Commercial Fire Alarm Systems
Professional design and installation of fire alarm systems to BS 5839 standards for commercial premises in East Sussex.
Commercial Fire Alarm Systems in Eastbourne
A properly designed and maintained fire alarm system is essential for protecting your building, occupants, and legal compliance. D J Fox Electrical designs and installs commercial fire alarm systems to BS 5839 standards, meeting the requirements of commercial premises, offices, warehouses, and industrial facilities.
With over 15 years of commercial electrical expertise in East Sussex, we provide fire safety systems that meet building regulations and insurance requirements.
What We Provide
- Complete fire risk assessment and system design
- Fire alarm panel installation (addressable systems available)
- Fire detection system installation (smoke, heat, flame detectors)
- Manual call points (break-glass alarm buttons)
- Audible and visual alarm devices (sounders, flashers)
- Emergency lighting integration
- Backup power systems (batteries, generators)
- Network integration for large premises
- System programming and configuration
- Testing and commissioning
- Staff training on emergency procedures
- Maintenance and monitoring contracts
- Annual service and inspection
Why Choose D J Fox Electrical?
- NICEIC Approved Contractor with fire safety expertise
- 15+ Years Installing Commercial Fire Systems in East Sussex
- BS 5839 Standard Compliant Design and Installation
- Professional-grade equipment with warranty support
- Integration with emergency lighting and exit systems
- 24/7 Emergency Service available
- Fully insured and certified installations
Fire Alarm System Standards & Compliance
BS 5839-1:2017 (Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Buildings)
This British Standard defines requirements for:
- System design based on fire risk assessment
- Detection device selection and placement
- Manual call point locations
- Alarm signal effectiveness
- Emergency voice communication
- System reliability and redundancy
- Testing and maintenance protocols
Building Regulations Part B (Fire Safety)
Commercial premises must comply with:
- Emergency warning systems
- Fire detection systems
- Alarm signal audibility throughout building
- Integration with emergency evacuation procedures
- Records and maintenance documentation
Insurance Requirements
Most commercial insurance policies mandate:
- Professional fire alarm installation
- BS 5839 compliant systems
- Regular maintenance and testing (quarterly/annually)
- Monitoring centre connection (optional but recommended)
- Compliance certificates and documentation
Fire Detection Components
Smoke Detectors (Optical)
The most common fire detector:
- Activate when smoke from burning materials is detected
- Suitable for general office, retail, and warehouse areas
- Fast response to flaming fires
- Generally unsuitable for kitchens and dusty areas
- Typical coverage: 60m² per detector
Heat Detectors
Temperature-sensitive devices:
- Activate when ambient temperature exceeds threshold (typically 58-70°C)
- Suitable for kitchens, workshops, and industrial areas
- Slower response than smoke detectors
- Less prone to false alarms in dusty environments
- Typical coverage: 100m² per detector
Combined Detectors
Smoke and heat detection in single device:
- Provides dual-detection for maximum reliability
- Reduces number of ceiling-mounted devices
- Suitable for most commercial environments
- Higher cost than single-function detectors
Flame Detectors
Ultraviolet/infrared detection:
- Activate when they detect flames
- Suitable for high-risk areas (workshops, manufacturing)
- Very fast response (sub-second)
- Require line-of-sight to flames
- Most expensive detector type
Manual Call Points
Manual alarm buttons for staff:
- Bright red, easily recognizable
- Located near exits and circulation routes
- Allows occupants to raise alarm manually
- Provides early warning capability
- Typical spacing: no more than 30-45m walking distance
Alarm Devices (Sounders & Beacons)
Audible and visual alerts:
- Sounders provide loud alarm signal (85dB minimum)
- Visual flashers for deaf occupants
- Combined sounder/flasher units common
- Multiple devices in large buildings
- Automatic systems trigger without human action
System Types
Conventional (Non-Addressable) Systems
Suitable for small to medium premises:
- Detectors on circuits (zones)
- Panel shows which zone activated
- Lower installation cost
- Simpler wiring requirements
- Easier to understand and maintain
- Limited to about 8-16 zones typically
Addressable Systems
Ideal for large or complex premises:
- Each detector has unique address
- Panel identifies exact location of activated detector
- Allows intelligent programming (different alarm actions per location)
- Can be zoned for partial evacuation
- Supports larger installations
- More expensive but more sophisticated
Wireless Systems
Emerging technology with benefits:
- No cable running between detectors
- Flexible installation in retrofit situations
- Battery-powered detectors
- May not meet all BS 5839 requirements
- Growing acceptance but less common in commercial sector
Fire Alarm Installation Process
- Fire Risk Assessment - Evaluate building layout, occupancy, and fire risks
- System Design - Create detection plan meeting BS 5839 requirements
- Component Installation - Install alarm panel, detectors, sounders, call points
- Cabling Installation - Run control cabling throughout building (if hardwired)
- Power Supply - Install battery backup and mains power
- System Configuration - Program alarm logic, notification procedures
- Integration Testing - Test each detector, call point, and sounder
- Emergency Lighting - Integrate with emergency exit lighting
- Monitoring Setup - Configure monitoring centre connection (if applicable)
- Commissioning - Full building-wide testing
- Staff Training - Train employees on evacuation procedures
- Handover - Provide system documentation and certificates
Typical Installation Costs
Small System (1-2 zones, small office):
- Equipment: £800-1,200
- Installation: £600-1,000
- Total: £1,400-2,200
Medium System (3-6 zones, multi-floor office):
- Equipment: £1,500-2,500
- Installation: £1,000-2,000
- Total: £2,500-4,500
Large System (8+ zones, complex premises):
- Equipment: £3,000-6,000+
- Installation: £2,000-4,000+
- Total: £5,000-10,000+
Annual maintenance contracts: £300-800/year
Request free fire risk assessment and system design quotation.
Service Coverage
Available across Eastbourne, Brighton, Hastings, Lewes, Hailsham, and all surrounding East Sussex locations within a 25-mile radius.
Related Services
- Commercial Maintenance Contracts - ongoing system support
- Emergency Lighting Testing - integrated evacuation systems
- EICR Testing - electrical compliance
- PAT Testing - appliance safety testing
Ongoing Maintenance & Monitoring
Quarterly Testing:
- Visual inspection of all equipment
- Test of fire alarm sounders (audibility verification)
- Test of manual call points
- Cleaning of detectors (dust removal)
- Battery backup testing
- System functionality test
Annual Servicing:
- Specialist engineer full system inspection
- Replacement of faulty components
- Certification and documentation
- Insurance compliance verification
24/7 Monitoring (Optional):
- Professional monitoring centre connection
- Immediate response to alarm activation
- Fire service dispatch notification
- Two-way voice communication capability
- Cost: typically £200-400/year
Emergency Procedures & Evacuation
Modern fire alarm systems support:
- Automatic Evacuation - all occupants leave immediately on alarm
- Staged Evacuation - only some areas evacuate initially (large buildings)
- Emergency Voice Communication - announcement systems guiding evacuation
- Refuge Areas - designated safe locations for people with mobility issues
- Firefighter Phones - communication points for emergency responders
We integrate fire alarm systems with your emergency evacuation plan.
Compliance Documentation
Your system comes with:
- BS 5839 Compliance Certificate - proves standards compliance
- Installation Records - detailed documentation of system design
- Maintenance Logs - records of all testing and servicing
- Risk Assessment Report - fire risk analysis and recommendations
- Staff Training Records - evacuation procedure documentation
- Monitoring Centre Agreement - if applicable
Get a Free Assessment
Contact D J Fox Electrical for a free fire risk assessment and system design quotation.
Phone: Call for consultation Email: Submit property details Online Form: Request fire risk assessment Emergency: 24/7 support available
D J Fox Electrical Ltd NICEIC Approved Contractor Fire Safety Specialist Serving Eastbourne & East Sussex since 2009
Frequently Asked Questions
QIs a fire alarm system legally required for my business?
Fire alarms are required by Building Regulations and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for most commercial premises. We assess your specific requirements.
QWhat's the difference between BS 5839 and addressable systems?
BS 5839 is the design standard. Addressable systems (each detector uniquely identified) are the modern approach to meeting BS 5839 requirements. Conventional systems (zones) are older but still compliant for small premises.
QHow often does my system need testing?
BS 5839 requires quarterly inspections (minimum) with annual professional servicing. Monthly user checks are also recommended.
QWhat happens if we have a false alarm?
False alarms are common in first months after installation. We train staff and fine-tune detection thresholds. Professional monitoring helps distinguish real emergencies from false alarms.
QCan my fire alarm integrate with building access control?
Yes, modern systems can unlock doors on alarm activation to allow rapid evacuation, and can log who has left the building.
QDo I need emergency lighting with fire alarms?
Yes, Building Regulations require emergency exit lighting integrated with fire alarms. We provide complete integrated systems.
QHow long do fire alarm systems last?
Properly maintained systems last 10-15+ years. Components are upgraded as needed. Regular maintenance is essential.
Still have questions?
Call Us: 01323 123456Ready for Professional Commercial Fire Alarm?
Contact D J Fox Electrical today for a free quote. Our expert team is ready to help with your commercial fire alarm needs.