Published: 9 March 2015
Category: Q&A
John asks this question, which concerns domestic smoke detection in a bungalow that is having extensions built. It has been answered by the NICEIC (Theme – Fire, Safety and Security):
This Q & A is one of thousands posted in our Technical Expertise area, and answered on a daily basis by our Voltimum Experts.
Question: Extensions are being built to the front and rear of a bungalow, together with internal alterations to room layouts within the main living area and an open plan kitchen. The house was constructed in 1979 and currently no mains or battery smoke alarms are fitted anywhere within the property.
Can you advise what smoke detection is required to comply with current Building Regulations?
Answer: There are two types of system that may need to be considered, depending upon the scopes of the layout of the building.
The local area Building Control officer should be able to express what level of detection is required. LD3 would need to cover the escape corridors of the new extension and existing corridors - such as the hallways and landings - with smoke detectors.
An LD2 would also require occupied rooms of higher than usual risk, such as a kitchen and living room, to have fire detection provided also. This may be smoke detection and a heat detector within the kitchen area.
Any judgment would need to be made following a fire risk assessment, carried out to comply with the current BS 5839-6 to ensure the earliest opportunity to raise alarm and evacuate the building upon the outbreak of any fire.
BS 5839-6:2013 is for the fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings - code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises.
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