Fire Alarm Categories

What are the Fire Alarm System Categories?

There are eight main types of fire alarm categories, each designed to cater to the unique requirements of your property. These requirements are dependent on a number of variables, such as the kind of property you own, the nature of your business, the kind and value of the things inside the structure, and the degree of fire risk involved. The following eight types of fire alarms:

• Category M – Manual fire alarm system
• Category L1 – Maximum life protection automated fire alarm system
• Category L2 – Additional life protection automated fire alarm system
• Category L3 – Standard life protection automated fire alarm system
• Category L4 – Modest life protection automated fire alarm system
• Category L5 – Localised life protection automated fire alarm system
• Category P1 – Maximum property protection automated fire alarm system
• Category P2 – Minimum property protection automated fire alarm system

Category M – Manual Fire Alarm Systems

Category M means manual fire alarm systems, and this represents the simplest form of fire alarm systems, depending on the ability of building occupants to detect a fire and initiate an alarm. In the event of a fire, it becomes the responsibility of individuals within the building to manually activate the alarm, thereby notifying others about the imminent danger.

In this setup, employees play a pivotal role in activating the alarm manually when they identify a fire.

This collective approach to safety ensures that, in the event of a fire, occupants take the initiative to raise the alarm. A common example of a manual fire alarm system is the installation of manual call points (MCPs) at exit points in a building, enabling individuals to initiate the alarm as they evacuate.

Category L – Life Protection

Fire alarm systems categorized as “L” are considered to be the most appropriate for ensuring the safety of occupants within a building. These systems are further classified into five sub-categories based on their efficacy levels.

Category L1 Fire Alarm System – Maximum life protection

Category L2 Fire Alarm System – Additional life protection

Category L2 fire alarm systems are designed with smoke detectors strategically placed in all escape routes, including rooms and corridors, as well as high-risk areas such as kitchens, boiler rooms, and locations housing heavy machinery. These detectors ensure early detection of fire hazards in critical areas of the building, enhancing safety for all occupants.

This system is highly effective in providing an early warning to those located both near and far from the fire source, especially in high-risk zones. Category L2 is commonly implemented in factories, industrial facilities, and medium-sized residential buildings, where prompt fire detection is essential for protecting both people and property.

Category L3 Fire Alarm System – Standard life protection

Category L3 fire alarm systems are designed with smoke detectors installed in all escape routes as well as rooms that lead onto these routes. The primary objective is to give occupants enough time to evacuate before fire, smoke, or toxic fumes block their exits, ensuring safe passage out of the building during an emergency.

This fire alarm system is ideal for medium-sized office buildings and commercial properties that feature staircases and multiple exits, where quick detection and alerting are critical to preventing entrapment during a fire.

Category L4 Fire Alarm System – Modest life protection

Category L4 fire alarm systems focus on installing detectors in escape route areas, such as corridors and stairways. These detectors ensure that circulation spaces, which form key parts of escape routes, are monitored to provide early warning in the event of a fire. For properties that fall within this category, detectors in these areas help ensure that evacuation paths remain safe and unobstructed.

This system is typically adopted in low-risk properties, such as single-story office buildings, where occupants have quicker access to exits and require minimal time to evacuate safely.

Category L5 Fire Alarm System – Localised life protection

Category L5 fire alarm systems are specifically designed to address unique fire hazards in specific areas of a building. These systems are ideal for rooms or zones that present a heightened fire risk due to stored materials or specific business operations. In many cases, an L5 fire alarm is installed alongside a broader system, such as Category L4, to offer targeted protection in areas of increased vulnerability.

This type of system provides a tailored solution to mitigate elevated risks within particular rooms, ensuring that these high-risk areas receive the focused protection they require.

Category P – Property Potection

The P-category fire alarm systems are aimed at protecting property. A system can be classified under this category when assessing the potential impact of fire on a business and its operations.

Category P1 Fire Alarm System

A P1 fire alarm system involves installing detectors in all areas of the building. This type of system is aimed at safeguarding critical facilities for business operations.

By implementing comprehensive protection throughout the site, those responsible for fire safety can quickly detect and respond to any fire incidents, reducing the risk of damage and disruption and the financial impact on the company.

Category P2 Fire Alarm System

A category P2 fire alarm system features fire detectors installed in high-risk areas only. Although it doesn’t offer the same coverage as a P1 system, it provides early detection of the most probable fire sources.

This early detection shortens the response time of fire services and helps to minimize property damage and business losses.

Is the Category of my Fire Alarm Important?

Ensuring the safety of your business premises goes beyond protecting assets—it requires full compliance with essential fire safety regulations, particularly the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This law applies to nearly all types of buildings, excluding individual private homes, and mandates that business owners meet stringent fire safety standards. One key responsibility is determining the correct fire alarm category for your premises.

To choose the right fire alarm system, you must assess various factors, including the type of building, the nature of your business, the value of the contents, and the associated fire risks. The British Standard BS 5839 outlines eight fire alarm categories, divided into three system types: manual systems, life protection, and property protection.

Compliance with the Fire Safety Order and selecting the appropriate fire alarm category ensures the safety of everyone on your premises during a fire emergency. We highly recommend consulting a professional fire protection engineer for expert advice and proper installation of your fire alarm system.

By conducting a professional fire risk assessment, led by qualified fire safety experts, you can accurately determine the most suitable fire alarm system for your business. This thorough evaluation identifies your fire risks and recommends systems that offer optimal protection for both your employees and your property.

To ensure your business is fully equipped with the appropriate fire alarm system, book a fire risk assessment with our team of fire safety specialists. Taking proactive steps to safeguard your premises ensures compliance and peace of mind, protecting both people and property.

Selecting the Right Fire Alarm System

When choosing the ideal fire alarm system, factors like building size, occupancy, fire risk level, and specific requirements identified through a fire risk assessment are key considerations. Consulting with our experts at Cobra Fire and Security offers valuable guidance for an informed decision.

Optimal safety for occupants and property hinges on selecting the right fire alarm system. Acquaint yourself with various categories and their features to make an informed decision tailored to your needs. Conducting a thorough fire risk assessment and seeking professional advice from Cobra Fire and Security ensures your chosen system provides optimal protection in case of a fire.

Cobra Fire and Security possesses the knowledge to help your business meet legal requirements in fire safety, including legislation on fire alarms. Take a moment to explore our website for more articles and guides covering services like fire risk assessments, fire alarm installation and fire alarm maintenance, advisory services, and insightful articles on fire safety provisions, along with our Top Fire Safety Tips!”

Reviewed: 18/09/2024 Our articles are reviewed regularly. However, any changes made to standards or legislation following the review date will not have been considered. Please note that we provide abridged, easy-to-understand guidance. To make detailed decisions about your fire safety provisions, you might require further advice or need to consult the full standards and legislation.