Fire Alarm Design in London for Homes and Businesses
A fire alarm system is only as good as its design. The right detector types, the right locations and the right level of protection make the difference between an early warning and a system that fails when it matters, or one that keeps causing false alarms.
We provide fire alarm design for both domestic and commercial properties across London, from houses and flats to HMOs, shops, offices, restaurants and warehouses. Every design follows the relevant part of BS 5839, the British Standard for fire detection and fire alarm systems in buildings.
About the service
Fire alarm design is the stage where the system is planned before any cable is run. We review how the building is used, who occupies it and the findings of the fire risk assessment, then decide what level of protection is needed and where every device should go.
Our designs are prepared by engineers who hold BS 5839-1 and BS 5839-6 qualifications and have hands-on design experience on commercial projects, including warehouses and drive-through restaurants. Every design includes:
- The recommended system grade and category
- Detector, sounder and manual call point positions on a floor plan
- Control panel location, zoning and cable routes
- Cable and power supply specification
- A design certificate, so any variations are recorded and agreed
Domestic Fire Alarm Design (BS 5839-6)
For homes, fire alarm design follows BS 5839-6, the code of practice for fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises. The standard sets out system grades (such as Grade A, D1, D2 and F), which describe how the system is powered and controlled, and categories (such as LD1, LD2 and LD3), which describe how much of the property is protected.
We design domestic fire alarm systems for:
- Houses and flats
- HMOs and shared houses
- Landlord and rental properties
- Loft conversions, extensions and major renovations
- Sheltered and supported housing
Commercial Fire Alarm Design (BS 5839-1)
For non-domestic buildings, we design to BS 5839-1:2025, the latest edition of the code of practice, which came into effect on 30 April 2025 and replaced the 2017 version. It uses categories such as L1 to L5 (protection of life), P1 and P2 (protection of property) and M (manual systems) to match the system to the risk.
We design commercial fire alarm systems for:
- Offices and workspaces
- Shops and retail units
- Restaurants, cafés and drive-throughs
- Warehouses and industrial units
- Communal areas of residential blocks
For a summary of what changed in the 2025 edition, see BSI’s guide to the BS 5839-1 changes and the IET’s overview of the key changes.
When Do You Need a Fire Alarm Design?
You will usually need a professional fire alarm design when:
- Your fire risk assessment recommends a new or upgraded system
- You are building, extending or converting a property
- A house is being converted into an HMO or flats
- A commercial unit is being fitted out or changing use
- Building Control, your insurer or a fire risk assessor asks for design documentation
Business owners and landlords have legal duties as the “responsible person” under fire safety law. The GOV.UK guide to fire safety in the workplace and the London Fire Brigade’s fire risk assessment guidance explain these responsibilities.
Why Choose Us
- Engineers qualified in BS 5839-1 and BS 5839-6
- Real design experience on commercial projects
- Designs for both domestic and commercial properties
- Clear drawings and documentation for Building Control and insurers
- One team for design, installation, commissioning and servicing
- NAPIT-accredited (Membership No. 65117)
Areas We Cover
We provide fire alarm design services across North London, North West London, West London and South West London, including N, NW, W and SW postcode areas. If your area is not listed below, please contact us to confirm availability.
- North London: N1 – (Islington, Hoxton), N2 – (East Finchley), N3 – (Finchley Central), N4 – (Finsbury Park), N5 – (Highbury), N6 – (Highgate), N7 – (Holloway), N8 – (Crouch End, Hornsey), N9 – (Lower Edmonton), N10 – (Muswell Hill), N11 – (Friern Barnet, New Southgate), N12 – (North Finchley), N13 – (Palmers Green), N14 – (Southgate), N15 – (Seven Sisters), N16 – (Stoke Newington), N17 – (Tottenham), N18 – (Upper Edmonton), N19 – (Archway, Tufnell Park), N20 – (Whetstone), N21 – (Winchmore Hill), N22 – (Wood Green).
- North West London: NW1 – (Camden, Regent’s Park), NW2 – (Cricklewood, Neasden), NW3 – (Hampstead, Belsize Park), NW4 – (Hendon, Brent Cross), NW5 – Kentish Town, NW6 – (Kilburn, Queen’s Park), NW7 – Mill Hill, NW8 – St John’s Wood, NW9 – (Colindale, Kingsbury), NW10 – (Willesden, Harlesden), NW11 – (Golders Green, Hampstead Garden Suburb).
- West London: W1 – (Mayfair, Soho, Marylebone), W2 – (Paddington, Bayswater), W3 – (Acton), W4 – (Chiswick), W5 – (Ealing), W6 – (Hammersmith), W7 – (Hanwell), W8 – (Kensington), W9 – (Maida Vale, Little Venice), W10 – (Ladbroke Grove, North Kensington), W11 – (Notting Hill), W12 – (Shepherd’s Bush), W13 – (West Ealing), W14 – (West Kensington).
- South West London: SW1 – (Westminster, Victoria), SW2 – (Brixton), SW3 – (Chelsea), SW4 – (Clapham), SW5 – (Earl’s Court), SW6 – (Fulham), SW7 – (South Kensington), SW8 – (Vauxhall), SW9 – (Stockwell), SW10 – (West Brompton), SW11 – (Battersea), SW12 – (Balham), SW13 – (Barnes), SW14 – (Mortlake, East Sheen), SW15 – (Putney, Roehampton), SW16 – (Streatham), SW17 – (Tooting), SW18 – (Wandsworth), SW19 – (Wimbledon), SW20 – (Raynes Park, South Wimbledon).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do you design fire alarms for both homes and businesses?
Yes. We design domestic systems to BS 5839-6 and commercial systems to BS 5839-1:2025, including mixed-use buildings such as shops with flats above.
What is the difference between BS 5839-1 and BS 5839-6?
BS 5839-1 covers non-domestic premises such as offices, shops and warehouses, as well as the communal areas of blocks of flats. BS 5839-6 covers domestic premises such as houses, flats, HMOs and sheltered housing.
What information do you need to design a fire alarm?
Ideally, floor plans, the fire risk assessment and details of how the building is used. If you don’t have plans, we can survey the property and prepare a layout.
Do I need a fire risk assessment before the design?
For commercial premises and the communal areas of flats, a fire risk assessment is a legal requirement and should guide the design. For houses and flats, the design follows BS 5839-6 based on the type of property and its risks.
Will I receive design drawings and a certificate?
Yes. You receive a layout showing every device and a design certificate, so the design is properly documented in line with BS 5839.
Can you also install the system you design?
Yes. We can take your system from design through installation, commissioning and ongoing servicing, so one team is responsible for the whole job.
Book a fire alarm design with us
We are NAPIT-accredited electricians providing fire alarm design for domestic and commercial properties across all London boroughs. Whether you need a BS 5839-6 design for a house, flat or HMO, or a BS 5839-1 design for an office, shop or warehouse, our engineers produce clear layouts and a design certificate for every project.
Contact us to book your fire alarm design or to discuss your requirements.
Fill in the form below with your details and a brief description of your requirements and we will get back to you within 12 hours.
