A Guide to Understanding Fire Alarm Types

Fire alarm systems are a critical component of any comprehensive fire safety strategy, particularly in commercial premises. Whether you’re responsible for a school, care home, or office, understanding the different types of fire alarm systems is essential to keeping your people and property safe against the threat of fire.

In this blog, we take you through the most common fire alarm types used in commercial premises and how they’re categorised, so you have a better understanding of which solution is right for your environment.

Why are fire alarm systems so important?

Fire alarm systems serve a fundamental role in protecting life and property, and ensuring business continuity. They are designed to detect signs of fire, usually smoke or heat, and alert building occupants so they can evacuate promptly and safely.

A fire can be devastating in any building, but especially so in a commercial property. It can halt operations, destroy stock or data, damage infrastructure, and most importantly, threaten lives. However, with a properly designed fire alarm system installed, you can minimise these risks. This is because they give building occupants an early warning in the event of the fire, allowing them to evacuate the property and call the local fire service to help control the blaze.

What are the different fire alarm categories?

Before choosing a fire alarm system for your environment, it’s helpful to understand how they’re categorised under British Standard BS 5839-1, which is the code of practice for the design, installation, and maintenance of fire detection systems in non-domestic buildings.

Category M – Manual systems

These types of fire alarm systems rely on individuals discovering a fire and manually activating a call point. They don’t include automatic smoke or heat detection and are typically most suited to small, low-risk premises with continuous occupancy, such as a small shop or single-room offices.

Category L – Life protection systems

L-category systems are automatic fire detection systems that are designed to protect life. There are subcategories of these systems that define how comprehensive the coverage should be:

• L5 – these are custom-designed for specific risks in a building.
• L4 – these provide detection in escape routes only.
• L3 – these provide detection in escape routes and rooms opening into them.
• L2 – these provide detection in all escape routes, high-risk areas, and adjoining rooms.
• L1 – these provide maximum protection with detection in all rooms and areas.

You can often find category L fire alarm systems in care homes, hotels, schools, and offices.

Category P – Property protection systems

These systems are designed to protect buildings and assets, and are often connected to alarm monitoring services. Similarly to the category L systems, there are subcategories to determine the level of coverage:

• P1 – these provide full building coverage.
• P2 – these provide partial coverage for areas of high fire risk.

Category P fire alarm types are usually found in commercial premises such as warehouses, data centres, museums, and heritage buildings for example.

What are the different types of commercial fire alarms?

Choosing the right fire alarm system depends on your property’s size, layout, occupancy type, and the risk profile identified in your fire risk assessment. Below we explore the different types of fire alarm systems for commercial properties.

Conventional fire alarms

Conventional fire alarms are a cost-effective choice, particularly for small businesses. They work by dividing a building into zones, and if a detector is triggered, the control panel identifies the affected zone, not the specific device. Conventional fire alarms can also be installed to be monitored by an external Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) if required, and if triggered and a fire is confirmed by the building’s responsible person, local fire services will respond. These types of fire alarms are usually best suited for smaller offices, retail units, and schools.

Addressable fire alarms

With an addressable fire alarm system, each device has a unique ID, which allows the system to display the exact detector or call point that has been activated. This provides businesses with accurate location detection, making them best suited for complex or multi-story commercial buildings. Similar to conventional alarm systems, addressable systems can also be installed to be monitored by an ARC.

Wireless fire alarms

Wireless fire alarms use radio signals rather than hard-wired connections, making the installation process quick and non-invasive. They’re especially useful for listed buildings, heritage sites, or temporary structures when cabling in a is impractical or disruptive.

Aspirating fire alarms

These systems provide ultra-early detection by drawing in air through a network of pipes to detect even the smallest smoke particles. This makes them perfect for environments where downtime or loss is non-negotiable such as data centres and clean rooms for example.

Gas suppression fire alarms

Gas suppression fire alarms are usually part of an integrated system that detects fire and triggers a gas-based suppression agent instead of water to suppress a fire. They help to protect sensitive equipment in areas like server rooms, electrical switch rooms, or archives, where water would cause catastrophic damage.

Speak to us for your fire alarm needs

As a responsible business or property owner, ensuring your premises has the correct fire alarm system is both a moral and legal obligation. We hope we’ve provided a better insight into the different fire alarm types, but with so many options available, we strongly recommend getting expert advice on the right system for your environment.

At Asco, we’ve been designing, installing, and maintaining fire alarm systems for decades, allowing us to bring a wealth of experience in delivering systems that protect both life and property. Whether you’re upgrading an existing system, expanding your site, or starting from scratch, we’re here to help you make the right choice.

Don’t hesitate to contact our team today for expert advice on fire alarms for your premises. Based in Scotland and backed by LS Fire Group, we can provide our services to areas local to us including Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen, as well as offer a nationwide service with the help of our partner brands.

Fire alarm types FAQs

Are all types of fire alarm systems legal in Scotland?

Yes, but they must comply with Scottish fire safety legislation, including the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Your chosen fire alarm system must be tailored for your premises and the risks involved. It’s also recommended that it is maintained in accordance with BS 5839-1.

Do fire alarm systems need to be serviced?

While there is no legal requirement to have your fire alarm system serviced, it’s strongly recommended that systems are regularly inspected, tested, and maintained to remain in optimal working condition. Routine servicing should be carried out by a competent and qualified fire safety provider, like Asco, in line with BS 5839-1.

What type of fire alarm system do I need for my business?

The best system will depend on several factors such as the type of premises, its size and layout, the nature of activities carried out, and the results of your fire risk assessment. Category L systems focus on life safety, whereas category P systems focus on property protection, and your chosen system should align with one or both of these priorities.