National Security Inspectorate

Sentinel House, 5 Reform Road, Maidenhead, SL6 8BY

E: nsi@nsi.org.uk | W: nsi.org.uk

Fire detection & fire alarm systems BS 5839-1:2017 compliance

checklist

Certificated / applicant company:      

Report number:      
Company representatives:      
Customer / user:      
Location:      
User representatives:      
Restrictions made by user:      
(e.g. access and performance of tests)
Auditor:      
Date of audit:

Applicable modules System design

Installation
Commissioning and handover (inc. verification)

Note: This checklist does not cover maintenance

Name of company undertaking system design:      
A1 Module certificate issued: Yes No
Certificate number:      
Date:

Name of company undertaking installation:      

A1 Module certificate issued: Yes No
Certificate number:      
Date:

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 Fire detection & fire alarm systems BS 5839-1:2017 compliance checklist

Name of company undertaking commissioning & handover:      

A1 Module certificate issued: Yes No
Certificate number:      
Date:

A1 NSI certificate of conformity/modification issued*: Yes No

(*delete as appropriate)
Certificate number:      
Date:
Completion date of suppression system

Record agreed variations below (or attach copy of certificate with list of variations):
     

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Variations in relation to those items highlighted in bold type

could result in a major non-compliance

Relevant standard
& clause
(where applicable)

DESIGN MODULE
Specified standards applied:      
Has the correct NSI/BAFE certificate been
NSI Reg
A1 issued within one month of completion of the N/A Yes No A5.1.4
system?
5.2
A2 BS 5839 Category of system specified:       8.2(a)

Additional standards specified 5.2

A3       8.2(a)
(e.g. HTM05-03)
Specify whether system is Addressable (A) or
A N
Non-Addressable (N)
Is the category of system appropriate and 5
A4 Yes No Annex A
as specified in contract?
Is the specified standby power supply
A5 period suitable for the category of system Yes No 25.4(e)
and the level of supervision?
Does the system design proposal include all 8.2
A6 Yes No
the required information?
Has the system design taken into account any
A7 building regs (e.g. Part M) or Equality Act N/A Yes No 18
requirements?
Has an adequate O & M manual been
A8 provided detailing equipment, system N/A Yes No 40.2(b)
configuration, cause/effect etc?
Are design battery capacity calculations 25.4(e)
A9 N/A Yes No Annex D
available?
Have the correct quiescent and alarm 25.4(e)
A10 N/A Yes No Annex D
currents been used?

Category M/L
     
IQ at least 24 hours

IQ at least 6 hours if auto start generator      

Category P
IQ period of unoccupation + 24 hours up to 72      
hours

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Relevant standard
& clause
(where applicable)

IQ at least 24 hours if supervised (every six hours)

     
or fault monitoring by ARC

Is the battery capacity, as designed, 25.4(e) Annex D

A11 N/A Yes No
adequate?
A12 Assumptions/variations drawn to customer's 7.2(a)
N/A Yes No
attention at design/quotation stage?
Comments:
     

DOCUMENTATION
Are there satisfactory commissioning 39.2(c)
B1 N/A Yes No
records?
Have BS 5839 certificates for design,
B2 installation, commissioning & acceptance Yes No 41.2(a)(b)
been issued? (as applicable)
B3 Is there a record of agreed variations? N/A Yes No 40.2(e)

Have suitable user instructions/manuals been 40.2(b)

B4 N/A Yes No
provided to the customer?
B5 Are there satisfactory 'as fitted' drawings? N/A Yes No 40.2(c)

Have 'as fitted' drawings been provided to 40.2(c)

B6 N/A Yes No
the customer?
Has a logbook been provided to the 40.2(d)
B7 N/A Yes No
customer?
Are insulation resistance test results available 38.2(a)
B8 N/A Yes No
and satisfactory? (ELV wiring only)
Are test results for circuit parameters such as 38.2(d)
B9 N/A Yes No
loop continuity available and satisfactory?
Have 230V supply test records been supplied 38.2(c)
B10 N/A Yes No
by the electrical contractor/client?

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Relevant standard
& clause
(where applicable)

Comments:
     

INSTALLATION
C1 Are cables of a suitable type? N/A Yes No 26.2(b)(d)(e)

Are cables with 'enhanced' fire resistance 26.2(c)

C2 N/A Yes No
used where required?
Are cables adequately protected against 26.2(h)(k)
C3 N/A Yes No
mechanical damage?
C4 Are methods of cable support satisfactory? N/A Yes No 26.2(f)

Is there suitable segregation from other

26.2
C5 services and other fire alarm cables, where N/A Yes No (l), (m),(n)
required?
Are joints in cables terminated correctly?
C6 (applies only to joints external to FD&A N/A Yes No 26.2(g)
system components)
C7 Are all junction boxes suitably labelled? N/A Yes No 26.2(g)

Are fire alarm cables a single common 26.2(o)

C8 N/A Yes No
colour?
Comments:
     

MAINS POWER SUPPLIES

Has a suitable mains supply been 25.2
D1 N/A Yes No
provided?
Specifically:
D2 Is the continuity of supply satisfactory? Yes No 25.2(a)(b)(h)

D3 Is it a dedicated circuit? Yes No 25.2(b)

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Relevant standard
& clause
(where applicable)

Has means of safe isolation been provided

adjacent to all equipment requiring a mains 29.2(e)
D4 N/A Yes No
supply?
(see BS5839-1:2017, 29.2(e) Note 2)
D5 Is labelling satisfactory? Yes No 25.2(f)(g)

Is the supply independent of any RCD 25.2(i)

D6 Yes No
protection?
D7 Is wiring of a suitable type and segregated? Yes No 26.2(b)(c)

Do mains supply cables enter the CIE 26.2(k)

D8 N/A Yes No
separately?
Do separate mains supplies to other power
supply units remote from the control and 25.2(e)
D9 N/A Yes No
indicating equipment meet the above
criteria?
Comments:
     

CIRCUIT DESIGN
Does the area per loop satisfy the
E1 specified standards (addressable systems N/A Yes No 12.2.2(d)
only)?
Is there adequate short circuit isolation 12.2.2(c)
E2 N/A Yes No
(addressable systems only)?
Is there adequate tolerance to open circuit 12.2.2(c)
E3 N/A Yes No
faults?
Are there at least two sounder circuits (or 12.2.2(j)
E4 N/A Yes No 16.2.1(3i)
a suitable ring circuit with isolators)?
Are circuits monitored adequately?
E5 (e.g. are the correct indications given during Yes No 12.2.1
fault conditions?)

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Relevant standard
& clause
(where applicable)

Comments:
     

ZONING
F1 Is the detection/alarm zoning adequate? Yes No 13/14

F2 Is a zone plan displayed? N/A Yes No 23.2.2(e)

Specifically, does the area per detection zone 13.2.3(a)

F3 Yes No
comply with specified standards?
Does the search distance comply with
13.2.3(b)
F4 specified standards? (60m maximum, but may N/A Yes No 13.2.4(b)
not apply to addressable systems)
Are MCPs assigned to the relevant 13.2.1(a)
F5 N/A Yes No
accommodation zone?
Are staircases and other vertical shafts zoned 13.2.3(c)
F6 N/A Yes No
separately?
Do the boundaries of alarm zones comprise
F7 fire-resisting construction (not external N/A Yes No 14.2(a)

walls)? (phased evacuation only)

Do the boundaries of alarm zones coincide
F8 with the boundaries of detection zones? N/A Yes No 14.2(d)

(phased evacuation only)

Comments:
     

MANUAL CALL POINTS

G1 Are call points single action operation? Yes No 20.2(a)

G2 Are call points fitted with protective covers? Yes No 20.2(b)

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Relevant standard
& clause
(where applicable)

Is an “evacuate” signal sounded within 3 20.2(c)

G3 Yes No
seconds of operation of any MCP?
G4 Is call point location and siting appropriate? Yes No 20.2(d)
20.2
G5 Is there adequate provision of call points? Yes No (e)(f)(g)(h)

Are call points mounted at the appropriate 20.2(i)

G6 Yes No
height? (1400mm above FFL ± 300mm)?
Are call points sited to take into account the
potential for accidental damage/operation 35.2.2(b)
G7 N/A Yes No
and/or have they been fitted with suitable
guards/covers where required?
Are suitable IP rated call points used in areas 35.2.2(c)
G8 N/A Yes No
exposed to moisture?
Are call points sited to take into account the
G9 potential for malicious operation in shopping N/A Yes No 35.2.2(d)

complexes, bars, etc?

G1 Do call points remain operable when a 12.2.2(e1)
Yes No
0 detector is removed?
Comments:
     

AUTOMATIC DETECTORS
Are the areas in which automatic fire
H1 detection is provided, sufficient for the N/A Yes No 8.2

category of system?
Are the types of detector used 21.2
H2 Yes No
appropriate?
H3 Is detector spacing appropriate? Yes No 22.3

Are ceiling heights within the limits for 22.9

H4 Yes No
the detector type used?
Is detector siting appropriate? Yes No 22.2

Specifically, is siting/spacing satisfactory in

relation to:
H5 enclosed landings & stairways? N/A Yes No 22.2(b

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Relevant standard
& clause
(where applicable)

shaft/riser openings into

H6 accommodation areas (except L4, L5 & N/A Yes No 22.2(c)

P2)?
22.2(d)
H7 voids >800mm? N/A Yes No 22.3(g)

H8 lantern lights >800mm? N/A Yes No 22.2(e)

H9 walls? N/A Yes No 22.3(g)

H10 ceiling obstructions? N/A Yes No 22.3(i)

H11 partitions & storage racks? N/A Yes No 22.3(j)

H12 deep beams? N/A Yes No 22.3(k)

H13 honeycomb ceiling? N/A Yes No 22.3(l)

H14 perforated ceilings? N/A Yes No 22.3(m)

H15 air conditioning/ventilation outlets? N/A Yes No 22.3(o)

H16 clear space below detector (500mm)? N/A Yes No 22.3(p)

Have optical beam detectors been

H17 sited/installed to the recommendations of N/A Yes No 22.5

BS5839-1: 2017?
Are the detectors mounted within the 22.3(e)
H18 Yes No
appropriate limits below the ceiling?
Are remote indicator lamps provided where 13.2.5
H19 N/A Yes No
required?
If BS 6266 is specified, are the specific
H20 recommendations for detector type, N/A Yes No BS 6266

spacing and siting satisfied?

If BS 7273-1 is specified, are the specific
recommendations for detector type, BS 7273-1
H21 N/A Yes No
spacing and siting satisfied? (Interfaces
for suppression systems)
If BS 7273-4 is specified are the BS 7273-4
H22 N/A Yes No
recommendations satisfied?
Are detectors sited at, or near, the apex of 22.3(d)
H23 N/A Yes No
the roof?

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 Fire detection & fire alarm systems BS 5839-1:2017 compliance checklist

Relevant standard
& clause
(where applicable)

Comments:
     

AUDIBLE AND VISUAL ALARMS

Does the sounder layout appear suitable for 16.2.1
J1 N/A Yes No
the sound levels required?
Have sound levels been measured and any 39.2(c5)
J2 N/A Yes No
shortfalls identified?
Are the sounders of an appropriate type (e.g. 16.2.1(b)(c)
J3 Yes No
in relation to frequency)?
Where music levels >80dB(A), is the music 16.2.1(d)
J4 N/A Yes No
muted when the alarm sounds?
Can the fire service be summoned without 15.2(c)
J5 N/A Yes No
interference from the fire alarm system?
Does the provision of fire alarm warnings for
J6 people with impaired hearing meet the N/A Yes No 18.2

recommendations of clause 18.2?

Have visual alarms been provided where 17.2(a
J7 N/A Yes No
required?
Are the visual alarms adequate in terms of 17(b-f)
J8 N/A Yes No
colour and siting?
Is an external sounder/visual alarm provided 16.2.1(f)
J9 N/A Yes No
if required?
Do sound levels in hospitals comply with 16.2.3(a)
J10 N/A Yes No
HTM 05-03 (Part B) or SHTM 82?
Are visual alarm devices compliant with 11.2(o)
J11 N/A Yes No 17.2(e)(f)
BS EN54-23 and sited accordingly?

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Relevant standard
& clause
(where applicable)

Comments:
     

CONTROL AND INDICATING EQUIPMENT

Is compliance with EN54-2 and EN54-4 11.2(m)(p)
K1 Yes No
claimed? (or equivalent part to BS 5839)
Are functional requirements of EN54 39.2(c8)
K2 Yes No
satisfied? (or equivalent part to BS 5839)
23.2.1
K3 Is the siting appropriate? Yes No (a)(b)(g)

Is the area in which equipment sited

K4 protected by automatic detection (if N/A Yes No 23.2.1(f)

required)?
K5 Is internal workmanship satisfactory? Yes No
Are batteries for standby power supplies of a 25.4(b)
K6 Yes No
suitable type?
Are batteries marked with date of installation
K7 and can dates be read without disturbing the Yes No 25.4(c)

batteries?
Have the quiescent & alarm currents been 39.2(c21)
K8 Yes No
verified at commissioning?
Have the quiescent & alarm currents been 39.2(c21)
K9 N/A Yes No
verified for additional PSUs?
Is the battery capacity, as installed, 25.4(e)
K10 N/A Yes No
adequate?
Is the wiring to any separate power supply
K11 equipment/battery enclosures of a suitable N/A Yes No 26.2(b)

type?
Are the connections to power supply 12.2.2(l)
K12 N/A Yes No
equipment in separate housings duplicated?
Are PSU/batteries in separate enclosures 12.2.2(l)
K13 N/A Yes No
from the CIE fused at the remote end?
Do batteries connected in parallel give the 12.2.1(d)
K14 N/A Yes No
correct fault indications?

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Relevant standard
& clause
(where applicable)

Is the rating of the charger sufficient to 25.4(d)

K15 N/A Yes No
recharge the batteries within 24 hours?
Comments:
     

REMOTE TRANSMISSION OF ALARMS

15.2
L1 Is the FD&A system provided with an ATS? N/A Yes No (e)(f)(g)(h)

Is the telephone switch room or frame room 15.2(j)

L2 N/A Yes No
protected by AFD?
If “Cat P” is a fault signal transmitted in 25.4(e3)
L3 N/A Yes No
addition to fire signals, where required?
For Cat P systems, if no fault signal is
transmitted, is the battery standby capacity
L4 sufficient to maintain the system for at least N/A Yes No 25.4(e4)

24 hours longer that the unoccupied area

(max 72 hours)?
Is the wiring to/from the transmitter of a 15.2(l)
L5 N/A Yes No
satisfactory type and monitored?
If a dedicated fire ATS is provided, does the
L6 230Vac supply and the standby supply to the N/A Yes No 15.2(m)

ATS meet the requirements of clause 25?

Is the ATS PSU monitored for the required 12.2.1
L7 N/A Yes No
fault conditions by the CIE?
If fire alarm signals are transmitted via the
intruder ATS, is the standby battery capacity 15.2(n)
L8 N/A Yes No
of the intruder ATS sufficient for the category
of system?
Is the ARC used to monitor fire signals
certificated to BS 5979/BS 8591 and does it 15.2(i)
L9 N/A Yes No
have monitoring of fire signals within its
scope?

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 Fire detection & fire alarm systems BS 5839-1:2017 compliance checklist

Relevant standard
& clause
(where applicable)

Comments:
     

ANCILLARY SERVICES
Confirm that power is not supplied from
M1 the fire alarm system in the quiescent N/A Yes No 9.2(d)

state?
WORKMANSHIP
Good Satisfactory
What is the standard of workmanship?
Unsatisfactory Poor

Does the system conform to BS 7671 (as 37.2(a)

N1 Yes No
far as can be ascertained)?
Are cables securely fixed at the correct
N2 intervals with fire resistant fixings and are N/A Yes No 37.2(b)

they supported above suspended ceilings?

N3 Are cable holes fire stopped? N/A Yes No 37.2(l)(m)

Comments:
     

LIMITATION OF FALSE ALARMS

Has the correct type of detector been
P1 specified in each location to minimise the Yes No 35.2.3(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)
potential for false activations?

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Relevant standard
& clause
(where applicable)

Have optical beams detectors been

P2 installed and sited correctly to minimise N/A Yes No 35.2.3(g)(h)
the potential for false activations?
Are ASD systems configured for the 35.2.3(j)
P3 N/A Yes No
correct level of sensitivity?
Are carbon monoxide detectors sited to
P4 minimise the potential for false N/A Yes No 35.2.3(k)(l)
activations?
Are flame detectors sited to minimise the 35.2.3(m)
P5 N/A Yes No
potential for false activations?
Is system type appropriate to limit false 35.2.4
P6 N/A Yes No
alarms?
P7 Are suitable filtering measures applied? N/A Yes No 35.2.7.2

Filtering has not been applied to call

P8 points, heat detectors or sprinkler N/A Yes No 35.2.7.2(b)
systems.
Is the change of state in time related 35.2.7.2(c)
P9 N/A Yes No
systems an automatic function?
Have measures been taken to prevent
P10 false activations being initiated by N/A Yes No 35.2.7.2(g)
automatic sprinkler systems?
RADIO LINKED FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS
Has a comprehensive radio survey taken
Q1 place PRIOR to the installation Yes No 27.2(g)
commencing?
Have records of signal strength readings
and background noise levels taken at time 27.2(g4)
Q2 Yes No
of survey been retained for future
reference?
Do components comply with 27.2(a)
Q3 Yes No
BS EN 54-25?
Are all radio linked components supplied
Q4 from at least two independent power Yes No 27.2(b)
supplies?
Do power supplies for radio CIE meet the 25.2
Q5 Yes No
recommendations of clause 25?
Are antennae cables monitored for open 27.2(c)
Q6 Yes No
and short circuit conditions?
Do antennae cables external to
Q7 components meet the recommendations N/A Yes No 27.2(d)
of clause 26.2?

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Relevant standard
& clause
(where applicable)

Does the activated detector continue to

give a visual indication for at least 20 27.2(f)
Q8 Yes No
minutes after the activation (unless the
CIE has been reset)?
Do commissioning records include
information relating to the system coding
Q9 and details of the received signal levels N/A Yes No 27.2(i)
for ALL radio devices and the background
noise level?
Are records of signal levels kept on site 27.2(k)
Q10 Yes No
with the system log book?

FSF 350.7
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© NSI 2017