Automatic fire detection

Automatic fire detection systems detect and give early warning of a fire, helping to protect life and property. Whether your business needs one will depend on your fire risk assessment. 

About automatic fire detection

If a detector device detects a fire or a call point is activated, the alarm is given and provides an early warning to people in the building to evacuate, manually fight the fire and/or call Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS).

Some automatic fire alarms are connected to an alarm receiving centre which is monitored and will alert KFRS. Please note that because such alarms can sometimes be false alarms, KFRS have a policy regarding how we respond, which you can find on our 'False alarms' page. 

Automatic fire detection is made up of several components which generally comprise manual call or 'break glass' points, sounders, and a control panel. 

Control panels allow you to monitor and control the equipment that forms your fire detection system, including the indication of fire and fault signals and their location, automatic monitoring and controlling of the circuits that form your system, and administrative functions including testing and resetting the system.

Why you may require automatic fire detection

Your Fire Risk Assessment will indicate whether you must have an automatic system. (To see the government guidance for your type of premises please go to 'Choose your business type' premises.)

You may need to install an automatic system  in your premises because you have:

  • isolated, remote or lone-working people who may get trapped if there's a fire
  • areas where a fire could start unseen - for example in a storeroom, unoccupied areas, common corridors and circulation spaces 
  • to compensate for the fire protection your building offers - for example, dead-end areas or long distances to travel
  • an automatic smoke control and ventilation system 
  • if your business handles, uses, makes or stores 'low flash point or highly flammable hazardous substances' 
  • provides sleeping accommodation such as hotels and halls of residence, or is a large area such as an airport

Installation of automatic fire detection systems

Automatic fire detection systems must be designed, installed, tested and maintained by a competent person(s) and meet the British Standard 5839-1.

The system should be designed in conjunction with the emergency evacuation procedure for your premises and automatically indicate there is a fire warning and whereabouts in your premises the warning relates to. 

If you have a central control room, your automatic system should communicate with it.