinkler systems (except for using their signals as part of a fire alarm system).
Voice alarm systems (covered in BS 5839-8).
Systems combining fire alarm functions with non-fire-related functions (covered in DD CLC/TS 50398).
Public emergency call systems (999 or 112), manually or mechanically operated sounders, and way-guidance systems.
Specialized recommendations for electronic data processing installations (BS 6266) and hospitals (NHS Estates HTM 05-03 Part B in England and Wales, SHTM 82 in Scotland).

It also applies to extensions and alterations of existing systems concerning new work design, installation, commissioning, and certification.

1 Scope