Fire Alarm Maintenance
Fire alarm maintenance is a legal requirement in the UK and a critical part of protecting your premises and its occupants. In this guide, we’ll cover how often to test your system, what the law requires, and how to ensure your fire alarms are always fully functional and compliant.
What Is Fire Alarm Maintenance?
Fire Alarm Maintenance involves inspecting, testing, and servicing your fire alarm system to ensure it’s working correctly. This includes checking control panels, sounders, detectors, manual call points, and backup power supplies.
The British Standard BS5839-1 defines the tasks to be carried out during a fire alarm maintenance visit, including the functional testing of all fire alarm devices including smoke detectors, heat detectors and manual call points across a 12 month period.
Why Fire Alarm Maintenance Matters
Maintaining your fire alarm system isn’t just good practice – it’s a legal obligation. Regular maintenance reduces the risk of fire-related injuries or damage, can help ensure your insurance remains valid, and that your alarm activates when it matters most.
Legal Requirements in the UK
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the ‘Responsible Person’ must ensure fire alarms are maintained and tested. British Standard BS 5839-1 recommends weekly user tests and periodic inspection and servicing to be carried out by a ‘competent person’ every 6 months, along with detailed maintenance records. The ‘competent person’ must have specialist knowledge of fire detection and fire alarm systems.
What Happens During a Fire Alarm Service Visit?
- The system logbook is examined to ensure that any faults have received appropriate attention
- A visual inspection is made to check whether any structural or occupancy changes have affected the compliance of the system
- Records of false alarms are checked and the rate of false alarms calculated and recorded for the previous 12 months
- The fire alarm control panel standby batteries are checked
- The fire alarm control panel functions, controls and visual indicators are checked
- All fault indicators and their circuits are checked by simulation of fault conditions
Over a 12 month period:
- All manual call points are tested
- All automatic fire detectors are examined and functionally tested
- Every heat detector tested by means of a suitable heat source
- Smoke detectors tested by a method that can confirm that smoke can enter the detector chamber and produce a fire alarm signal
- Carbon monoxide fire detectors tested by a method that can confirm that carbon monoxide can enter the detector chamber and produce a fire alarm signal
- Multi sensor fire detectors are tested by a method that confirms that products of combustion in the vicinity of the detector can reach the sensors and that the fire signal response is confirmed at the fire control panel
- All fire alarm devices including sounders and visual alarm devices are checked for correct operation and visual alarm devices not obstructed
- Visual inspection of all readily accessible cable fixings
- The cause and effect programme is confirmed as being correct
- The standby power supply capacity is checked
- A check made to determine whether a suitable zone plan is provided adjacent to the fire alarm control panel
On completion of the work, any outstanding defects are reported to the premises management, the system logbook is updated and a servicing certificate is issued.
Risks of Ignoring Fire Alarm Maintenance
Failing to maintain your fire alarm system can result in severe consequences, including fires, prosecution, and invalidated insurance.
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Fire Alarm Testing Schedule
| Task | Frequency | Responsibility |
| Manual call point tested to provide a fire alarm signal, sounders operate correctly and fire signal received by Alarm Receiving Centre (if monitored system) |
Weekly | User |
| Periodic Inspection and Testing | Every 6 months | BAFE SP203-1 Accredited Contractor |
Who Can Perform Fire Alarm Maintenance?
Periodic inspection and servicing needs to be carried out by a competent person with specialist knowledge of fire detection and alarm systems.
While weekly fire alarm tests can be done in-house by the user, periodic testing and servicing should be completed by an accredited fire safety contractor. BAFE SP203-1 is the Third Party Certification scheme for fire detection and alarm systems in the UK.
Get Expert Fire Alarm Maintenance Services Today
At Sunfish, we provide certified fire alarm maintenance across England. We are BAFE SP203-1 accredited. We'll help you stay compliant, safe, and worry-free. Call us on 01332 865091.
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Fire Alarm Maintenance FAQs
Do I have to have my fire alarm maintained?
It is a requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 that any “facilities, equipment and devices” provided to safeguard persons under the Order, are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.
How often is maintenance required?
The period between successive inspection and servicing visits should not exceed six months.
How often should my fire alarm be tested?
At least once a week, with periodic servicing and testing every six months.
What is fire alarm maintenance?
Fire alarm maintenance ensures that buildings are compliant with UK fire safety legislation and meet the codes of practice for BS5839-1 (Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings) in non-domestic properties.
Fire maintenance can include inspections, servicing, repairing and upgrading fire alarm systems within a building to ensure they are in working order and up to date.
This can include the maintenance of emergency lighting, fire alarm panels or different types of fire alarms that contribute to a premises fire detection system.
Can I perform fire alarm maintenance myself?
You can perform weekly checks, but accredited engineers should carry out servicing and certification.