The law puts the fire alarm on the responsible person. Some checks they can do themselves every week; others need an engineer twice a year. Here is who does what.
The responsible person
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person for a workplace or the common parts of a building must make sure fire safety equipment, including the fire alarm, is maintained in working order. In a business that is usually the employer or whoever controls the premises. In a block of flats or an HMO it is usually the freeholder, managing agent or landlord for the common parts.
The responsible person does not have to do every test personally, but they are accountable for making sure the tests happen and are recorded.
The weekly test
BS 5839-1 recommends a simple test every week, which someone on site can do once shown how:
- Operate a manual call point using the test key, a different one each week in rotation.
- Check the panel shows the right call point or zone, and that the sounders operate.
- Keep the sounders running for no more than about a minute, then silence and reset the panel.
- Do it at roughly the same time each week, so people know it is a test.
- Write it in the logbook: the date, time, which call point and anything that did not work.
- Tell the alarm receiving centre first if the system is monitored.
What needs an engineer
Testing detectors, checking batteries and power supplies, testing interfaces such as door releases and smoke vents, and the overall inspection all need a competent fire alarm engineer at least every six months. The engineer issues the servicing certificate. Emergency lighting needs a monthly function test, which staff can do, and an annual full-duration test by a competent person.
HMOs and rented homes
For domestic-style systems under BS 5839-6, such as the Grade D interlinked alarms in many HMOs, the occupants or landlord should press the test button regularly, and the system should be checked and serviced by a competent person in line with the licence and the manufacturer's instructions, usually at least once a year.
Common mistakes
The problems we find most often:
- The same call point tested every week, so the others are never checked.
- No logbook, or a logbook nobody has written in for months.
- Faults silenced and left, with nothing recorded.
- The servicing contractor stopped coming and nobody noticed.
Need help setting it up?
On our first visit we can show your team how to do the weekly test, set up the logbook and agree a six-monthly service. Call 020 8946 5567, or check whether your fire alarm service is up to date with our quick check.
Need help with this in London?
Security Red Alert covers all 32 London boroughs from our Summerstown SW17 office. Explore our Fire Alarm Installation, Home Fire Alarms, Fire Extinguishers and Emergency Lighting Testing services, or call 020 8946 5567 for a free survey.