How Changing Regulations Are Reshaping Fire Safety – And Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
- yuka371
- Jun 17
- 4 min read
Fire safety isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about saving lives. In the wake of tragic fires, the urgency to improve fire safety standards is at an all-time high. For electricians and installers, the role you play in fire-proofing a building could make the difference between life and death.
Over the past decade, updates to British Standards—like BS 5839, BS 7671, and BS 8629—have been introduced directly in response to these events. Here’s what’s changed and what it means for your installations.
Why Have Fire Safety Regulations Changed?
Historically, installations often met only the bare minimum: plastic clips, basic alarms, and standard wiring. But real-world tragedies revealed that “minimum” doesn’t mean “safe.”
Let’s take a look at a few key incidents that changed the landscape:
Grenfell Towers (2017)
Perhaps the most defining tragedy in recent UK history, the fire at Grenfell Tower claimed 72 lives. What started as a small kitchen fire quickly escalated due to highly flammable cladding, poor compartmentation, and a lack of effective fire alarms and evacuation systems.
What changed?
Immediate scrutiny on building materials, evacuation systems, and fire safety regulations in high-rises.
Accelerated adoption of BS 8629: Evacuation alert systems for high-rise buildings.
Renewed emphasis on fire-resilient wiring, proper circuit containment, and interlinked detection systems.
Shirley Towers Fire (2010)
Two firefighters tragically died after becoming entangled in fallen electrical cables. The PVC trunking melted in the intense heat, dropping live cables across escape routes.
What changed? The 18th Edition of BS 7671 now requires non-combustible fixings in all escape routes (Reg 521.10.202).
Harrow Court Fire (2005)
Three people died in a tower block fire. Cable failure and loss of power to emergency systems delayed evacuation.
What changed? Greater emphasis was placed on the use of fire-resistant cables (BS 7629-1 compliant) to maintain circuit integrity during fires.
A Quick Look at Key Regulation Changes
Standard: BS 5839-6:2019+A1:2020
What Changed?
British Standard BS 5839-6:2019+A1:2020 covers specific recommendations for fire alarm systems in all domestic premises and covers both new-build and existing properties. The standard contains a large amount of detail on all aspects relating to the design and installation of fire alarm systems, but one area of it covers the type of alarm to install and the areas of the property to protect.
The changes include new grades covering the different types of alarm system, with Grade C being redefined, Grade D being replaced by D1 and D2 and Grade F replaced by F1 and F2.
What It Means .
Alarm Grades | Definition |
Grade C | A system of fire detectors and alarm sounders (which may be combined in the form of smoke alarms) connected to a common power supply, comprising the normal mains and a standby supply, with central control equipment. |
Grade D1 | A system of one or more mains powered detectors, each with a tamper-proof standby supply consisting of a battery or batteries. |
Grade D2 | A system of one or more mains powered detectors, each with an integral standby supply consisting of a user-replaceable battery or batteries. |
Grade F1 | A system of one or more battery powered detectors powered by a tamper-proof primary battery or batteries. |
Grade F2 | A system of one or more battery powered detectors powered by a user-replaceable primary battery or batteries. |
Category of System | Definition |
LD1 | High Protection. All areas where a fire could start:
|
LD2 | Medium Protection. Escape routes and high-risk areas such as:
|
LD3 | Minimum Protection. Escape routes such as:
|
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Standard: BS 7671 18th Edition Clause 521.10.202
What Changed?
Wiring systems shall be supported such that they will not be liable to premature collapse in the event of a fire.
What It Means
Installers are prohibited to use non-metallic cable management as the sole means of cable support. This prohibition applies to all cable and cable management in a building, including those fixed on the surface of walls. Suitable materials for cable support include steel or copper clips, saddles, or ties, which are designed to withstand high temperatures and prevent premature collapse. While plastic cable fixings and management systems are still permitted, they can no longer be used alone. To meet safety standards, they must be supplemented with metal supports.
Source:
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LINIAN Fire Clip is the no-fuss cable fixing that’s designed to save time, money — and lives.
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Just drill a hole, slide the clip over the cable/conduit, and push in — it’s that simple.
Standard: BS 8519:2020
What Changed?
Regulation now categorises life-critical systems into 3 performance categories (1, 2, or 3), each requiring different cable integrity durations.
What It Means:
Category 3 systems (e.g. smoke extraction, fireman’s lifts) require 120-minute fire survival.
Category 1 systems (e.g. fire alarms) need 30 minutes minimum.
Featured Product:
Ventcroft NoBurn Platinum Fire Cables
LSZH fire-rated cable that exceeds BS 7629-1 and BS EN 50200 standards.
Maintains power to fire alarms, emergency lighting, and call points under extreme conditions.
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What You Should Do Next
✔ Audit your installs: Are your alarms interlinked? Are your fixings fire-rated?
✔ Educate your clients: Most homeowners aren’t aware of these changes—help them protect their property.
✔ Upgrade older systems: Even though older builds (pre-2019) aren’t mandated to comply, it’s a chance to retrofit and enhance safety.
✔ Use approved products: Cheaper alternatives may not meet the requirements—or save lives.
Shop Fire-Safe Products Now
Whether you’re working on a domestic rewire or a commercial HMO, our fire-safety range is ready to keep your installs compliant, and your customers protected.
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