The British Standard for fire sprinklers and pertains to the design, commissioning, installation and maintenance of automatic fire sprinkler systems in domestic and residential buildings in the UK to ensure that sprinklers perform correctly should they have to operate. The standard was first released in 2005 and has since been reviewed and amended in 2024 and in 2021.
The standard covers residential properties including, houses, flats and maisonettes, houses of multiple occupancies, blocks of flats, bed and breakfast accommodation, boarding houses, residential care premises, dormitories and hostels.
It does not cover schools, hospitals or hotels. These buildings are covered by BS12845 ( see below)
The standard also advises on appropriate types of sprinkler systems according to their risk category:
Fixed firefighting systems - Automatic sprinkler systems, is the required standard sprinkler system safety in commercial and industrial settings. It outlines comprehensive guidelines and requirements for the design, installation, testing, and maintenance of automatic sprinkler systems.
Under current building regulations, commercial buildings of over 20,000 square metres in England are required to have a sprinkler system fitted. For legislation in Scotland, Ireland and Wales see our legislation section.
Types of premises might include:
By law any UK business that employs more than five people (or that is open to the public) must complete a fire risk assessment.
