Info Brief September 2025 – BS 5839-1:2025, Fire Safety, Detection and Fire Alarm Systems in Non-Domestic Buildings – What Leisure Facilities Need to Know
BS 5839-1:2025 is not law; it’s a British Standard intended to guide best practice in fire detection and alarm systems. Following it ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 which legally mandates fire safety measures including installing and maintaining an appropriate fire detection and alarm system.
The 2025 revision of BS 5839-1 introduces significant updates to the UK standard for fire detection and alarm systems.
For leisure facilities such as gyms, sports centres, hotels, cinemas, and entertainment venues, these changes are designed to strengthen fire safety compliance, reduce false alarms, and modernise alarm transmission ahead of upcoming technology shifts.
Systems installed in accordance with the 2017 standard do not need to be upgraded automatically to meet the 2025 edition. However, any new installations, alterations, or extensions should be designed and implemented in line with the recommendations of BS 5839-1:2025. That said, as the responsible person, it is advisable to adopt the latest guidance wherever practicable, to demonstrate best practice and maintain the highest level of compliance. The following paragraphs summarise the key changes.
One of the most important updates is to the categorisation of systems. Category L2 has been revised to include any room where people sleep, meaning heat detectors are no longer permitted in these areas. Stairway lobbies now require automatic detection, closing a gap that previously allowed them to be excluded. These changes are particularly relevant to leisure facilities with attached accommodation or multi-storey layouts.
Manual call points have also been simplified. They must now be located within a 30-metre straight-line distance or a 45-metre travel distance and mounting height tolerances have been clarified. Protective covers are now recommended to be transparent, reducing the risk of accidental activation without obscuring visibility.
Alarm tones have been updated too. While devices can now be used for multiple purposes, each function must have a distinct tone or message. For facilities that also host schools, youth clubs or community programmes, the system can be integrated for lockdown or class change signals, but these must follow strict guidelines.
False alarm prevention has been given greater emphasis, with multi-sensor detectors now encouraged in areas prone to steam, smoke, or vapours, such as kitchens, spas, or poolside zones. Every false alarm must be investigated and documented, and logbooks must now include all variations to the standard.
In preparation for the nationwide switch from the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to all-IP systems in 2027, alarm transmission requirements have also been updated. Alarm signals must reach the receiving centre within 90 seconds for life safety systems and 120 seconds for property protection systems. Facilities must ensure their systems are digital-ready to avoid disruption.
Routine maintenance remains essential. Systems must be serviced every six months, with a one-month tolerance either side. New provisions also formally recognise remote servicing, provided cybersecurity measures are in place.
Documentation requirements have expanded too, with facilities now needing a clear cause-and-effect matrix outlining how their alarm system operates, especially where staged evacuations may be necessary for large venues.
Additional technical changes include new cable colour guidance, with red preferred for fire alarm and mains supply cabling, clarified rules for ceiling heights in spaces with multi-sensor detectors (such as sports halls or atriums), and enhanced functional testing during annual visits, including duct detectors.
For leisure facilities, these changes underline the need for thorough compliance checks, updated staff training on evacuation signals and false alarm procedures, and proactive planning for system upgrades ahead of the 2027 digital switchover. Keeping documentation and logbooks accurate and accessible is now more important than ever, both for regulatory compliance and insurance purposes.
As mentioned above, upgrading an existing system is not mandatory unless you are extending, modifying, or installing a new one, in which case, you should ensure your contractor is making sure the system is in accordance with BS 5839-1:2025. Nonetheless, it is advisable to familiarise yourself with the latest updates and record any deviations from the standard in your fire logbook. We also recommend discussing the changes with your servicing contractor at your next maintenance visit to understand whether any adjustments may be appropriate.
A guide to the changes, provided by the Fire Industry Association is available here.
For support from Right Directions:
In light of this updated standard, it might be an appropriate time to review your organisation’s fire safety arrangements. We can provide fire risk assessments and fire safety management support to assess and review current protection measures in your facility, ensuring that they are adequate and that potential fire hazards are identified and addressed.
Our team will also guide you in implementing practical improvements and maintaining compliance, giving you peace of mind that your workplace is safe, prepared, and aligned with legal requirements.
Head to our Fire Safety page to see how we can support you.
Or book a meeting with our client services team here to discuss your fire safety or general health and safety needs. Or get in touch at info@rightdirections.co.uk or 01582 840098.
