11.1 Commentary

The reliability of a fire detection and alarm system depends significantly on the reliability of its components. Under the Construction Products Regulations 2013, components like manual call points, detectors, and control and indicating equipment (CIE) must conform to harmonized European Standards and undergo type testing. Using components certified under a recognized product certification scheme, which includes third-party certification and quality assurance assessments (e.g., BS EN ISO 9000), is advisable.

If no relevant standards exist, ensure components are fit for purpose, potentially through third-party approval against appropriate test standards. Conformance to standards does not guarantee inter-component compatibility, so system designers must consider compatibility, which can be confirmed using BS EN 54-13.

11.2 Recommendations

The following recommendations are applicable.

a) Manual Call Points: Must conform to BS EN 54-11 Type A ("single action") and are recommended to have a protective cover.

NOTE 1 This part of BS 5839 recommends that a protective cover is fitted to a Type A manual call point, see 20.2b).

b) Point Heat Detectors: Must conform to BS EN 54-5 for Class A1 or A2 detectors, or Class B-G if ambient temperatures are 40°C or above.

c) Point Smoke Detectors: Must conform to BS EN 54-7.

d) Flame Detectors: Must conform to BS EN 54-10.

e) Optical Beam Smoke Detectors: Must conform to BS EN 54-12.

f) Aspirating Smoke Detectors: Must conform to BS EN 54-20.

g) Radio Links: Components and systems using radio links must conform to BS EN 54-25.

h) Multi-Sensor Detectors (Optical and Heat): Must conform to BS ISO 7240-15, BS EN 54-29, or BS EN 54-5 and BS EN 54-7.

i) Multi-Sensor Detectors (Carbon Monoxide and Heat): Must conform to BS ISO 7240-8 or BS EN 54-30.

j) Multi-Sensor Detectors (Smoke, Carbon Dioxide, and Heat): Must conform to BS EN 54-31.

k) Multi-Sensor Detectors with Disablement Facility: Must meet performance requirements of the relevant BS EN 54 part for the active sensor.

l) Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Must conform to BS EN 54-26.

m) Control and Indicating Equipment (CIE): Must conform to BS EN 54-2 with appropriate facilities for system conformity.

NOTE 2 BS EN 54-2 contains optional performance characteristics which are not necessarily provided in all CIE, even if third-party certificated against BS EN 54-2. It needs to be ensured that the CIE provided has appropriate facilities to enable conformity to all the recommendations of this British Standard and the project specification.

n) Audible Fire Alarm Devices: Must conform to BS EN 54-3.

o) Visual Alarm Devices: Must conform to BS EN 54-23; wireless versions are acceptable if they meet relevant performance requirements.

NOTE 3 Wireless audible and visual alarm devices are outside the scope of BS EN 54-3 and BS EN 54-23 respectively, but this does not preclude their use in a system that conforms to this part of BS 5839, provided the devices satisfy the relevant performance requirements of these standards.

p) Power Supply Equipment: Must conform to BS EN 54-4.

q) Cables: Must adhere to Clause 26 recommendations.

r) Software-Controlled CIE: Must conform to BS EN 54-2 for systems requiring program and data storage.

s) PC or IT Equipment: Used as a user interface in networked systems, considered supplementary and must be used with BS EN 54-2 compliant CIE nearby.

t) Radio Paging Transmitters and Receivers: Must conform to relevant British or European Standards.

u) Alarm Transmission and Fault Warning Routing Equipment: Must meet product requirements specified in BS EN 54-21.

These standards ensure components meet necessary performance and safety criteria for effective fire detection and alarm systems.

NOTE 4 Some elements of a) to r) may be combined to form a single device.

11 System components