Overview
What this service covers and when to book
Fire alarm design, installation and servicing in Nottingham for homes, rentals, HMOs and businesses, to BS 5839. Site survey and fixed quote first.
Quick answer
The right fire alarm depends on the building, who lives or works in it, and what the law and your fire risk assessment require. Homes and rented homes are covered by BS 5839-6, and businesses and other non-domestic premises by BS 5839-1. Urgent Electrical Services surveys the building, recommends the right grade of system, gives a fixed written quote, then installs, certifies and maintains it.
Key facts
| Standards | BS 5839-6 for homes; BS 5839-1 for non-domestic premises |
| Private and social landlords (England) | A smoke alarm on every storey with living accommodation, plus a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance (not gas cookers) |
| Businesses | The "responsible person" must have a fire risk assessment and suitable fire detection and warning (Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005) |
| HMOs | Usually need an interlinked system covering escape routes and high-risk rooms. Nottingham HMO licences apply. |
| Servicing (commercial) | Inspection and servicing at least every 6 months; a call point tested weekly |
| Price | A fixed written quote after a survey |
Fire alarm rules for landlords
Private and social landlords in England must fit a smoke alarm on every storey with living accommodation, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (gas cookers excepted). They must also check the alarms work at the start of each tenancy, and repair or replace them once a tenant reports a fault. This is set out in the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022.
For a single home that only needs smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, see our smoke alarm installation page. This page covers fire alarm systems: interlinked and panel systems for larger homes, HMOs and businesses.
HMOs in Nottingham
Houses in multiple occupation need more fire protection than a single-family home, because more people share the escape routes. That usually means an interlinked system with detectors in escape routes and heat detectors in kitchens, and sometimes a control panel. Nottingham City Council licenses HMOs through its mandatory and additional HMO schemes. Licensing teams expect fire precautions that suit the property, and many councils use national LACORS fire safety guidance to judge them. We design to the property's layout and to what your licence or fire risk assessment requires.
BS 5839-6: fire alarm grades and categories for homes
The grade describes how the system is powered and connected:
| Grade | What it is | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| A | A full panel system with detectors, sounders and call points | Large homes, some larger HMOs |
| C | Detectors and sounders on mains power with standby, plus central control | Larger homes and HMOs |
| D1 | Mains-powered alarms with a tamper-proof built-in standby battery, interlinked | Most homes and rented homes |
| D2 | Mains-powered alarms with a user-replaceable standby battery | Older installations |
| F1 / F2 | Battery-only alarms (tamper-proof or replaceable) | Existing homes where mains wiring isn't practical |
The category describes how much of the home is covered:
| Category | Coverage |
|---|---|
| LD1 | Escape routes and every room where a fire could start, except bathrooms and toilets |
| LD2 | Escape routes plus higher-risk rooms, such as the kitchen and living room |
| LD3 | Escape routes only |
For most homes, the 2019 edition of the standard points to mains-powered, interlinked alarms (Grade D1) covering escape routes and higher-risk rooms (Category LD2). The right choice depends on the size, layout and use of the building, and we'll explain our recommendation after the survey.
BS 5839-1: systems for businesses
Non-domestic systems are categorised by what they protect:
| Category | Purpose |
|---|---|
| M | Manual call points only, for people to raise the alarm |
| L1 to L5 | Automatic detection to protect life, from whole-building cover (L1) down to specific areas (L5) |
| P1 / P2 | Automatic detection to protect property, whole building or specific areas |
Your fire risk assessment usually sets out which category you need. If you already have one, we design the system to it.
Conventional or addressable? A conventional system divides the building into zones and shows which zone has gone into alarm. It suits smaller shops, offices and cafés. An addressable system shows the exact detector, which suits larger or more complex buildings. Wireless systems avoid running cables, which is useful in listed buildings and premises that stay open during the work.
What's included in an installation
- Site survey. We look at the layout, escape routes, use and any existing system.
- Design. We choose the grade or category, and the position of every detector, sounder and call point.
- Fixed written quote. You know the full cost before work starts.
- Installation. We plan the work around your household or business.
- Commissioning. Every device and the whole system is tested.
- Certification and handover. You get design, installation and commissioning certificates, a logbook, and a demonstration of how to test the system.
Keeping your system working
| Who | How often | What |
|---|---|---|
| Building user (commercial) | Weekly | Test one manual call point, a different one each week, and log it |
| Householder or tenant | Monthly | Press the test button on each alarm |
| Competent person (commercial) | At least every 6 months | Inspection and servicing under BS 5839-1 |
| Anyone | Straight away | Investigate any fault showing on the panel. Never just silence it. |
We offer fire alarm inspection and testing to keep commercial systems compliant after installation.
Upgrading an old system
Common reasons to upgrade are:
- a new fire risk assessment that asks for better coverage
- a change of use, such as converting a house to an HMO
- frequent false alarms
- obsolete panel parts
- an extension or refurbishment
We can often keep parts of an existing system, such as cabling, if they're in good condition.
Fire alarms and emergency lighting
Most commercial premises, and many HMOs, need emergency lighting on the escape routes as well as a fire alarm. We install and test both. See emergency lighting.
Book a fire alarm survey
Call 0115 778 0622 or contact us to arrange a survey. You'll get a fixed written quote before any work starts.