Fire News

Why Your Fire Alarm System May No Longer Be Compliant

Posted on by hannah
Smoke detector and interlinked fire alarm in action background
14
May

If your building’s fire alarm system was installed to meet regulations at the time, it’s easy to assume it will always remain compliant. But fire safety isn’t static. As buildings evolve and people come and go, your fire detection and warning system must evolve too.

A fire alarm system that was compliant five, or even two years ago, may now be inadequate or non-compliant due to changes in layout, occupancy, or use of the premises.

In this post, we’ll explore the key reasons a fire alarm system can fall out of compliance and what you should do to keep your system up to standard.

Fire Alarm Compliance: A Quick Refresher

In the UK, the design, installation and maintenance of fire alarm systems are governed by:

  • BS 5839-1 (for non-domestic buildings)

  • BS 5839-6 (for domestic and HMO settings)

  • The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which places legal duties on the ‘responsible person’

  • Building Regulations (Approved Document B)

To remain compliant, your fire detection system must be “suitable and sufficient” for the risks present in your building. That means if the risks change, your fire system might need to change too.

Why a Previously Compliant System May No Longer Be Fit for Purpose

1. Changes in Building Layout

Have you added partition walls? Converted an open-plan area into offices? Knocked rooms through? Even minor alterations can:

  • Block or change escape routes

  • Create new compartments that aren’t covered by detection

  • Affect the sound propagation of alarms

  • Introduce dead zones where smoke won’t be picked up

💡 Solution:
Fire alarm zones and detector coverage should be updated any time you significantly alter the internal layout. This includes refurbishments, extensions, and fit-outs.

2. Change in Building Use or Function

A building previously used as an office may now operate as a clinic, nursery, or short-term accommodation. These changes can increase fire risk or require more sensitive or advanced detection systems.

For example:

  • A classroom repurposed as a staff canteen may now require a heat detector rather than a smoke detector

  • A meeting room converted into a storage area for flammable stock may warrant enhanced coverage

💡 Solution:
Reassess the fire alarm system whenever the purpose or function of an area changes. The system must suit the current fire risks, not the original design use.

3. Increased Occupancy or Staff Numbers

More people means more risk. An office designed for 10 staff may now house 25. This increases:

  • The likelihood of fire (more equipment, more activity)

  • The importance of early detection

  • The need for clear evacuation signalling

BS 5839 recommends different alarm categories (e.g. Category L1, L2, L3) depending on risk levels and occupancy. A higher headcount could push your building into a new risk bracket.

💡 Solution:
Revisit your fire strategy if your occupancy changes significantly, even if the physical layout remains the same.

4. New Regulations or Standards

Fire safety standards are updated periodically. Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy, for example, fire regulations and guidance for residential blocks, HMOs and cladding systems have all been tightened.

💡 Solution:
Stay up to date with the latest versions of BS 5839 and changes to building regulations. An audit by a fire safety professional can confirm whether your system still complies.

5. Poor or Irregular Maintenance

Even a well-designed system can drift out of compliance if it’s not properly maintained. This includes:

  • Outdated panels or detectors

  • Broken or missing call points

  • Alarms that no longer meet sound level requirements

  • Changes made to wiring or circuits without updating drawings

BS 5839-1 recommends six-monthly maintenance inspections by a competent person, along with weekly user checks.

💡 Solution:
Ensure your maintenance is up to date and fully documented in a fire safety logbook.

6. Uncontrolled Modifications

Sometimes systems are modified without the full implications being understood. For example:

  • Removing detectors during a refurbishment and forgetting to replace them

  • Disabling alarm zones during construction and not reactivating them

  • Extending a building without updating alarm coverage or zoning

These oversights can render an entire system non-compliant, even if it’s functioning as installed.

💡 Solution:
All changes to a fire alarm system should be reviewed by a qualified fire alarm contractor. Keep updated plans showing zone layouts and detector types.

How to Check If Your Fire Alarm Is Still Compliant

  1. Review your current fire risk assessment
    If it’s more than 12 months old, or if your building has changed, arrange for a new assessment.

  2. Check your fire alarm maintenance records
    Are inspections and tests being carried out at the recommended intervals?

  3. Inspect your fire alarm logbook
    Does it include accurate zone drawings, test logs, fault history, and detector information?

  4. Consult a qualified fire safety contractor
    A specialist can evaluate your current system and advise whether it still meets the required standards.

 

 

Final Thoughts

Just because your fire alarm system passed inspection a few years ago doesn’t mean it’s still suitable for your building today. Any change in layout, use, occupancy, or regulation can tip the balance and leave you legally exposed or, worse, unprotected in a real emergency.

At Martyn Young Fireproofing Consultancy, we offer expert advice on fire protection and prevention measures. Contact us today on 07585 896648