What Are the Legal Requirements for Fire Alarm Maintenance?
Do you have fire alarms at your business premises and need to know how to look after them? That’s our speciality. In this article, we’ll explain how often you need to service your commercial fire alarm system and we’ll dive into the UK regulations around maintenance.
Because when it comes to fire safety, installing your fire alarm system is only the first step. It’s extremely important to give your system the love and care it deserves long after you’ve had it fitted, making sure you test it periodically and keep on top of regular servicing. This will keep your business compliant and also make sure that your staff and property are properly protected.
But the rules around fire alarm maintenance can get tricky. So, once you’re done reading this article, we’d always recommend contacting an experienced fire safety contractor like Midland Fire. We’ll give you advice that’s bespoke to your business and can tell you exactly what you need to do to keep your commercial premises fully compliant.
Now, let’s get into it.
UK Legal Requirements for Fire Alarm Maintenance
In the UK, The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 dictates the laws around fire safety, and states that fire alarms should be installed and maintained according to the BS 5839-1 standard. These guidelines state the following:
- Fire safety starts with a fire risk assessment, which should always be kept up to date.
- All business premises must have an appropriate fire detection system in place to keep their assets and staff safe.
- It’s the duty of the “responsible person” to ensure fire alarm systems are properly maintained.
- A full professional service of your fire alarm system is required every six months.
- Weekly in-house testing is also highly recommended.
Maintenance certificates should be kept to confirm compliance as well as an accurate, audit-ready fire safety logbook including details of all services, user tests and remedial works.
Fire Alarm Maintenance Requirements After Installation
As mentioned above, scheduled tests and professional servicing gives you peace of mind that your system will operate correctly in the event of an emergency. The early discovery of faults or deteriorating components can help you avoid more costly call outs later and lower the risk of false alarms or real fire damage.
For your fire alarm system, the following checks are required:
Weekly in-house testing
Each week, a responsible person within your business should inspect each of your fire alarm components for signs of damage, test that batteries are working and check that your system is ready for action.
Monthly visual inspection
A more in-depth monthly check is also advised, in which components are cleaned of dust and debris, signage is inspected and control panels are checked for warning lights or error messages.
Bi-annual professional service
This is the most crucial element of your regular maintenance plan, and is required by law. Choose a BAFE-accredited professional to carefully inspect and test your fire alarm system every six months and repair any faults.
Who Can Service a Commercial Fire Alarm System?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states that your fire alarms should be installed and maintained by a ‘competent person’ meaning anyone with the correct knowledge, skills and training. Proof of this competency can be found in third-party BAFE accreditation, which confirms that your engineer or contractor has the relevant qualifications and fully understands the recognised fire safety standards.
There is often some confusion around whether or not a general electrician can carry out a fire alarm system service, and the short answer is yes, they can – as long as they’ve upskilled to meet the requirements we’ve just talked about. Basically, you just need to find someone who’s highly specialised in fire safety (like our team at Midland Fire), and who can ideally offer Planned Preventative Maintenance plans to make sure you have a fixed schedule in place to keep your business compliant.
The Risks of Poor Fire Alarm Maintenance
If you don’t keep up with a regular fire alarm maintenance schedule or your servicing isn’t done properly, your business won’t be compliant with fire safety regulations. This can lead to fines and even prosecution, harming your business reputation and leading to closure in the worst case scenario, not to mention you’re taking risks for your staff and property.
The financial cost of neglecting your fire safety systems is also worth mentioning. Firstly, your insurance could become invalid which can result in fines or worse. Also, neglect of a fire alarm system invariably leads to more costly repairs for you in the event of a fire. And on the day-to-day, equipment that’s not functioning correctly means more false alarms and the resulting downtime. Planned preventative maintenance generally means you can budget more efficiently and it helps extend the lifespan of your fire safety equipment too.
Why Choose Midland Fire for Your Fire Alarm System Maintenance?
Midland Fire is a BAFE-accredited fire safety contractor specialising in fire alarm system installation and maintenance. We work with businesses of all sizes, across a range of industries, so whatever your company, get in touch.
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.
Expert Fire Alarm Maintenance and Servicing from Midland Fire
To help you comply with UK regulations, we offer a range of maintenance packages tailored to your business and the systems you have installed. Our team can also offer expert advice on your legal requirements and help you make sure that you’re keeping your staff and property fully protected.
We offer fire risk assessments and fire alarm installation as well as a range of security services too.
At Midland Fire WE PROTECT. Contact us today for your free consultation.
Your Burning Questions Answered
What are the legal fire alarm maintenance requirements for UK businesses?
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.
What if my fire alarm system fails an inspection?
Any faults must be repaired immediately to ensure the system is fully compliant and functional. This can normally be done as part of your maintenance check.
Who can service my fire alarm system?
To ensure you’re getting the best service and the most reliable fire safety solutions, you should choose a contractor specialising in fire safety whose staff are qualified fire alarm engineers with plenty of experience. The company should also be BAFE accredited. At Midland Fire, we tick all those boxes.
How should test records be kept?
To make sure you’re staying compliant, it’s really important that you keep accurate records of all your tests and system inspections as you go. It’s recommended that you use an onsite logbook or a secure digital system to note the date, time, devices tested and the outcomes of the testing.
