Fire Alarms
Practical guides on fire alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting and UK fire safety rules, written for installers, contractors and building managers.
Fire Alarms
Manual Call Points Explained: Types, Siting & Colours (BS 5839-1)
Manual call points let anyone raise the fire alarm. Learn the difference between Type A and Type B, resettable and glass elements, BS 5839-1 siting and height, call point colours, covers and weekly testing.
Fire Alarms
Addressable vs Conventional Fire Alarm Systems: Which Do You Need?
Conventional fire alarms show the zone in alarm; addressable systems show the exact device. Compare wiring, two-wire systems, protocols, costs and typical buildings to choose the right fire alarm panel.
Fire Alarms
Why Is My Fire Alarm Beeping? Causes & Fixes
A regular chirp usually means a low battery or an alarm at the end of its life. False alarms are usually caused by cooking fumes, steam or dust, and a beeping commercial panel normally signals a fault. Here's how to...
Fire Alarms
Weekly Fire Alarm Testing & Log Book Guide (BS 5839-1)
How to carry out the weekly fire alarm test using a different manual call point each week, what to record in your fire alarm log book, and why a competent person should service the system about every six months.
Fire Alarms
BS 5839-1 Fire Alarm Categories Explained: L1–L5, M, P1 & P2
BS 5839-1 defines eight fire alarm categories: M, L1–L5, P1 and P2. Learn what each covers, what changed in the 2025 edition, and who should decide which category your building needs.
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