
BS5839-1 Cable
Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings according to British Standard BS5839 Part 1
BS5839 cable is designed to meet the comprehensive British Standard BS5839-1 detailing a code of practice for the design, commissioning, installation and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in non-domestic buildings. These range from single manual call points to complex networked systems with numerous automatic fire detection and communicating control panels. The Standard covers the operation of fire protection systems such as smoke control, emergency lighting, automatic door release, fire alarm systems, voice alarm systems, fire extinguishing systems, and any associated safety measures such as elevator grounding, valve closing, or air handling shutdowns.
BS5839-1 cable product specification - standard / enhanced
In addition to complying with the specification set out in BS5839-1, when tested in accordance with EN 50200, Standard fire performance cables must achieve a class of at least PH30. They must also maintain circuit integrity for at least 30 minutes when exposed to a sequence of flame, mechanical shock and water spray. The requirement for Enhanced fire resistant cables is 120 minutes.
Enhanced fire resistant cables are also recommended for the following applications:
in unsprinklered buildings (or areas) in which the fire strategy involves evacuation of occupants in four or more phases |
In unsprinklered buildings of greater than 30m in height |
In unsprinklered premises and sites in which a fire in one area could affect cables of critical signal path associated with areas remote from fire, in which it is envisaged people will remain in occupation during the course of the fire |
In any setting where, on the basis of a fire risk assessment, the designer, specifier or regulatory authority considers that use of Enhanced fire resisting cables is required. |
The different parts of this Standard cover the variations in practice for domestic and non-domestic usage as well as other applications and should be referred to directly when commissioning and designing any project.
Other Standards referred to within BS5839-1
Alarm, systems & cable products covered within BS5839-1
The list of products, other than cables, covered under this standard include:Control and indicating equipment including voice alarm and power supplies |
Wireless, flame, beam, aspirating, smoke, heat and multi-sensor detectors |
Manual call points |
Line units including input and output devices |
Alarm warning devices including visual alarms, loudspeakers and sounders |
Alarm transmission equipment |
Signalling systems |
BS5389 cable products
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