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Fire Alarm & Emergency Lighting Systems

Emergency Lighting, Fire Detection and Alarm Systems form an integral part of a buliding's fire strategy - designed to provide an early warning and safe evacuation in the event of an emergency such as fire or electrical failure. These systems help reduce the devastating effects of fire within buildings and help protect the life of people who occupy them.

This section gives advice on applying the right technical standards, latest news and updates to ensure you’re fully equipped to understand the complexities when installing these systems.

Standards set the benchmarks for good practice, professionalism and help provide assurance to clients and ensure their expectations are met. They also promote a culture that encourages the delivery of high quality services.

Applying the right standards is crucial when carrying out different areas of work; importantly they fulfil obligations under contract but ultimately obligations under Health and Safety and the Electricity at Work Regulations.

When designing, installing, commissioning, testing, inspecting or maintaining emergency lighting, fire detection and alarm systems, depending on the scope of work, a combination of the most recent edition of the following standards and guidance would apply:

Emergency Lighting:

BS 5266-1 Emergency lighting. Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises

BS EN 50172  Emergency escape lighting systems

BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations. IET Wiring Regulations

HSR 25 Guidance on The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

Fire detection and alarm systems:

BS 5839-1 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems in non-domestic premises

BS 5839-6 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises

BS 5839-8 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of voice alarm systems

BS 5839-9 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of emergency voice communication systems

BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations. IET Wiring Regulations

HSR 25 Guidance on The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

To see the full range of editable certificates - go to the Editable Certificates webpage​

To see the full range of guidance notes - go to the Guidance note web page

To see the full range of technical bulletins - go to the Technical Bulletins web page

To see the full range of application guides - go to the Application Guides web page