CHAS Accredited
How Often Should A Commercial Fire Alarm Be Serviced?
How often should a commercial fire alarm be serviced? For many UK commercial fire alarm systems, professional inspection and servicing is normally arranged at approximately six-month intervals, alongside routine user testing.
For commercial fire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic premises, professional inspection and servicing is generally carried out at approximately six-month intervals. Routine user testing should also continue between professional maintenance visits.
How Often Should Your Commercial Fire Alarm Be Serviced?
A commercial fire alarm is a life safety system and should be maintained through a planned programme of inspection, testing and servicing. For systems falling within the scope of BS 5839-1, professional inspection and servicing visits are normally arranged at approximately six-month intervals.
This professional servicing is separate from the routine fire alarm tests carried out by the user, responsible person or other nominated person at the premises.
Approximately six months between professional inspection and servicing visits is the normal benchmark for many commercial fire alarm systems covered by BS 5839-1. The maintenance arrangements should remain suitable for the system, premises and fire safety requirements.
What Happens During A Commercial Fire Alarm Service?
A professional fire alarm service involves considerably more than checking whether the control panel is showing a healthy condition. The engineer will inspect and test relevant parts of the system and look for defects that could affect its reliability or operation.
- Fire alarm control and indicating equipment
- Manual call points
- Automatic smoke and heat detection
- Alarm sounders and visual alarm devices where fitted
- Power supplies and standby batteries
- System fault indications and monitoring
- Relevant fire alarm interfaces
- Automatic signalling equipment where applicable
- System records and fire alarm logbook information
- Obvious building changes that may affect the fire alarm system
Does Every Fire Alarm Device Need Testing At Every Visit?
The testing programme depends on the size, design and complexity of the fire alarm system and the maintenance arrangements in place. On larger commercial systems, device testing can be planned across successive maintenance visits.
The important point is that the maintenance programme is suitable for the particular system and that appropriate records are retained showing the inspection and testing completed.
What About The Weekly Fire Alarm Test?
Professional fire alarm servicing does not replace routine user testing. The two serve different purposes and form separate parts of the overall maintenance regime.
A commercial fire alarm system is commonly tested each week by operating a manual call point and confirming that the alarm system responds correctly. Successive tests should use different call points where appropriate, and the test should be recorded in the fire alarm logbook.
Where the fire alarm transmits signals to an alarm receiving centre or another monitoring arrangement, the correct procedures should be followed before and after testing to avoid unnecessary alarm signals.
Why Regular Fire Alarm Servicing Is Important.
Fire alarm systems are life safety systems. Planned inspection and maintenance helps identify faults, deterioration and changes that could affect the reliability or performance of the system.
Smoke detectors and other devices can be affected by contamination, damage or their operating environment.
Standby batteries deteriorate over time and their condition is an important part of planned fire alarm maintenance.
Wiring, communication, device and power supply faults can affect the reliability and operation of the system.
Changes to layouts, room use or building configuration can affect whether the existing fire alarm provision remains appropriate.
Has Your Building Changed Since The Fire Alarm Was Installed?
Commercial premises frequently change during the life of a fire alarm system. Offices may be divided, rooms can change use, storage arrangements can alter and new walls or extensions may be introduced.
Significant alterations can potentially affect detection coverage, alarm audibility, manual call point locations and other aspects of the fire alarm system.
Who Should Service A Commercial Fire Alarm?
Commercial fire alarm inspection and servicing should be undertaken by a competent person with suitable knowledge, training and experience of fire detection and alarm systems.
The engineer should understand the system, appropriate testing procedures and relevant standards, and be capable of identifying defects that could affect system performance.
Businesses should consider technical competence, commercial experience, documentation, response capability and the provider’s ability to support the particular system installed at the premises.
Commercial Fire Alarm Servicing & Maintenance.
SCM Fire & Safety provides planned commercial fire alarm servicing, maintenance, fault finding and remedial works for businesses, landlords, contractors and facilities managers.
We support commercial premises including hotels, warehouses, offices, schools, industrial premises and managed properties.
Commercial Fire Alarm Servicing Questions.
How often should a commercial fire alarm be serviced?
Professional inspection and servicing for commercial fire alarm systems within the scope of BS 5839-1 is normally arranged at approximately six-month intervals.
Is a weekly fire alarm test the same as servicing?
No. Routine user testing and professional inspection and servicing are separate parts of the overall fire alarm maintenance regime.
Should fire alarm tests be recorded?
Routine tests, faults, maintenance visits and relevant events should be appropriately recorded in the fire alarm logbook.
Can SCM take over an existing fire alarm system?
SCM Fire & Safety can inspect and maintain many existing commercial fire alarm systems, subject to system condition, compatibility and availability of suitable support and parts.
What is checked during a fire alarm service?
The service can include control equipment, detection, call points, alarm devices, batteries, faults, interfaces and relevant system records depending on the installation and maintenance programme.
Does professional servicing replace weekly testing?
No. Professional servicing and routine user testing perform different functions and should form part of the overall planned maintenance arrangements.
Should a fire alarm be checked after building alterations?
Significant changes to layouts or building use can affect fire alarm provision, so the suitability of the existing system may need to be reviewed.
Can SCM provide ongoing fire alarm maintenance?
Yes. SCM Fire & Safety provides planned commercial fire alarm servicing, maintenance, fault finding and remedial works.
Commercial Fire Safety Responsibilities.
Fire alarm maintenance forms part of wider fire safety management within commercial premises. Businesses and responsible persons should ensure their fire precautions remain appropriate for the premises.
Official information covering workplace fire safety responsibilities is available directly from GOV.UK.
View GOV.UK GuidanceIs Your Next Fire Alarm Service Due?
Whether you need planned servicing, have inherited a commercial fire alarm with limited maintenance records or are considering changing your existing provider, speak directly to SCM Fire & Safety.