On 30 April 2025, the British Standard BS 5839-1:2017 was officially withdrawn and replaced by BS 5839-1:2025, introducing a range of updates to how fire detection and alarm systems are designed, installed, and maintained in non-domestic premises across the UK.
If you’re responsible for fire safety in offices, care homes, schools, hotels, or other multi-occupancy buildings, it’s essential to understand what’s changed, especially when it comes to your zone plans and overall fire compliance.
The Role of Zone Plans in the New BS 5839-1:2025
A zone plan provides a visual map of a building’s fire alarm zones, showing how areas are divided for detection and evacuation purposes. It’s typically displayed beside the fire alarm control panel and helps staff and fire and rescue services locate incidents quickly.
Under BS 5839, zone plans are now more than just good practice, they are a mandatory compliance requirement. Inaccurate or missing plans are now considered a major non-conformity. The updated guidance from the Fire Industry Association (FIA) emphasises the importance of clear orientation, up-to-date layouts, and accurate zoning.
At Fire3D, our online zone chart software and fire alarm CAD design services help ensure your building documentation meets every element of the 2025 update, with precision, compliance, and clarity.
Key Updates in BS 5839-1:2025 That Impact Zone Plans and Fire Alarm Design
1. Enhanced Detection Requirements
Smoke detectors are now clearly preferred over heat detectors in sleeping areas such as hotels, care homes, and student accommodation. This shift improves early detection in high-risk environments and affects how zones are planned and drawn.
2. Detection in Additional Areas
Previously low-risk spaces, such as toilet lobbies, may now require detection depending on the system’s category and risk profile. Your zone plans should reflect these added detection points for full accuracy.
3. Lift Shafts and Escape Routes
Category L4 systems must now include detection at the top of lift shafts, enhancing protection along vertical escape routes. Your zone layout must incorporate this new requirement clearly.
4. Manual Call Point Placement
Revised guidance strengthens the accessibility and visibility of manual call points. These should be reflected in your fire alarm CAD layouts and updated zone diagrams.
5. False Alarm Management and System Labelling
Fire alarm panels that automatically notify fire and rescue services must now display a ‘False Alarm Notice’. Zone plans adjacent to these panels should clearly identify zones and corresponding labels for faster decision-making.
6. New Monitoring and Maintenance Rules
Alarm activation must be monitored within 90 seconds, and faults detected within 3 minutes. Zone charts and documentation must be checked and verified at every service to ensure alignment with these performance requirements.
7. Documentation and Certification Updates
The new standard introduces revised certification forms, a new section for extensions and modifications, and updated terminology. All supporting documents, including zone plans, must reflect the 2025 revision.
What These Changes Mean for Building Owners and Fire Safety Professionals
These updates are not just administrative, they carry significant implications for fire regs, compliance, and safety.
From better detection in vulnerable settings to clearer rules on system alterations, BS 5839-1:2025 aims to create faster, more reliable responses to fire while improving inclusivity and understanding for users of all abilities.
For building owners, responsible persons, and service providers, this update is a call to action: Ensuring your fire alarm systems are designed, installed, and maintained to the latest standard is essential not only for fire compliance but also for protecting your building portfolio and everyone within it.
Bottom Line:
At Fire3D, we specialise in delivering zone plans and zone chart software that meet the latest fire regulations and design standards under BS 5839.
Our service provides:
- CAD standard, compliant fire alarm CAD layouts
- Fast, accurate updates for existing systems
- Integration with your certification and documentation processes
- Guidance aligned with the latest FIA and BSI recommendations
Stay ahead of the changes, make sure your zone plans and fire safety documentation are ready for BS 5839-1:2025.
Want us to give you the tools to create compliant zone plans in house?
Click this button to see how Fire3D creates zone charts using an simple to use drag and drop interface. We produce zone plans at the same quality you would expect from autoCAD or other more complex methods.
Make designing zone plans a breeze.
P.s. We can also save you a fortune on outsourced Zone Plan costs. 💰🤫
And... We also have a selection of AI assisted system design tools to help you design fire alarm systems without the headache of complex calculations and guesswork
Fire3D AI Detector Coverage Calculations
Fire3D calculates these coverage distances automatically and adjusts coverage based on the location of the detector in the room.
There are many other influences on detector coverage such as:
- Maximum device mounting heights
- Proximity to obstacles
- AC & HVAC
- Differing ceiling types
- And more...
Fire3D AI takes all of these into account when automatically calculating coverage for detectors. Taking care of this means faster quotes and estimates and cost-effective designs which are not 'Over Specified' winning you more business.
Other Fire3D AI Coverage Calculations
The AI engine also calculates coverage and compliance for many other tests to ensure BS5839 compliance.
Some of these include:
- Risk assessment-based device placements ensuring the correct coverage is in place to comply with the assessment.
- Sounder coverage based on sounder power and ambient decibels in each room.
- VAD coverage based on VAD classification, ambient LUX and daylight compensation in each room.
- MCP walking distance coverage based on floorplan layout and obstructions.
- High risk Rooms ensuring these have MCPs near.
- Fire & Rescue search distances based on floorplan layout, zoning, obstructions and visibility.
- And many more...
Try out Fire3D for yourself
Click the 'Click to see what Fire3D can do' button at the top of the page and start designing today.