BS8629 Evacuation Alert Systems

At AC Integrated Solutions Ltd we have designing & installing Life Safety Systems since 1993 to Commercial, Industrial & Domestic premises for a wide range of Clients.

What is BS8629?

The impact from the Grenfell tragedy continue to be felt across the construction industry.

BS8629 is a code of practice that details and makes recommendations on the installation of evacuation alert systems (EAS) in residential buildings such as flats. These systems are not to be regarded as fire detection and alarm systems. Instead, they are intended for use by fire and rescue personnel in the rare scenario where a residential building requires evacuation.

It’s important to mention that this standard doesn’t imply that “stay put” practices used in modern blocks of flats is no longer recommended. Its goal is to define a standard which gives fire and rescue personnel the tools to perform duties in an emergency.

Is BS8629 a Mandatory Requirement?

If your building is for residential occupancy, over 18 metres in height and has a stay put policy, then in England and Scotland it is required by Approved Document B that a BS 8629 evacuation system is installed.

Additionally, if your building is less than 18m or elsewhere in the UK with a stay put policy, it’s recommended to consult a risk assessor. The assessor may recommend an EAS is installed in compliance with BS 8629.

BS8629 Overview

The recommendations made are aimed at the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of EAS systems. These include Evacuation Alert Control and Indicating Equipment such as sounders within each flat. These systems should be available to operate by the fire and rescue services when required.

It describes how EAS systems should be installed in such a way that they can reliably be used to remotely alert flat occupants with evacuation or emergency instructions. Removing the need for these emergency personnel to manually notify each resident.

EAS and similar systems comprise of evacuation alert control and indicating equipment (EACIE). These devices put control of an evacuation of a building in the hands of the emergency services. The BS 86229:2019+A1:2023 document provides recommendations on how these systems should be installed and configured to maintain reliability during an emergency.

EACIE devices include;

Sounders that will alert building occupants of the requirement to evacuate. Some sounders can include a visual beacon indicator.

Isolators which are designed to maintain operation of the system during fault conditions.

Evacuation Alert Panels that emergency services can use to control the evacuation of the building in a controlled zone-by-zone manor.

How can we help?

• All of our Life Safety systems are open protocol so you won’t be tied into just one manufacturer or supplier
• We can survey for you or design/cost direct from general arrangement drawings
• All of our staff are “competent & responsible” persons and are suitably qualified
• Works Certified to British Standards