Smoke Alarm Regulations and Systems

Reviewed by Jay Proctor, Technical Support Team Leader (May 2024)

Smoke alarm regulations ensure that residential and commercial properties have an effective fire detection system in place in the event of a fire. Smoke alarm regulations have been in the news in recent times because of changes to legislation that affect landlords in social housing – but commercial businesses also must comply with the regulations when it comes to fire detection. This guide explores how smoke detector regulations affect industrial businesses, looks at some of the types of industrial smoke detectors on the market, and assesses how smart factories are addressing fire safety.

In the UK, national building regulations say all businesses must have an appropriate fire detection system. This means that in the event of a fire, it should be easy to detect the blaze and warn employees and any other occupants to evacuate. The London Fire Brigade recommends that businesses install a smoke alarm or heat alarm in each room where a fire could potentially start. Fire detection systems should meet the BS 5839 standard which is a code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of non-domestic fire detection and alarm systems.

BS 5839 recommends the location of components of the fire alarm system. Systems are categorised according to whether they are designed to protect people or property. The standard also specifies which types of detectors should be used. These include not only smoke detectors but also carbon monoxide detectors, heat detectors, and infrared and ultraviolet detectors. Some fire detectors on the market may be multi-sensor, i.e., capable of detecting multiple signs of fire. Smoke alarms or other detection devices should be chosen based on the speed of detection needed, the type of fire hazard, and the need to minimise false alarms.

There are various types of smoke detectors on the market. They include the following:

• Ionisation smoke detectors. These smoke detectors are excellent at detecting fast-burning fires. They feature two electrically charged plates and radioactive material that ionises the air between them. When smoke enters the detector, it disrupts the flow of ions between these two surfaces, the current drops, and the alarm is activated. Despite their effectiveness, there is an issue with these types of smoke detectors and how they work: They are gradually being phased out due to concerns about their use of radioactive material
• Photoelectric smoke detectors. These detectors employ a beam of light to detect the presence of smoke and are particularly useful for detecting slow-burning or smouldering fires (such as in wiring looms). Photoelectric detectors may also be less prone to false alarms than ionisation devices
• Multi-sensor smoke detectors. These devices combine ionisation and photoelectric technology to detect both fast-growing blazes and smouldering fires as quickly as possible. Multi-sensor devices may also feature technology that detects not only smoke but also heat or the release of carbon monoxide

Industrial smoke alarms should be part of a fire detection system that ensures personnel and equipment are protected and that’s appropriate to the scale of the building. In industrial settings, it’s necessary to consider the potential for false alarms caused by the environment, for example, parts of a facility that are dusty or feature a lot of smoke from vehicles.

The right fire detection system and types of smoke detectors must be chosen so that the system responds appropriately if an emergency occurs. British law stipulates that businesses must employ an appropriate fire detection system.

How many smoke alarms do I need? Smaller building requirements differ from large facilities. A workshop, for example, may only need simple smoke detectors, but large premises with multiple floors should have a network of smoke detectors or multi-sensor detectors – smoke and heat or carbon monoxide – linked together with a single interface.

Smoke detectors should be installed on each floor and in each area of a building. This includes areas such as corridors and staircases. The quantity and layout of smoke detectors should be determined by a fire risk assessment. The requirements for locating smoke detectors will vary depending on the nature of the business, the fire risk, and the building size and layout. Consult a fire safety expert when planning your fire detection system.