Domestic Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems

Grade D Domestic Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems

The Government’s Fire Kills campaign states the startling revelation that “you are around 8 times more likely to die from a fire if you don’t have a working smoke alarm in your home.” From Home Office statistics there were a total of 167 fatalities and 4,531 non-fatal casualties in dwelling fires from April 2019 to March 2020. The biggest cause of the fatalities was due to being overcome by gas or smoke. In Scotland especially, following the Grenfell Tower fire, stronger fire and smoke alarm legislation is being introduced in 2022 that will increase fire safety in Scottish homes.

All domestic properties across the UK should have quality alarms in place to detect and alert residents of potential fire. BAFE strongly believe fatalities and injuries can be reduced (alongside reducing false alarms). Having appropriate fire detection and fire alarms (such as smoke alarms/heat alarms) will help in early detection, allowing more time to get to safety and alert the fire and rescue service.

In August 2021, BAFE launched a Scheme called BAFE DS301 which covers Grade D fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises. This Scheme exists to deliver quality, independent evidence that contractors are competent to deliver design, installation, commissioning and/or maintenance Grade D domestic fire detection and fire alarm system services.

The BAFE DS301 Scheme supports appropriate British Standards and best working practice. Most notably this will be BS 5839-6 Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic buildings.

“BS 5839-6 sets out the latest recommendations for fire detection and fire alarm systems in both new and existing domestic premises in order to make them safer to live in.” - https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/our-services/product-certification/industry-sector-schemes/fire-testing-and-certification/bs-5839-6/

All legislation, standards, codes of practice and technical literature that “should be held by an organization that is operating this BAFE Scheme” can be found in Clause 4.1 of the BAFE DS301 Scheme Document.

Particular individuals under the organization’s BAFE DS301 Third Party Certification/BAFE Registration will be recorded:

“Principal Duty Holder (PDH) – the person appointed by the Organization to have responsibility for the maintenance of the overall standard and safety of the fire detection and fire alarm system work.” - Clause 3.12 Key Personnel (Also see Clause 10.6 Responsibilities and requirements of the Principal Duty Holder)

“Qualified Supervisor (QS) – a Competent Person who meets the requirements of the BAFE DS301 Scheme and with specific responsibility on a day-to-day basis for the safety, technical standard and quality of the fire detection and fire alarm system work.” – Clause 3.12 Key Personnel (Also see Clause 10.7 Requirements relating to a Qualified Supervisor)

This is to acknowledge a chain of responsibility of “personnel that have a significant influence on a system” for maintaining competency and accountability for organizations working under BAFE DS301 Registration.

Certificates of Compliance for all work undertaken by the DS301 Third Party Certificated/BAFE Registered organization must be issued “as provided by the Organization’s TPCB” [Third Party Certification Body]. BAFE Registered organizations for this Scheme cannot produce/issue these in their own format and must request these from their Certification Body. - Clause 9.2

Finding a BAFE DS301 Grade D Domestic Fire Detection and Fire Alarm System Provider

If you require fire detection and fire alarm system works for your domestic property, you can find Third Party Certificated providers that can deliver design, installation, commissioning, and/or maintenance services for this by searching the BAFE Fire Safety Register. When using this, you should specify your requirement as ‘domestic fire detection/alarm systems’ in the options available. The results will show providers who are Third Party Certificated to specific modules of the BAFE DS301 Grade D Domestic Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems Scheme.

FIND A BAFE REGISTERED COMPANY

Why can’t I just use my current electrician to install my domestic fire alarm system?

It is a common misconception that all electricians have the same competency levels to fulfil all electrical work. This even applies to contractors that are members of large trade associations in the electrical sector, which note their ability to fulfil core electrical work but not necessarily additional electrical systems. With systems such as fire alarms, a more comprehensive understanding of these is required, following appropriate additional Standards and best working practice in the interest of life safety. The BAFE DS301 Scheme acknowledges this and allows contractors to evidence their competency to work with these types of system.

How do I know if my domestic property requires a Grade D fire alarm system?

A BAFE DS301 Third Party Certificated provider will be able to advise on what type of system is required. For reference, the British Standard for domestic fire alarm systems, BS 5839-6, was revised in 2019. This is the code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic buildings. This covers all types of domestic properties (such as owner occupied, rented buildings, HMOs and more) and informs on which type of systems should be present.

How should I specify this in my requirements for domestic fire detection and fire alarm work?

Specify: Third Party Certification/BAFE Registration to the BAFE DS301 Scheme for Grade D domestic fire detection and fire alarm work (noting the specific modules you require work for i.e. Design, Installation, Commissioning and/or Maintenance).

Further Information on BAFE DS301 and BS 5839-6

Please use the button below for a comprehensive list of questions answered from the Fire Safety Matters hosted webinar "Domestic fire detection and fire alarm systems - Doing them right" 24/08/2021 (in collaboration with NAPIT).

BAFE DS301 Domestic Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Webinar Q&A

Don’t Just Specify, Verify Third Party Certification

Before you agree fire alarm system work to begin on your domestic property, it is important to verify their Third Party Certification/BAFE Registration is appropriate for Grade D domestic fire detection and fire alarm system works – i.e. BAFE Registered to the BAFE DS301 Scheme. This is an important step to be fully diligent in your actions when finding a provider to assist in creating a safer environment to live in. You can verify a company’s Third Party Certification/BAFE DS301 Registration for Grade D domestic fire detection and fire alarm system works via the BAFE Fire Safety Register online or by contacting the BAFE office.

SEARCH THE BAFE FIRE SAFETY REGISTER

Every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date.

No legal responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions.

References/Further Information

Fire Kills Campaign

“You are around 8 times more likely to die from a fire if you don’t have a working smoke alarm in your home.”

Source: https://firekills.campaign.gov.uk (21/06/2021)

FIRE0505: Fatalities and non-fatal casualties in accidental dwelling fires

Source: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/922562/fire-statistics-data-tables-fire0505-011020.xlsx

FIRE0505: Fatalities and non-fatal casualties in accidental dwelling fires

Source: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/922563/fire-statistics-data-tables-fire0506-011020.xlsx

Scottish Government: Publication - Factsheet

Fire and smoke alarms: changes to the law

Source: https://www.gov.scot/publications/fire-and-smoke-alarms-in-scottish-homes/

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service: Fire and Smoke Alarms in Scottish Homes

https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/for-householders/fire-and-smoke-alarms-in-scottish-homes.aspx

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

Source: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/our-services/product-certification/industry-sector-schemes/fire-testing-and-certification/bs-5839-6/

Source: https://shop.bsigroup.com/ProductDetail?pid=000000000030417665