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Fire alarms for HMOs, flats and landlords

Landlords and managing agents across Kent use us for fire alarms in HMOs, converted buildings and blocks of flats. We design to BS 5839-6:2019+A1:2020 or BS 5839-1:2025, as your fire risk assessment requires, and hand over the certificates your council’s housing team will ask for.

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Written by Ricky Shaw, Technical Director. Last reviewed 30 September 2026.

Illustration: a single-storey floor plan with a detector and a sounder in every room, a manual call point at each of the three final exits, the control panel by the main entrance, and the fire alarm operating: first the kitchen heat detector, then the corridor smoke detector EXITEXITEXIT OfficeOfficeKitchenStore ReceptionMeetingPlantCorridor CIE 1 2 1Fire: kitchen heat detector 2Spreading: corridor Smoke detector HHeat detector Call point Sounder EXITFinal exit CIE = control panel
What fire alarm does an HMO need?

It depends on the building and its fire risk assessment, and your council has the final say. As a guide, smaller HMOs often need a Grade D1 system to Category LD2, while larger HMOs, often those of three or more storeys, need a panel-based Grade A system.

Many councils still base their HMO standards on the LACORS housing fire safety guidance, translated into the current grades of BS 5839-6.

BS 5839-6 grades

BS 5839-6 grades
GradeWhat it is
AA control panel with detectors and sounders, designed to BS 5839-1
CDetectors and sounders on a common power supply with central control
D1Mains-powered alarms with a tamper-proof standby battery
D2Mains-powered alarms with a user-replaceable standby battery
F1 and F2Battery-only alarms (tamper-proof or user-replaceable)

BS 5839-6 categories

BS 5839-6 categories
CategoryWhere the detection goes
LD1Escape routes and every room where a fire could start
LD2Escape routes plus specified higher-risk rooms, such as kitchens and living rooms
LD3Escape routes only
PD1 and PD2Property protection, throughout or in specified rooms

Blocks of flats

Whether a block needs a communal fire alarm depends on its fire strategy. Purpose-built blocks with a “stay put” strategy often have no communal alarm, while converted buildings commonly need one. Your fire risk assessment decides.

In residential buildings at least 18 metres or seven storeys tall, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require monthly checks of firefighting equipment, including fire detection and alarm and evacuation alert systems, and faults not fixed within 24 hours must be reported to the fire and rescue service.

Working with your council

HMO licensing is run by your district council, and its private sector housing team sets fire safety conditions on licences. Send us the conditions and we’ll design to them.

What we do for landlords and agents

  • Survey and advice based on your fire risk assessment and licence conditions
  • Grade A panel systems and Grade D1 interlinked alarm systems
  • Communal systems for converted buildings and blocks
  • Certificates for licence applications and inspections
  • Servicing, testing and repairs, with access arranged around tenants
  • Emergency lighting where your HMO needs it

Questions from landlords

Do I need a fire alarm in an ordinary rented house?

At the very least, landlords in England must fit a smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (not including gas cookers), under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022. HMOs, your council or your fire risk assessment may require more.

What system does a small HMO usually need?

Often a Grade D1 system to Category LD2: mains-powered, interlinked smoke and heat alarms with tamper-proof standby batteries, in the escape route and higher-risk rooms. Your council and fire risk assessment have the final say.

When is a panel-based Grade A system needed?

Usually in larger HMOs, often those of three or more storeys, and in some converted buildings. A Grade A system is designed and installed much like a commercial system, with a control panel, and is serviced about every six months.

Can you work around our tenants?

Yes. We arrange access with you or your agent, keep disruption to a minimum and leave rooms clean.

Sources

This information is general guidance, not advice for any particular building, and standards and guidance change. Get advice from a competent person for your premises. See our website terms and disclaimer.

Get a quote for your HMO or block

Tell us a little about the building and we’ll call you back within one working day. Prefer to talk? Call 01303 720282.

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Or talk to us

Call the office and you’ll speak to someone who knows fire alarms. We’re at Shearway Business Park in Folkestone.