Fire Alarm

Maintenance

Inspect

Test

Certify

Fire Alarm Maintenance

How often should my fire alarm be serviced

BS5839 recommends that the system should be inspected by a competent person at least every six months. A Fire alarm service is a thorough investigation of your whole system, to make sure all components work, and to rectify any errors.

For large premises quarterly inspections are recommended to ensure that all components of the system are in good working order. To simplify- the bigger the system, the more regular the service. This is important to ensure the system does its job, but it is worth noting that the fire service now charge businesses for call outs when they receive a high number of false alarms.

Regularly servicing your system can prevent false alarms and system errors, and save you money long term!

Fire Alarm – User Weekly Testing

Do I need to test my fire alarm every week?

Yes! Ideally you should check your fire panel daily for faults or issues, but a full weekly test is essential for keeping your fire system in good working order. Weekly testing is like a spot check between services- to help identify any issues and make sure everything is compliant. It is a regulatory requirement to have a fully operational fire system and will ensure you are complying with the relevant British standards.

You could decide to test less frequently, but if you have a fire you would need to explain why you chose to do this to any investigating fire officers.

How do I do a fire weekly fire alarm test?

Your “Responsible” Person can carry out your weekly Fire Alarm test. In each weekly test you should activate at least one fire alarm call-point and check that the alarm sounds and the panel receives this signal:

You should always test a different call-point each week to ensure that the whole system is checked over a period of time.
Once tested, you can reset your panel, or call your fire safety company if you encounter a problem or a fault is showing.
Finally and most importantly you need to record the test, including the location of the call-points you tested.

Fire Alarm Faults

What happens if something goes wrong with the fire alarm system?

Examples of common fire system faults;

False alarms
Fault light on the panel
Loss of power
Irregular beeping

If the above, or any other faults occur it is important that you report this immediately to your fire protection company. If you do not do this then your fire system is not being “adequately maintained” and you are therefore not in compliance with the relevant standards and legislation. For common and non-urgent faults your fire protection company should attend site within 48 hours, however, when the panel is in a fire condition, you are having false alarms or the system is completely powered down they should attend sites within 4 hours. Md Bro’s is able to attend call outs in the Gloucestershire and south west areas. If you need us to attend a call out please call us on 01452 645073.

Fire Alarm – False Alarms

How do I stop false alarms on my fire alarm system?

False alarms will not only disrupt business but can also cause serious issues when Fire and Rescue Service resources are busy answering false alarms when they should be attending incidents where life or property is in danger. To reduce the likelihood of false alarms on systems incorporating automatic fire detectors it is very important that a suitable system of testing and maintenance is in place. The cause of any false alarm should be properly investigated with measures being taken to avoid a repetition.

Fire Alarm- Automatic Door Release Mechanisms

What are automatic door release mechanisms?

Some Fire Systems have automatic door release mechanisms installed on to fire doors, so that when the fire alarm goes off, the fire doors close. This is to ensure that fire spread is reduced and/or contained, preserving both premises and most importantly life. A well maintained fire door that is properly closed can protect life for a significant amount of time.

It is imperative that fire doors are not wedged or propped open, as this can prevent automatic door release mechanisms from working, and will stop fire doors closing properly.

Testing of automatic door release mechanisms- when should this be done?

WEEKLY – In conjunction with the fire alarm test, check that all the doors are being released and closing fully into the door rebates.

Note: All checks, tests and maintenance including faults and remedial action taken, should be recorded. The date on which each fault is rectified should also be recorded. in your fire alarm logbook, if you would like a free logbook please contact us.

Get In Touch

If you have any questions about the above information, or you would like us to provide a completely free Fire Alarm Maintenance quote, please do not hesitate to contact us.