Skip to content
English - United Kingdom
Contact us
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

What certificates should a fire alarm system have?

Fire alarm systems need design, installation, commissioning and acceptance certificates under BS 5839-1, plus ongoing service records. What each certificate confirms.

Direct answer

Under BS 5839-1, a new fire detection and alarm system should be documented with separate certificates for its design, installation and commissioning, plus an acceptance certificate signed by the purchaser. Later modifications are covered by a modification certificate rather than by a fresh set of design, installation and commissioning certificates. Together these confirm the system was designed to the agreed category, installed and commissioned correctly, and accepted by or on behalf of the purchaser, with ongoing servicing recorded on the inspection and servicing certificate and in the log book. Confirm the exact certificates required against the current BS 5839-1.

Applies to

  • Products / Models: General guidance (system documentation)
  • Firmware / Version: Not applicable
  • Region: UK
  • Standards: BS 5839-1

Typical certificates (BS 5839-1)

  • Design certificate — issued by the organisation responsible for the design, certifying compliance with the design section of the standard or identifying variations. It should state the system category (M, L1 to L5, P1, P2, or a combination such as P2/M) and, except for Category M, L1 and P1 systems, briefly describe the areas covered by automatic detection. See Fire alarm system categories explained (BS 5839-1: M, L and P).
  • Installation certificate — confirms installation was carried out to the design and standard.
  • Commissioning certificate — confirms the system was tested and is functioning correctly.
  • Acceptance certificate — issued by the organisation with contractual responsibility to the purchaser, and completed and signed by the purchaser (or a representative of the purchaser). It records that the purchaser is satisfied with the system, that the documentation has been handed over, and that the user has been instructed in its operation.
  • Verification certificate (optional) — issued when the purchaser or user commissions an independent audit of the system, typically where design, supply, installation and commissioning were split between different organisations. It states the scope and extent of the verification carried out.
  • Modification certificate — issued on completion of any modification work, confirming that the work conforms to the standard or identifying variations.
  • Inspection and servicing certificate — issued on completion of each service visit, alongside completion of the system logbook and reporting of any outstanding defects. The model form distinguishes the quarterly vented-battery inspection, the periodic inspection and test, and the work carried out over a 12 month period.

Why do these certificates matter?

  • Provide an audit trail of competent design, installation and commissioning.
  • Support the fire risk assessment and may be requested by an enforcing authority or insurer.
  • The person signing each certificate should be competent to judge whether the recommendations for that process have been met. A purchaser or user may later rely on the certificate as evidence of compliance with legislation, and an organisation that issues one without due care could incur liability. See What is a competent person for fire alarm work?.

Documents needed at handover

Alongside these certificates, handover should also include the as-fitted drawings, the operating and maintenance instructions, a suitable diagrammatic representation of the premises displayed close to the control and indicating equipment, the system logbook, and a record of any variations agreed during the work. Without these, later maintenance or modification of the system can be difficult. See What should be recorded in the fire alarm log book? for what goes in the logbook, and How often should a fire alarm system be serviced? for how often the system is inspected and serviced.

When to contact technical support

  • For product-specific commissioning guidance on Hochiki systems.

Safety note

This article is general guidance for Hochiki Europe products. Design, installation, commissioning, maintenance and modification of fire detection and alarm systems should be carried out by, or under the responsibility of, a competent person in accordance with the applicable standards (for example BS 5839-1 in the UK). Statutory requirements imposed by the relevant enforcing authority also apply. Always refer to the current product manual and data sheet for the exact model before carrying out any work.

References

Last reviewed: 2026-10-21 — Reviewed by: Hochiki Europe Technical Support