Fire Testing

2. CODE OF PRACTICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH DIFFERENT STANDARDS
BS 5839-1:2002+A2:2008 (Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for
system design, installation, commissioning and maintenance).
This standard provides recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and  aintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in and around building, other than dwellings. It ecommends the use of fire resisting cables for mains power supply circuit and all critical signal path in such systems. It does not recommend whether or not a fire alarm system should be installed in any given premises. Cables are described in clause 26. This standard introduces two different levels of resistance of cables during a fire( standard and enhanced grade ).
BS 5839-6:2004 - Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for the design, installation and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in dwellings.
This code of practice covers every type of fire detection ‘system’, from a simple self-contained battery smoke alarm right through to major hard wired 24V systems.
BS 5839-6 also covers almost every conceivable type of premises, including:
Bungalows
Multi-storey houses
Individual flats
Individual maisonettes
Mobile homes
Individual sheltered accommodation
Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
NHS housing in the community
BS 5839-6 is primarily concerned with saving lives and reducing injuries. BS 5839-6 grades fire detection systems from Grade F up to Grade A. Generally speaking, the greater the fire risk and the more demanding the application, the more comprehensive the system needs to be.
BS 5839-8:2008 - Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of voice alarm systems.
Many people believe they can simply use their PA system to provide a voice message in the event of an emergency like a fire. Unfortunately PA systems, whilst very good for providing music and messages, are not guaranteed to work when there is an emergency. This is where the British Standard BS 5839 - 8:1998 on Voice Alarm comes into use, as it clearly defines the requirements of a true VA system. A true VA system is a highly secure public address system which has the following features;
-All internal and external circuits are monitored for faults
-A minimum battery back up of 24 hours standby and 30 minutes alarm.
-A monitored secure link to a fire alarm panel
-A number of pre-recorded emergency messages
-Incorporates an emergency ‘firemans’ microphone
BS 5839-9:2011 - Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for the design,
installation, commissioning and maintenance of emergency voice communication systems. An emergency voice communication systems(EVCS) is a fixed, secure, bi-directional, full duplex voice communication system to assist fire fighters in an emergency in high rise buildings or large sites where radio communication may not work, and covers the operation of both fire telephones and disabled refuge systems. Where both systems are fitted to a building, Bs5839-9 specifies these should be a single system.
BS 5266-1:2005 - Emergency lighting. Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises.
The purpose of emergency lighting, anti-panic lighting and standby lighting is to ensure that the main fire exit routes from a building or open and high risk areas are sufficiently lit in the case of a mains failure, in order to allow persons to safely evacuate the areas or premises. Manual fire alarm points, first aid points, fire fighting and safety equipment should also be clearly lit, so that it can be clearlyidentified.
Cables installed for these systems have to withstand to fire for at least 60 minutes according to BS EN 50200.
BS 8519:2010- Selection and installation of fire resistant power and control cable systems for life
safety and fire fighting applications. Code of practice.
BS 8519 was introduced specifically to apply only to large and complex buildings and has been widely welcomed within the industry. The new standard offers guidance for the selection of fire resistant power and control cables in life safety and firefighting systems such as smoke barriers, sprinkler systems, fire fighting and evacuation lift supplies. Consequently, BS 8519 should increase the protection of mergency and fire personnel, as well as evacuees who may be inside a large or complex building when fire breaks out.