We Didn’t Start the Fire! Testing your fire alarm systems

Testing your fire alarm systems

When it comes to the safety of your employees and business, fire alarms are of primary importance. These systems require regular servicing to ensure they are fully functioning at all times. We have put together a simple guide to help you test and maintain your fire alarm systems, so you can stay ahead of the curve and know your systems are primed and ready should a fire event occur.

Your Legal Requirements

In accordance to the law, you must regularly test your fire alarm systems. Legislation states that you are responsible for the fire safety in your business premises if you are an employer, owner, landlord, occupier, or anyone else with control of the premises. Officially, you are known as the ‘responsible person’ and must risk assess the premises, tell staff of these risks, maintain safety measures, plan for an emergency, provide staff with information and training, and keep a logbook up to date with tests and faults.

How often do I test?

As the responsible person, you must carry out a weekly fire alarm test or nominate the next suitable person to do so. The benefits for weekly testing are threefold; to find any faults in the alarm system, to fix any identified faults and to familiarize occupants with the sound of the warning signal.   

It is recommended to carry out the test at a set time and day every week so that your employees are aware of the test. You should also choose a different manual call point each time so that all areas are assessed.

When testing, be sure to trigger the call point but do not sound the alarm for more than one minute. This way, employees can distinguish between the test and the real alarm. Ensure all automatic locking systems and electromagnetic fire doors release and close properly before making sure the system resets correctly. Finally, enter the date and time of the test along with faults in the logbook.

Monthly Tests

In addition to your weekly tests, you also need to conduct a few monthly ones to make sure your alarm system is working sufficiently. If your system uses an automatically started generator, check that this is working properly, likewise if your alarm uses vented batteries for standby power.

When to call the Pros

Your fire alarm system must also undergo maintenance by certified and accredited professionals at least every 6 months to keep your system legally compliant with current regulations. They will test your fire alarms for more serious or hidden faults to ensure they are working effectively.

They will inspect:

• Logbook and false alarm records
• Changes to the building and system
• Manual call points and alarms
• The visual display on fire alarm panel
• Control panel functions
• Devices connected to the system
• Accessibility of call points
• Batteries and vented batteries
• ARC (alarm receiving centre)
• Fault indicators and circuits

They will report their findings in a log book and issue you with a servicing certificate. The period to the next visit is based on a risk assessment and will depend on the type of system, size of the building, the age of the system, amongst other factors.

Fire can devastate property, business, and lives. These guidelines will ensure you have adequate fire protection in place and uphold safety at all times.

To find out more about maintaining or testing your fire alarms, or for any questions regarding fire alarm installation, design, and commission, contact Karsons Consulting today to make sure your business and employees are protected.

Testing your fire alarm systems

When it comes to the safety of your employees and business, fire alarms are of primary importance. These systems require regular servicing to ensure they are fully functioning at all times. We have put together a simple guide to help you test and maintain your fire alarm systems, so you can stay ahead of the curve and know your systems are primed and ready should a fire event occur.

Your Legal Requirements

In accordance to the law, you must regularly test your fire alarm systems. Legislation states that you are responsible for the fire safety in your business premises if you are an employer, owner, landlord, occupier, or anyone else with control of the premises. Officially, you are known as the ‘responsible person’ and must risk assess the premises, tell staff of these risks, maintain safety measures, plan for an emergency, provide staff with information and training, and keep a logbook up to date with tests and faults.

How often do I test?

As the responsible person, you must carry out a weekly fire alarm test or nominate the next suitable person to do so. The benefits for weekly testing are threefold; to find any faults in the alarm system, to fix any identified faults and to familiarize occupants with the sound of the warning signal.   

It is recommended to carry out the test at a set time and day every week so that your employees are aware of the test. You should also choose a different manual call point each time so that all areas are assessed.

When testing, be sure to trigger the call point but do not sound the alarm for more than one minute. This way, employees can distinguish between the test and the real alarm. Ensure all automatic locking systems and electromagnetic fire doors release and close properly before making sure the system resets correctly. Finally, enter the date and time of the test along with faults in the logbook.

Monthly Tests

In addition to your weekly tests, you also need to conduct a few monthly ones to make sure your alarm system is working sufficiently. If your system uses an automatically started generator, check that this is working properly, likewise if your alarm uses vented batteries for standby power.

When to call the Pros

Your fire alarm system must also undergo maintenance by certified and accredited professionals at least every 6 months to keep your system legally compliant with current regulations. They will test your fire alarms for more serious or hidden faults to ensure they are working effectively.

They will inspect:

• Logbook and false alarm records
• Changes to the building and system
• Manual call points and alarms
• The visual display on fire alarm panel
• Control panel functions
• Devices connected to the system
• Accessibility of call points
• Batteries and vented batteries
• ARC (alarm receiving centre)
• Fault indicators and circuits

They will report their findings in a log book and issue you with a servicing certificate. The period to the next visit is based on a risk assessment and will depend on the type of system, size of the building, the age of the system, amongst other factors.

Fire can devastate property, business, and lives. These guidelines will ensure you have adequate fire protection in place and uphold safety at all times.

To find out more about maintaining or testing your fire alarms, or for any questions regarding fire alarm installation, design, and commission, contact Karsons Consulting today to make sure your business and employees are protected.