What BS 5839 fire detection category does my commercial property need?

BS 5839-1 categorises non-domestic fire alarm systems by purpose: Category L1 (life-protection, full coverage of all areas), L2 (life-protection in specific high-risk and escape-route areas), L3 (life-protection on escape routes only), L4 (life-protection on escape routes plus specified areas), L5 (custom life-protection design), P1 (property-protection full coverage), P2 (property-protection specific areas), and Category M (manual call points only). The right category depends on building risk, occupancy, fire-strategy assessment and any insurer or licensing condition. Flextec Limited designs to the category your building risk requires — never default-spec L1 to inflate the quote, never default M to undercut a competitor on a brief that needs L2 or L3.

How the category gets chosen

The fire risk assessment drives the recommendation. Where one is not in place, Flextec walks the building, considers occupancy and escape routes, and proposes a category with rationale at survey. The Responsible Person signs off the category before install.

Fire alarm service details · Why Flextec for Humber fire detection · Request a survey.

By Sam Davis, Founder — 40+ years combined Yorkshire commercial security experience. Read more about Sam.