Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings - Part 3.Specification for automatic release mechanisms for certain fire protection equipment
1Key Takeaways
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 d…
2Scope / Description
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:
(a) devices for the release of automatic extinguishing
systems or fixed fire extinguishers;
(b) 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;
(c) closing (or opening) mechanisms, e.g. door closers;
NOTE 1. Door closers are specified in BS 6459.
(d) release mechanisms incorporated into closing or
opening mechanisms;
(e) release mechanisms which utilize friction between
the mechanism and a fixed surface to prevent the door
closing, e.g. plunger type devices;
(f) fire detection and alarm systems and smoke or fire
detectors nor their disposition;
(g) 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;
(h) 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.