BS 5839-3:1988

This standard BS 5839-3:1988 Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings is classified in these ICS categories:

• 13.320 Alarm and warning systems
• 13.220.20 Fire protection

This part of BS 5839 specifies construction, electrical and performance requirements and methods of test for automatic release mechanisms for certain fire protection equipment. The automatic release mechanisms are intended to hold open (or closed) fire protection equipment such as fire doors, fire shutters, fire dampers, etc. against the force of a door-closing (or door-opening) mechanism, and to release the fire door, fire shutter, fire damper, etc. on manual operation or on receipt of a signal from a fire detection system, one or more smoke or fire detectors or from a central point in a building.

This standard does not cover the following:

1. devices for the release of automatic extinguishing systems or fixed fire extinguishers;

2. fusible links and thermal trips used for releasing fire doors, fire shutters, fire dampers, etc. which are not part of a fire detection and alarm system and which therefore do not affect the design and construction of any fire detection and alarm system that may be installed;

3. closing (or opening) mechanisms, e.g. door closers;

   NOTE 1 Door closers are specified in !BS EN 1154".

4. release mechanisms incorporated into closing or opening mechanisms;

5. release mechanisms which utilize friction between the mechanism and a fixed surface to prevent the door closing, e.g. plunger type devices;

6. fire detection and alarm systems and smoke or fire detectors nor their disposition;

7. precautions that may be necessary if the release of fire protection equipment is either hazardous or, in the absence of any fire, costly or inconvenient;

8. apparatus that may send a signal to release.

NOTE 2 In this standard, to avoid repetition, the term “open” includes the term “closed” and conversely, and the term “door” includes fire doors, fire shutters, fire dampers and other fire protection equipment that are required to be held against the force of a door-closing (or door-opening) device and released when necessary.

NOTE 3 The titles of the publications referred to in this part of BS 5839 are listed on the inside back cover.

Constructional and performance requirements for mechanisms intended to hold open (or closed) fire protection equipment such as fire doors, dampers etc, releasing on manual operation or receipt of a fire signal.