March 2023
Moving into a new business premises can be time-consuming and stressful - You’ll likely be faced with a mountain of information and need to contact a variety of suppliers to arrange quotations or Insurances. When it comes to such Insurance policies, you might be expected to ensure that the fire alarm system meets a certain category. Despite what some people think, there’s not one-size-fits-all when it comes to fire safety. For example, some systems are designed with the protection of property in mind, whereas others focus on protecting life. If there’s already a system in place, it's important not to assume that it meets the new criteria of your business. Below, we outline the different fire alarm categories with examples of how they can be used.
M Category
Systems that adhere to a Category M are designed to be operated Manually and have no automatic fire detection (no AFD). They comprise of manual call points, associated sounders and visual alarm devices (VADs). As they have no smoke or heat detectors, they rely on a human to successfully identify the presence of a fire and for them to push a call point – this then activates the alarm.
P Category
These types of systems are primarily to protect Property. They always include AFD which means that they do not rely on human action to warn of a fire. P systems are broken down into P1 and P2 systems. P systems are more likely to be a category requested for buildings such as storage facilities that don’t have many staff and don’t have access for the general public.
P1: This is the highest level of P system and includes AFD installed throughout all areas of the building.
P2: This category includes AFD installed in defined areas of risk only.
L Category
Unlike P systems, L systems are designed primarily to protect human Life. They always include AFD which means that they do not reply on human action to warn of a fire. L systems are broken down into L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 systems. These are more likely for businesses that have more than 5 members of staff and/or have members of the public visiting site.
L1: This is the highest level of L system and includes AFD installed throughout all areas of the building.
L2: Comprises of AFD installed in escape routes, rooms opening onto escape routes and defined areas of risk.
L3: Comprises of AFD installed in escape routes and rooms opening onto escape routes.
L4: Comprises of AFD installed in escape routes that include circulation areas and spaces such as corridors and stairways.
L5: This is a non-prescriptive system in which the protected area(s) of the building is designed to satisfy a specific fire risk objective (other than that of L1 to L4).
So how do you establish which category is needed?
We would always recommend that you check with your Insurance Provider when changing your policy, moving to a new property with an existing fire alarm system, or arranging for a new system to be installed. A Fire Risk Assessment is an important part of fire safety and should be conducted prior to an installation. The Assessment will establish the risks involved for the building, staff and visitors as well as areas of specific risk and system category requirement.
At Lynx Fire & Security, our team of experienced surveyors, installation engineers and maintenance engineers are able to design, install and maintain your commercial fire alarm system. We are also available to take over the servicing of existing systems across Northamptonshire and surrounding counties. Get in touch today on 0800 998 1303 or email us via [email protected].
Enjoy this blog? Check out our other blogs here for more tips, answers and advice!
Common Customer Queries
1. How often should commercial fire alarms be tested?
According to BS 5839:2025, a different manual call point should be tested each week. A professional service should take place at least twice a year (for larger properties, this may be spilt into 3 or four visits). All tests (regardless of if these are weekly or professional) should be recorded in a Log Book.
2. What system is best for my property?
It would be hard to tell you one specific system without knowing the layout and the requirements of your property. For this reason, we employ experienced Surveyors who you can meet to discuss the property you wish to protect.
3. Can I get a quotation for a fire alarm or security system?
Absolutely! We do our quotations on a case-by-case basis, so will need some additional information surrounding your requirements before we can recommend the right system for your property.
Contact us and arrange a free, no-obligation quotation. Call us, email us, or visit our ‘enquire now’ form to arrange this service
4. How quickly can I get a security system installed?
Once you’ve received your quotation and are happy for us to proceed, we can arrange a date to install your system that suits you. This is generally within 1-3 weeks but we can also arrange installations months in advance if you had a particular date in mind. Some seasons could be busier than others so make sure to book ASAP!
Check out our FAQ's page for more.