Thousands attend nationwide events on updated fire alarms standard

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has reported that its recent BS 5839-1:2025 Roadshow reached over 2,500 fire safety professionals across the UK, providing updates on new changes to fire alarm system guidance.

According to the FIA, the campaign delivered both in-person seminars and online CPD-certified sessions to help participants understand and apply revisions to the British Standard for fire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic buildings.

More than 7,200 CPD hours were issued across the programme, which the FIA said highlighted strong industry demand for accessible, expert-led education on regulatory developments.

The BS 5839-1:2025 update includes changes in areas such as documentation, system categorisation, remote access, and cyber security.

The FIA said the roadshow aimed to ensure fire alarm designers, installers, and maintainers could interpret and implement the revised standard accurately.

History of the British fire alarm systems code

The FIA explained that BS 5839-1 has served as the foundational code of practice for fire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic UK premises since 1980.

The standard has undergone several updates to reflect advances in technology, practical application, and regulation.

The 2025 version introduces clearer guidance on system categorisation, enhanced expectations for documentation, and greater emphasis on remote connectivity and cyber security.

According to the FIA, industry training has historically played a central role in adoption of code changes.

It said that as the national trade body, it launched the roadshow to provide consistent, clear interpretation through technical seminars and online learning.

The programme formed part of a wider effort to align industry practice with the updated regulations through competence-building and technical support.

Education sessions offer practical support and CPD credits

The FIA said the training covered specification, installation, commissioning, and maintenance challenges arising from the new version of BS 5839-1.

The hybrid delivery model allowed professionals to attend either online or in person depending on preference and availability.

All sessions were CPD certified, and the FIA reported strong feedback from attendees, who found the content informative and well structured.

Participants noted the clarity of the Q&A sessions and the practical nature of the sessions overall.

The FIA stated that the event structure was designed to allow professionals to access the guidance flexibly while gaining formal credit for their participation.

Industry speakers highlight relevance and response

Neil Budd, Technical Manager at the FIA, said the level of participation reflected widespread interest across the sector:

“What stood out for me was how many people got involved, whether face-to-face or online, all wanting to keep up to date.

“It was great to see that kind of engagement, not just from our members but also from others in the industry.”

Oliver Doerle, Head of Customer Experience at Detectortesters and Chair of the FIA Installers & Maintainers Section, also commented on the roadshow’s impact:

“Being closely involved in planning and hosting the FIA BS 5839-1 roadshow events across the UK was a real privilege.

“Whenever BS 5839-1 is revised, it marks a major moment for our industry – it’s the backbone of how we design, install, commission, and maintain fire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic buildings.d

“But let’s be honest: keeping pace with the changes can be daunting.

“There’s a lot to take in, and with no transition period, it’s vital to get up to speed quickly.

“That’s where the FIA makes a real difference.

“These roadshows gave attendees direct access to expert technical insight, breaking down the changes in a clear, digestible way.

“The feedback I heard was overwhelmingly positive.

“People left feeling informed, confident, and ready to apply the updated standard.”

Technical delivery team and FIA’s training alignment

The FIA said the roadshow programme was developed and delivered by its in-house technical experts and industry partners.

Presenters included Will Lloyd (FIA Head of Technical and Chair of FSH/12), Neil Budd (FIA Technical Manager), Jamie Gale (FIA Technical Officer), Robert Thilthorpe (FIA Technical Manager), and Ken Bullock (BAFE).

Oliver Doerle also supported planning and hosting of the events.

The FIA’s Events and Training Department coordinated logistics for the sessions across multiple regions.

The organisation said that the roadshow also served as an opportunity to update its formal training programmes in line with BS 5839-1:2025.

All training content was reviewed to ensure consistency with the revised code and to support professional development aligned with new regulatory expectations.

BS 5839-1:2025 fire alarms update reaches UK professionals: Summary

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) delivered a UK-wide roadshow on BS 5839-1:2025.

The sessions were designed to explain changes to fire alarm systems guidance in non-domestic premises.

More than 2,500 professionals participated in the events.

Over 7,200 CPD hours were awarded across the campaign.

The British Standard BS 5839-1:2025 includes new sections on documentation, system types, cyber security, and remote access.

The FIA delivered the roadshow both in-person and online.

Neil Budd and Oliver Doerle were among the key contributors.

Sessions were led by technical staff from the FIA and BAFE.

The roadshow also informed updates to FIA training courses.

Participants gave positive feedback on content quality and delivery.

The FIA confirmed it prioritises education and regulatory alignment through initiatives like this roadshow.