British Standard 5839-Part : 1 2013 provides recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems.

All work should be carried out by a competent person; defined in the standard as: [a] person with the relevant current training and experience, and with access to the requisite tools, equipment and information, and capable of carrying out a defined task.

Penetration of construction (e.g. for the passage of cables, conduit, trunking or tray) must be made good to avoid the free passage of fire or smoke, even when the construction itself is fire resistant.

A further area of concern involves fire detection and alarm systems in buildings. False alarms are a major problem which put lives at risk, cost money and cause disruption to the day to day use of premises. Such incidents result in unwanted emergency calls to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

As such, contractors are asked to make the necessary arrangements to prevent setting off the fire alarm prior to carrying out work which will produce heat, smoke, dust or vibration.

Useful links:

• Scottish Government - FireLaw
• Health and Safety Executive - Contractors
• Association of British Insurers
• Fire Sector Federation
• British Approvals for Fire Equipment
• Association of Specialist Fire Protection
• Fire Protection Association
• Structural Timber Association