Fire Alarm Requirements

[Paul B]

Hi All

Does a shop always need a commercial fire alarm system? I visited a large retail shop today with a domestic system fitted with some detectors on the ceiling 20ft high….how can these be tested? There were fire action notices stating to activate the alarm but there were no manual call points fitted to activate. Can a part 6 system be used in a large retail space instead of a part 1 system? 

[AnthonyB]

It require a commercial system does unless it is so small that a fire would be readily discovered and the alarm spread throughout by shouts. Building Regulations and every bit of fire legislation guidance from the 60's to the current day requires a layered approach to fire warning where the minimum system to comply with legislation (if not very small) is a Category M BS5839-1 system of manual call points & sounders. Only if required would you then add detection.