BS 5839-1 : 2025 replaces the 2017 edition and refines how fire-alarm systems are designed, documented and maintained in non-domestic premises.
It clarifies the roles of designers, installers and building operators, and strengthens expectations around competence, record-keeping and false-alarm management.
False-Alarm Management
Frequent unwanted activations remain a major industry issue.
The new standard calls for every false alarm to be logged, investigated and reviewed, with evidence of corrective action where causes repeat.
Walker Fire engineers now include false-alarm audits within scheduled fire-alarm servicing.
Documentation and Handover
Clause 6 stresses the need for complete, traceable documentation:
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system category and drawings
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commissioning and verification certificates
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maintenance schedules aligned to BS 5839-1 : 2025
This ensures transparency between design, installation and maintenance teams.
Learn more about compliant fire-alarm design and installation.
Testing and Competence
Testing intervals remain the same but competency guidance is clearer:
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Weekly – a responsible person tests one manual call point
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Six-monthly – a competent, BAFE-certified company services the system
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Annually – a full performance review is carried out
Stay compliant with regular weekly fire-alarm testing.
Responsible Person Duties
Duty-holders must ensure testing is completed, faults are rectified promptly, and records are kept for inspection.
Failure to evidence these duties can now constitute non-compliance, even with a maintenance contract in place.
In Summary
BS 5839-1 : 2025 strengthens life-safety assurance through better documentation, verified competence and consistent testing.
Walker Fire’s BAFE-accredited engineers are trained on the 2025 updates to keep your systems compliant, traceable and audit-ready.