The Importance of Fire Alarm Testing
With 13,550 fire incidents reported in commercial buildings in the UK in 2022/23, the effects can be devastating, with 80% of businesses failing within 18 months as a result.
A professionally installed fire detection systems can help identify fire in its earliest stages. A fire alarm alerts your staff and gives them time to evacuate before the fire has time to cause injury or loss of life, but even the most advanced systems can develop faults over time.
Regular fire alarm testing by an experienced engineer is the best way to ensure that your fire detection systems are working properly, giving you the best chance of successful evacuation in the event of a fire.
What are my legal obligations?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires all commercial premises to have a suitable fire detection and warning system in place, and this system should be tested regularly.
The UK government advises testing commercial fire alarms weekly according to British Standard BS 5839 and GOV.UK regulations on workplace fire safety equipment, drills, and training. If you decide to test your fire alarm less often than the recommended weekly interval and a fire officer visits, you will need to provide an explanation for deviating from the BS 5839 guidance.
To comply with the British Standard for fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings in non-domestic premises, your fire detection and fire alarm systems should be serviced by a competent provider every six months.
How often should a fire alarm be tested?
Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 demands that fire alarms are tested weekly. This should be done at varying times every week, and from different call points. This ensures that each fire alarm point throughout your premises gets checked regularly and that the fire alarm control panel is receiving the correct signals.
You should keep a log of each test, recording which call point was tested and at what date. This will help you keep a comprehensive record of your due diligence, which can be shown to a fire officer if necessary.
Who can test a fire alarm?
You don’t need in-depth training or specialist knowledge to test your fire alarms. You will require some basic training to understand the call points and how to reset the alarm panel. For a more in-depth service and maintenance visit, you will need to choose an experienced fire safety company such as Bourne End and Henley Security Systems to comply with fire safety regulations.
What causes a false alarm in a fire alarm system?
False alarms can be caused by a variety of factors, including incorrect detector placement, environmental factors, dust build up, and faults.
Regular fire alarm testing can help identify faults in the positioning of your call points, and any potential issues such as damage. This can help reduce the amount of false alarms, providing peace of mind that your alarm system is fully functioning and is there to keep you safe, not to cause a nuisance.
How often should I practice fire drills at work?
Employers must conduct fire drills annually as a minimum requirement. These drills should be recorded as part of your business’s fire safety and evacuation plan.
During a fire drill, the building’s fire alarms are activated, and everyone is safely evacuated as if there was a real fire. Fire evacuation drills serve as a way to ensure that all staff members are knowledgeable about and trained in current fire safety regulations, evacuation points, and procedures. They also help in testing the functionality of your alarm system.
If your business is looking for an experienced fire safety company to replace or service your existing fire alarm systems, look no further than Bourne End and Henley Security Systems. Call us today on 01628 520 162 for a free, no-obligation survey, or complete our contact form today.
About Bourne End and Henley Security Systems
With over 25 years of experience, you can rely upon Bourne End and Henley Security Systems to install and maintain state of the art fire alarm systems. Based in Marlow and servicing homes and businesses throughout the Thames Valley, our expert fire and security engineers are best placed to provide the most suitable fire detection systems to suit your premises and budget.
Speak to a member of our friendly team today and arrange a visit at a time convenient to you by calling 01628 520 162.