BS 5839–1:2025 — A New Era for Competency in Fire Safety
On 29 April 2025, the fire safety industry reached a major milestone. The updated BS 5839–1:2025 Code of Practice was officially published in the UK, replacing the 2017 version with immediate effect.
Among several important updates, one development stands out: for the first time, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is explicitly referenced in a fire code of practice.
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Why This Matters
BS 5839–1 is a cornerstone document for the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic premises. It doesn’t just ensure compliance — it helps protect lives.
The 2025 update puts competency in the spotlight. Clause 3.13 now defines a competent person as:
“Suitably trained and qualified by knowledge and practical experience, and provided with the necessary instructions, to enable the required task(s) to be carried out correctly. NOTE: Maintenance of competence is likely to require continuing professional development (CPD).”
This sets a new benchmark. It formalises what many of us have long believed: that ongoing learning is essential in a fast-evolving industry.
CPD: From Optional to Essential
While CPD has long been expected for Fire Risk Assessors and those in Fire & Rescue, its inclusion in BS 5839–1 signals a broader cultural shift. It’s no longer a “nice to have” — it’s a clear expectation for anyone involved in fire safety.
In an industry shaped by changing technology, regulations, and user needs, CPD offers more than just compliance. It helps professionals stay informed, confident, and capable of protecting lives and property.
The Customer Experience Challenge
At Detectortesters, we’ve always supported raising the bar on competency. Since 2020, our training has been CPD-certified by the FIA, helping thousands of users get the most from products like Solo, XTR2, Testifire, and Scorpion.
But we’ve also faced a challenge.
Our CPD training has traditionally been delivered via live webinars in English — great for the UK, but difficult for our users in other parts of the world. We export to over 150 countries, so:
- Time zones can make attendance difficult
- Many of our customers are not native English speakers
- More and more professionals want self-paced learning to fit CPD around their own working hours
The AI-Driven Solution: 24/7 Learning, Multilingual Support
Starting very soon, we’ll begin rolling out a new Learning Management System (LMS) designed to address these global challenges. This LMS will support:
- Self-paced CPD learning
- Multiple languages including English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch
- 24/7 access, making training available on-demand, wherever and whenever it’s needed
Thanks to advances in AI, we’ll be able to:
- Translate technical video and text content with much greater speed and accuracy
- Build structured, engaging learning modules far more efficiently
- Personalise learning experiences for users across different markets
This will mark a step-change in how we support our global users — and a glimpse of how AI can enable smarter customer education in regulated industries.
Raising the Bar for Everyone
Competency is no longer a static achievement — it’s an ongoing journey. With the right tools, we can help professionals around the world meet the new expectations set by BS 5839–1.
Whether you’re a fire engineer in in the UK or further afield in the UAE, CPD is about to become more accessible, more flexible, and more inclusive.
