A man in blue workwear and a hard hat holds a folder whilst reviewing an evacuation plan and Security and Fire Alarms on the wall. The Spire logo is visible in the lower right corner.

Do you know your fire alarm and intruder alarm specifications? 

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As a logistics centre manager or warehouse owners, you’ll be acutely aware of the need for robust and reliable fire safety and intruder alarm systems. Your system should consist of various categories of fire alarm and intruder alarms, to ensure everything stored in your centre (and the people in it) are protected against fire and intruders/theft as much as possible. 

The category of each part of your system is also important information your insurance company may want to know, to ensure the stock that you hold for your clients has the correct level of cover to minimise risk. 

For example, a grade 2 intruder alarm may not be fit for purpose in your premises, or an L3 fire alarm may not cover enough of the property to satisfy your insurance company. Your insurance may require grade 3 intruder alarms or DP3 monitoring system, and a L1 fire alarm with DP3 monitoring.

At Spire, we take the confusion out of fire systems categories. We conduct a full survey of your premises, and either create a new fire risk assessment or use your existing one. We can identify the correct category for your fire alarm and intruder systems, ensuring your system fully matches the building’s risk profile and is therefore compliant with the required standards.

How many categories of fire alarm systems are there?

The various categories of fire alarm systems are laid out under the new BS 5839-1:2025, which covers the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in non-domestic premises. (This was updated last year from the existing BS 5839-1:2017.)

The BS 5839 standards for non-domestic premises fall into three main categories depending on the level of cover required:

  • Manual (M)
  • Life Protection (L1–L5)
  • Property Protection (P1–P2)

To fully protect your people, premises and stock, most logistics centres will require a higher level fire alarm system designed above all else to protect life, as per the example above. If your fire alarm coverage is non-compliant, your company could face severe fines and your insurance may be invalid.

Category L: Life Protection 

L1 (Maximum Protection): A L1 fire alarm systems provides automatic detection throughout all areas. This highest level of system is ideal for hotels, care homes, and high-risk buildings.

L2 (Additional Protection): An L2 fire system will include detectors for escape routes, identifiable high-risk areas, plus extra coverage for ant associated sleeping risks.

L3 (Standard Protection): An L3 system includes detection along escape routes and rooms adjoining them, designed to protect your employees and visitors in the event of an evacuation.

L4 (Modest Protection): L4 only provides coverage for shared escape routes such as corridors and stairways).

L5 (Localized Protection): Despite its lower number, L5 systems are bespoke systems for specific risks or unique architectural features. These systems feature localised life protection automated fire alarm system in specific high risk areas. So you might have an L2 system across your premises, but an L5 for a high risk area such as a data server room or stand-alone workshop. 

Category P: Property Protection 

P1 (Maximum Protection): Often used for high-value premises, P12 systems provide automatic detection throughout the building to minimise damage.

P2 (Minimum Protection): Similar to L5, alarm detectors are installed in specific areas where there is a high fire risk, including storage.

What are the grades of intruder alarms?

An intruder alarm system is designed to prevent or mitigate incidents of burglary, robbery, malicious damage and arson at home or for commercial premises. Intruder alarms are graded from 2 to 4, although most insurance companies require at least a Grade 2 system and for high risk/high value commercial premises, they can expect Grade 3. 

Grade 2: Low-Medium Risk (Standard Residential) 

Aimed to protect against a prepared intrusion at domestic premises, and smaller low-risk commercial premises including small offices.

Grade 3: Medium-High Risk (Commercial Standard)

Commercial-level systems that include anti-tampering detection. Mostly installed in warehouses, large commercial properties, and in schools.

Grade 4: High Risk (Maximum Security)

These are systems offering the highest security level, including severe anti-tamper requirements, for high-value storage and high-risk facilities including bank and bonded warehouses.

Don’t skimp on your systems

You can ‘mix and match’ elements from different levels, but be aware that the final grade of your installation is set to the lowest-grade component in your installation. As the British Insurance Brokers’ Association say:

“The installation of an alarm system is a significant investment in the security of your premises, so it makes sense to ‘get it right first time’. If you succumb to the temptation to simply select the cheapest alarm quotation, you may end up with a system that fails to fulfil your, or your insurer’s, expectations, and you may also have bought a system that cannot later be easily altered.” (1)

The design, installation, maintenance and monitoring of intruder alarms must conform to the appropriate British Standards:

  • PD 6662 and BS 8243 (installed alarm system)
  • BS 5979 or BS EN 50518 (continuously manned alarm receiving centre, or ARC)

Need help assessing your intruder alarm requirements?

We’re here to help.

Dual-Path System FAQs

What is a DP (dual-path) monitoring system?

DP systems use two separate communication methods to ensure constant, 24/7 connection between your intruder alarm and our alarm monitoring centre. The idea is that if one method fails, the other immediately kicks in. The system usually connects using both an IP address (internet) and radio/ or 4G signal. 

What do the DP (dual-path) grade number mean?

The number denotes the frequency at which the system contacts the monitoring centre, otherwise known as the Path Ping Frequency or Catastrophic Failure Reporting. So a DP3 system, for example, ‘pings’ the connection every 3 minutes ensuring almost instant reporting of faults or a triggered alarm. A DP3 system also meets BS EN 50136, as required by most insurers. 
 
The response times of each type of system are:
DP1: 25 hours catastrophic failure reporting
DP2: 31 minutes catastrophic failure reporting
DP3: 4 mins catastrophic failure reporting, 3 mins ‘ping’
DP4: 3 mins catastrophic failure reporting, 90 secs ‘ping’

Confused by the numbers?

There’s a bit more to choosing the right system than these numbers might suggest. So do contact us to discuss your requirements and level of protection and detections required. We can help with all your fire and security needs across the Midlands, London and the Home Counties.

About the author

David Whiteside is both Founder and Managing Director of Spire. David has been involved in the Fire & Security industry for over 15 years, experiencing the services at all technical and project levels. With a keen eye for detail, a passion for quality of work and unparalleled customer service, David ensures Spire F&D delivers a service that meets and exceeds to the demands of any industry and sector.

SOURCES:

(1) Intruder Alarms: Guidance for purchasers https://www.biba.org.uk/insurance-guides/intruder-alarm-guides/intruder-alarms-guidance-for-purchasers

(2) https://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-matters/years/2025/107-september-2025/key-changes-to-bs-5839-12025-part-1/

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