- The Law: What the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Requires
- The Technical Standard: What BS 5839-1 Actually Means
- Why Accreditation Is the Only Thing That Actually Proves Competence
- Our Partnership with Apollo Fire Detectors
- The Five Compliance Failures We See Most Often
- What Working With Currant Live Actually Looks Like
- Speak to Currant Live About Your Premises
Published by Currant Live | Commercial Fire and Security Specialists | Coventry, Birmingham and Leicester
If you manage or own a commercial building, fire alarm compliance is not something you can leave to chance. Across the UK, a surprising number of commercial premises offices, warehouses, retail units, education campuses are running systems that are out of date, poorly maintained, or not up to current legal standards. The consequences go beyond a failed inspection: enforcement notices, financial penalties, and in serious cases, prosecution. Here is what you actually need to know.
The Law: What the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Requires
The legislation that governs fire safety in commercial buildings across England and Wales is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Under this law, anyone who has control of a commercial premises whether you are the owner, employer, landlord, or facilities manager is designated the Responsible Person.
That title comes with real legal accountability. As the Responsible Person, you are required to commission a suitable fire risk assessment, put appropriate fire safety measures in place, ensure your detection and alarm systems are installed and maintained to the assessed risk level, and keep clear records of all testing and maintenance activity.
One thing that catches many people out: the FSO does not tell you exactly which type of fire alarm system to install. It says your measures must be appropriate to the risk which is why a proper site assessment is always the starting point, not a sales brochure.
For the full text of the legislation, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is available on GOV.UK.
The Technical Standard: What BS 5839-1 Actually Means
Alongside the law sits BS 5839-1 the British Standard that defines how commercial fire alarm systems should be designed, installed, commissioned, and maintained. It is not legislation in itself, but enforcing authorities, insurers, and the courts all treat it as the definitive benchmark for competent practice. If your system does not meet it, you are exposed even if the system appears to be working fine.
The standard covers system categories (from manual call points only through to full automatic detection across an entire building), detector and sounder positioning, cabling requirements, commissioning documentation, and maintenance intervals. For most commercial premises, that means a full system service every six months, plus weekly call point tests carried out by your own team.
At Currant Live, every installation and maintenance contract we deliver is carried out in full accordance with BS 5839-1, and all completed work is documented properly from day one.
Why Accreditation Is the Only Thing That Actually Proves Competence
This is the bit most people skip over, and it is arguably the most important.
Anyone can claim to install fire alarms. What you cannot fake is third-party accreditation from a UKAS-approved certification body. Currant Live holds two of the most significant accreditations in the UK fire safety industry.
BAFE is an independent register of competent fire safety organisations. To hold BAFE registration, a company must demonstrate it meets rigorous standards across design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance and it must be re-assessed regularly to keep it.
NSI Fire Gold is the highest tier of certification issued by the National Security Inspectorate for fire alarm companies. It requires ongoing compliance with BS 5839-1, regular third-party audits, and a proven track record of consistent quality. There is no higher independent standard available in our industry.
When you engage a BAFE and NSI Fire Gold accredited contractor, you have documented evidence that the work has been done properly. For a Responsible Person dealing with an insurer, a landlord, or an enforcement officer, that documentation is not a nice-to-have it is essential.
Find out more about all of the accreditations Currant Live holds here.
Our Partnership with Apollo Fire Detectors
A fire alarm system is only as reliable as the components inside it. Currant Live works in strategic partnership with Apollo Fire Detectors one of the world’s leading fire detection manufacturers, with over 50 years of proven performance in demanding commercial environments.
That partnership gives our clients access to Apollo’s addressable systems, which pinpoint the precise location of a fault or alarm, and multi-sensor detectors that distinguish between smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide. The result is fewer false alarms, faster response when it matters, and equipment built to last.
The Five Compliance Failures We See Most Often
In our work across Coventry, Birmingham, and Leicester, the same issues come up repeatedly: systems over 15 years old that have never been reviewed; maintenance records that are missing or incomplete; the wrong detector type for the environment; no formal contract with an accredited provider; and systems never updated after a building refit. If any of these apply, it is worth addressing them before an inspection forces the issue.
What Working With Currant Live Actually Looks Like
Every project starts with a free site survey no obligation, no standard package. We assess your building, review any existing fire risk assessment, and design a system around your specific layout and risk profile. Our CSCS/ECS certified engineers then handle installation using Apollo technology, with full commissioning documentation and system logbook provided on completion. Tailored maintenance contracts with 24/7 callout cover are available to keep your compliance records current.
See how our commercial fire alarm maintenance contracts work here.
Speak to Currant Live About Your Premises
Whether you need a new installation, a system upgrade, a compliance review, or a maintenance takeover, we would welcome the conversation.
Currant Live serves commercial clients across Coventry, Birmingham, Leicester, and the surrounding Midlands region. Our advice is honest, our systems are bespoke, and every recommendation starts with a free site survey.
Contact Currant Live today to arrange your free site survey and find out exactly where your premises stands.
