There's a great deal of debate amongst fire safety professionals at the moment about the pros and cons of specifying a Grade D, LD2 system in homes as opposed to an LD3 system. Advocates of the LD3 system argue that it's adequate, meeting the minimum requirements of BS 5839: Pt.6: 2004 and, of course, costs less to install than an LD2 system. What's more, installing an LD3 system involves less disruption to a property - particularly important if it is rented out. On the other hand, those who favour LD2 as 'Best Practice' argue that it is not acceptable that 'Existing Tenanted Properties' should have less safety coverage than New Build or 'Materially Altered Dwellings' where LD2 is the recommended level of cover. With an eye on the future, they suggest that official safety standards will only get stricter and it's better to have a more comprehensive system installed at the beginning than having to revisit and upgrade all systems at a later date. They also point out that, since an LD2 system offers greater coverage, more risks are automatically covered, requiring less time on Risk Assessment of both property and tenant. As tenants change, the LD2 system can usually remain basically unaltered.
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