How to Tell if You Have a Faulty Fire Alarm (and How to Fix it)
Having problems with your business’s fire alarm system? Read on to find out how to identify a faulty fire alarm, the risks of putting off essential repairs and how we can help here at Midland Fire Security Services Ltd.
Installing an effective fire alarm system is of the utmost importance in every commercial setting – but what’s even more important is making sure that it’s functioning correctly. It’s a legal requirement in the UK to keep your fire alarm system properly maintained and a faulty fire alarm could lead to legal penalties at best, and at worst it puts lives and your entire business at risk. A fully operational fire alarm system is essential in protecting your business and ensuring that your building can be safely evacuated in case of an emergency.
So What Are the Signs That Your Fire Alarm is Faulty?
Can you tick anything on the below checklist? Then there’s something not right with your fire alarm system and it’s time to act…
- Intermittent beeping or chirping sounds
- No response to actual smoke or heat
- Failure to sound during routine tests
- Error codes or flashing lights on the control panel
- Regular false alarms
- Weak or muffled alarm sound
- Visible damage to call points, sounders or wiring
How to Test Your Fire Alarm
Sometimes, however, it may be less obvious that elements of your fire alarm system may have failed, so testing your fire alarm system on a weekly basis is crucial in making sure everything is working correctly. Depending on the size and type of your business, your fire alarm system may consist of several different components, each of which needs testing. Here’s a brief overview of what you or your building management team need to do:
- Visual Inspection: Check detectors, call points, alarm sounders and power supplies for damage or obstruction. You should also check your control panel’s power light is on and there are no fault lights showing every day.
- Test Manual Call Points: Activate a different call point each week, checking the control panel for a triggered signal. Reset after testing.
- Test Alarm Sounders/Notification Devices: Trigger alarms and verify sound and visibility throughout your property.
- Test the Control Panel: Ensure it receives signals, activates alarms and communicates with external services.
- Document Results: Record all test outcomes for compliance and future reference.
The Importance of Maintenance and Compliance
As the old saying goes: prevention is better than cure, and that is definitely true in the context of fire safety. In addition to your routine weekly checks, a full system inspection should be carried out at least twice a year, as per the BS 5839 standards, to keep your property and staff safe. This keeps you compliant with your legislative duties, and if you don’t carry out and document this bi-annual servicing your insurance may become invalid.
Planned preventative maintenance carried out by a professional fire safety company ensures that your fire alarm systems stay fully compliant and operational and minimises the risks and costs of ad-hoc emergency repairs. Regular inspections also mean less false alarms and the resulting loss of business time, as well as helping to extend the lifespan of your fire safety equipment. It’s highly recommended that the company you choose for your system maintenance holds UKAS accredited third-party certification, like BAFE.
Why a Faulty Fire Alarm is a Serious Issue
As mentioned, ensuring your fire alarm system is functioning correctly is a legal requirement for all business owners in the UK. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states that fire alarm systems must be “maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order, and in good repair.”
This means that if a fire were to occur at your business premises and components in your fire alarm system were found to be faulty, you could be at risk of fines, legal action or even imprisonment, not to mention your insurance would likely not cover any damage caused.
Legal and financial implications aside, a faulty alarm system simply means you’re more at risk of a fire starting and spreading in the first place, putting lives and your property in peril. Many businesses in the UK that suffer from a devastating fire are unable to recover at all, which is your potential worst case scenario. So maintaining your fire alarm system is crucial, as is acting fast if you notice that things aren’t working as they should be.
How Can Midland Fire Help?
When looking for someone to help fix your fire alarm system, it’s always best to choose a professional BAFE-accredited fire safety company – like Midland Fire. Our team of expert engineers specialise in diagnosing and repairing fire alarm systems, providing everything from small fixes to full system replacements to ongoing support.
We offer the following:
- Comprehensive fault diagnosis.
- Repair of panels, wiring and detectors.
- Installation of new or replacement systems if necessary.
- Regular maintenance plans (PPM).
Why Choose Midland Fire?
We’re a BAFE-accredited fire safety contractor, specialising in fire safety and security systems. Our approachable team of certified commercial fire alarm installers has extensive experience working with businesses of all sizes, providing tailored fire alarm system design, installation and maintenance. Take a look at our full range of services here.
25 years of experience
We’ve been protecting people and businesses since 1999.
Expert engineers
Each of our 30 engineers is a time served electrician and a fully qualified fire alarm engineer.
Full support from start to finish
We’ll effectively manage each stage of your project from consultation and design to installation, certification and maintenance.
Quality products
Midland Fire only supplies products from reputable brands that we know will future proof your business.
Fire Alarm System Repair from Midland Fire
Is your fire alarm system not working as it should be? Are sounders beeping unexpectedly or are you getting error codes on your control panel? Don’t worry – our team is here to help. We can assess the situation as soon as possible, carry out repairs and put your mind at ease that everything is functioning correctly.
We can also provide fire risk assessments and offer regular maintenance plans to ensure your business is covered and your fire alarm system is always working at its best.
At Midland Fire WE PROTECT. So whatever you need, contact us today.
Your Burning Questions Answered
How can I tell if my fire alarm is faulty?
Obvious signs of a faulty fire alarm system include intermittent beeping, lack of response to smoke or heat, error codes or regular false alarms. However, sometimes a faulty component can be less obvious, so regular testing and maintenance is key to healthy fire alarms.
How often should I test my fire alarm?
Fire safety equipment should be inspected regularly. To keep your property and staff safe, you should test your fire alarms weekly and carry out a full system inspection at least twice a year as per the BS 5839 standards.
Do I need to hire a professional fire safety company to complete repairs?
Yes, it’s always recommended to hire a BAFE-accredited professional fire safety company. Not only will they advise you on your compliance requirements, you can be confident that they’ve done the job correctly and that your business property is fully protected.
Can Midland Fire repair any fire alarm system?
We are experienced fire alarm engineers, covering conventional, addressable, aspirated and wireless fire alarm systems. We also specialise in fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems, emergency lighting as well as a range of security services.
