Fire & CO Alarms
The role of I
n the domestic fi re detection market, compliance is oſt en viewed as something achieved once devices are installed. Nick Atkinson, National Account Manager for Trade at FireAngel, explores how wholesalers can help contractors and housing providers meet their responsibilities by off ering more than just products on shelves.
In reality, however, genuine compliance goes far beyond simply fi tting alarms to walls or ceilings. It is a process that continues through testing, commissioning, handover and ongoing maintenance, and getting each stage right is essential to ensuring life-saving protection and avoiding serious liability.
For electrical wholesalers, understanding the full compliance journey isn’t just useful, it’s vital to providing the right solutions, advice and products to customers.
In the UK, BS 5839-6:2019+A1:2020 sets out the recognised standard for domestic fi re detection and alarm systems. The guidance applies across social housing, private rental properties, houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and new-build
20 | electrical wholesalerFebruary 2026
wholesalers in fi re safety compliance
Nick Atkinson, national account manager for trade at FireAngel, explores how wholesalers can help contractors and housing providers meet their responsibilities by off ering more than just products on shelves.
developments, providing clear recommendations for system design, installation, commissioning and maintenance. Ultimately, the aim is to ensure systems are reliable, properly installed and capable of providing critical protection when needed most.
“The latest connected technologies can assist [with compliance] by providing real- time alerts of faults, tampering, or system issues, off ering extra peace of mind for residents and property owners.”
While product selection and system design form the foundations of compliance, there remains a misconception that simply supplying certifi ed devices is enough to guarantee a compliant system. But as wholesalers will appreciate, the products themselves are only part of the picture. The fi nal stages of testing, commissioning and routine checks are equally important, and they are often where compliance
gaps emerge if standards and best practices are not followed.
Even the most advanced detection system depends entirely on correct installation, testing and consideration of real-world factors. BS 5839-6 highlights the importance of testing and commissioning of detectors using test apparatus
ewnews.co.uk
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