A Foolproof Guide to Fire Alarm Testing

Your alarm is among the most important elements of your fire safety system. It provides that crucial alert whenever a fire is detected, giving you and your staff or visitors the time needed to evacuate safely.

That’s why ensuring that it is in full working order at all times is so important; a faulty fire alarm that will not ring in the event of a blaze is of no use at all.

Luckily, checking your building’s fire alarm system is simple. Here are a few useful steps to follow to help you out…

Every Day

It’s not entirely necessary to test every element of your alarm on a daily basis, but ensuring that you give it a visual check can help to avoid issues. If you notice error lights illuminated, or a lack of a power light, immediate contact should be made with whoever looks after your fire alarm maintenance.

Every Week

This is where the checks get a bit more serious.

After notifying everyone in the building as to the impending test, activate a single call point and check that all sounders are fully operational. Ensure that the system is reset correctly (many will require a key or a code – follow manufacturer guidelines).

Check a different call point each week, and try to keep your tests to the same day and time so as not to cause panic among your staff.

Weekly fire alarm tests are actually the only ones that are required by guidelines stated in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and all findings must be logged by the ‘responsible person’ as part of their fire risk assessment process.

Every Month

Monthly is the time to check on any emergency backup power supplies you may have that are connected to your fire alarm – particularly if there are batteries involved.

Every 6 Months

Regardless of whether any issues are discovered during your fire risk assessments that may require more regular testing, your alarm system must be serviced every six months. In line with BS 5839 specifications, these inspections will be able to test for more serious and potentially hidden faults, and should be carried out by a professional fire alarm service provider.

AAI Security Systems

AAI are leading providers of fire alarm services in the London and Home Counties area, helping to keep your business safe from the threat of fire. Our experienced team are on hand to help tailor an alarm system to the exact specifications of your premises, with installation and maintenance (including periodic checks) available to ensure that it remains fully operational at all times.

AAI Security Systems are fully accredited by the Fire & Security Association (FSA), so you can be sure that you’re receiving fire alarm maintenance that’s fully in line with all British Standards and related industry regulations.

For more information, or to arrange for a free site survey and quotation to assess your needs, get in touch today.