2025 marks a significant shift in how businesses must approach fire safety. With updates to the BS 5839‑1:2025 standard now live, and enforcement of fire safety regulations tightening across the UK, commercial property owners and duty holders can no longer afford to overlook the state of their fire alarm systems.
From fire risk assessments and staff training to selecting the right fire alarm technology and ensuring compliance with emergency lighting regulations, the new fire safety landscape demands a more proactive and comprehensive approach. At Mid Cheshire Electrical, we help businesses across Northwich, Winsford, Chester, and the wider Cheshire area navigate these changes with confidence.
Why Fire Safety Law Is Changing in 2025
The UK’s fire safety framework has undergone a series of updates in recent years, largely in response to tragic incidents and growing awareness around fire prevention. The introduction of the BS 5839‑1:2025 standard in April 2025 is a key part of this shift. This standard updates how commercial fire alarm systems are designed, installed, commissioned, and maintained.
Under UK law, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Fire Safety Act 2021, and Building Safety Act 2022, businesses must protect occupants from fire risk. This duty applies to a wide range of settings, including:
Offices and workplaces
Care homes and supported living facilities
Schools, colleges, and universities
Multi-occupancy buildings and shared premises
Retail and hospitality businesses
Industrial and manufacturing sites
Failure to comply can result in severe fines, legal action, or worse, loss of life.
Fire Risk Assessments: Your Legal Starting Point
The cornerstone of all fire safety compliance is the fire risk assessment. This assessment evaluates potential fire hazards within your building, the likelihood of a fire occurring, and the measures in place to protect occupants. It should be carried out by a competent person and reviewed regularly, especially if your building layout, occupancy, or use changes.
Key components of a fire risk assessment include:
Identifying ignition sources and combustible materials
Evaluating who is at risk and how
Assessing current fire detection and alarm systems
Reviewing escape routes and emergency lighting
Making recommendations to reduce or eliminate risks
Creating a record of the assessment and setting a review schedule
At Mid Cheshire Electrical, we work with clients to align fire detection systems with the outcomes of their risk assessments, ensuring full legal compliance and real-world safety.
Installing More Than Just an Alarm
A compliant fire safety system is more than just a siren on the wall. Today’s businesses require integrated solutions that include:
Emergency lighting (as per BS 5266) for safe evacuation in low visibility
Fire extinguishers and signage in appropriate locations
Manual call points and audible/visual alerts
Integration with sprinkler systems, ventilation, and security systems
Control panels that provide zoning, fault alerts, and event logging
We provide comprehensive fire alarm installations across Cheshire, tailored to your premises and industry. From hotels in Chester to factories in Winsford, our systems are designed to work when it matters most.
Staff Training & Fire Drills: Legal and Practical Essentials
An effective fire safety system must be backed up by trained people. Business owners and duty holders are responsible for ensuring:
All staff receive fire safety training appropriate to their role
Regular fire drills are carried out and documented
Employees understand alarm tones, escape routes, and meeting points
Modern fire alarm systems make these responsibilities easier, offering test features, alarm history logs, and support for remote monitoring of drills and call points.
Understanding BS 5839‑1:2025
The updated BS 5839‑1:2025 standard introduces several new technical requirements aimed at improving reliability, inclusivity, and false alarm reduction. It applies to the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic buildings.
Key features include:
Revisions to fire alarm categories such as Life Protection (L1 - L5), Manual Call Points (M) and Property protection (P).
Stronger requirements for false alarm management
Clearer documentation and zoning
Emphasis on commissioning and handover procedures
Enhanced visual alerting options (VADs) for deaf and hard-of-hearing occupants
It’s crucial that any installer working on your fire alarm system fully understands and implements the 2025 standards. That’s why choosing a competent installer, such as Mid Cheshire Electrical, is vital.
Signs Your System Needs Upgrading
You might already have a fire alarm system in place, but is it fit for the future? Common signs that it may be time to upgrade include:
Frequent false alarms disrupt your business or damage trust
Lack of remote monitoring or cloud connectivity
Inadequate coverage or detection zones
Outdated control panels with no event logging or diagnostic features
Difficulty sourcing replacement parts or servicing support
Today’s systems are smarter, more reliable, and easier to maintain. We help clients choose between performance, cost, and flexibility based on their risk profile and building type.
Accessibility Matters: Inclusive Fire Alarm Design
Fire safety must account for everyone in your building, including people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have other sensory or mobility impairments.
The 2025 update includes guidance on:
Installing Visual Alarm Devices (VADs) in key locations
Using vibrating pillow pads or pagers in sleeping areas
Implementing clear zone maps and signage
Designing systems to accommodate individuals with limited mobility
If your premises serve the public, vulnerable groups, or have sleeping occupants, accessibility isn’t optional, it’s essential. We offer tailored advice and inclusive solutions to meet these needs.
Fire Alarm Integration: Building a Unified Safety Network
In modern commercial buildings, your fire alarm system shouldn’t operate in isolation. It should integrate seamlessly with other fire protection elements such as:
Emergency lighting systems
Smoke extraction and ventilation
Sprinklers and fire suppression
Security and building management systems (BMS)
We specialise in installing integrated fire safety systems that not only keep people safe but also improve building management efficiency.
The Business Case for Upgrading Your System
Beyond safety and compliance, modern fire alarm systems offer tangible business benefits:
Reduced false alarms minimise downtime and emergency callouts
Remote monitoring offers peace of mind and quicker response times
Modern systems improve building insurance premiums
Compliance helps avoid fines and improves reputation
Work With Cheshire’s Trusted Fire Alarm Experts
Based in Northwich and serving the wider Mid Cheshire region, Mid Cheshire Electrical is your local partner for:
Fire alarm installation to BS 5839‑1:2025
Risk assessment reviews and upgrade consultations
Friendly, professional service with local knowledge
We work with businesses of all sizes, from small offices and cafés to large educational and industrial premises.
Don't wait until an inspection or emergency exposes your vulnerabilities. Let us assess your existing system, identify compliance gaps, and recommend the right upgrade.
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