The Importance of Regular Commercial Fire Alarm Maintenance

Your fire risk assessment is sorted, your fire alarm systems are installed and your staff are briefed on emergency and evacuation plans. What next? Now you have to make sure that your fire alarm system maintenance is carried out regularly with planned preventative maintenance servicing to keep everything in working order.

Because what’s the use in having a state-of-the-art fire alarm system if it isn’t working properly? Neglecting the upkeep of your fire safety equipment could result in unnecessary damage to your property and it puts your staff at higher risk. Plus, it’s a legal obligation to keep your fire alarm system well maintained, and failure to do so can lead to financial penalties and may invalidate your insurance.

In this article, we’ll explore why fire alarm maintenance is so important, what it involves, and how Midland Fire can make sure your business is both protected and compliant.

What Is Commercial Fire Alarm Maintenance?

Fire alarm system maintenance is all about keeping in line with fire safety regulations to ensure your business is safe and compliant. Scheduled checks and professional servicing gives you peace of mind that your system will operate correctly in the event of an emergency.

Commercial fire alarm maintenance involves the following:

• Routine inspections and servicing of the system by a professional.
• Regular testing of each item of fire safety equipment, which can be done in-house.
• Checking for faults, battery levels, sensor functionality and control panel performance.
• Ensuring devices such as manual call points, detectors and sounders are fully operational.

Legal Fire Safety Requirements for Fire Alarm System Maintenance

In the UK, The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 dictates the laws around fire safety, and fire alarms should be installed and maintained according to the BS 5839 standards. These guidelines state the following:

Fire safety starts with a fire risk assessment.

• All business premises must have an appropriate fire detection system in place to keep their assets and staff safe.
• Employers and responsible persons must ensure fire alarm systems are properly maintained.
• Professional maintenance is required every six months.
• Weekly in-house testing is also recommended.

Why Regular Maintenance is Essential: The Hidden Cost of Neglecting Fire Alarms

As we mentioned before, commercial fire alarm maintenance is crucial for protecting your team and property, as well as avoiding costly legal or insurance issues. Failure to comply with fire safety regulations can also lead to fines and even prosecution, harming your business reputation and leading to closure in the worst case scenario.

The financial cost of neglecting your fire safety systems is also worth mentioning. Firstly, your insurance could become invalid, meaning more costly repairs for you in the event of a fire. And on the day-to-day, equipment that’s functioning correctly means less 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. As they say – prevention is always better than cure.

How Often Should Fire Alarm Systems Be Maintained?

• 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 inspections
  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 inspections
  This is the most crucial element of your regular maintenance plan, and is required by law. Choose a BAFE-accredited professional to carefully inspect your fire alarm system every six months and repair any faults.

What Does Professional Fire Alarm Maintenance Include?

When organising your bi-annual system service, you should always choose a professional contractor with 3rd party BAFE accreditation, like Midland Fire. This way, you can be sure that your fire alarm system is being maintained to the correct BS 5839 guidelines and you are being looked after by highly specialised fire alarm engineers.

Here’s what to expect at your six-month fire alarm system service:

• Full visual and audio inspection of all components.
• Main fire alarm control panel test.
• Battery checks and replacement.
• Check of the system wiring.
• Live test of each alarm, detector and call point.
• Check of manual and automated systems.
• Cleaning of detectors to prevent false alarms.
• Maintenance certificates will be provided to confirm compliance.

Common Issues Detected During Fire Alarm Maintenance

It is common for fire alarm engineers to pick up faults and problems within the system during a maintenance check. Where necessary, these problems will be fixed and faulty parts replaced to ensure full compliance on completion of the service. Typical issues will include:

• Depleted or faulty batteries.
• Dust, debris or even insects inside detectors causing false alarms.
• Corroded or damaged wiring and connections.
• Faulty sirens or manual call points.

Why Choose Midland Fire for Fire Alarm 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 current legislation, we offer a range of maintenance packages tailored to the size of your premises and the systems you have installed. Each package includes a full service by one of our experienced fire alarm engineers, an emergency callout service and a certificate of compliance on completion.

We also offer fire risk assessments and fire alarm installation as well as a range of security services. Our friendly engineers are on hand to advise you and offer expert guidance on how to meet the safety needs of your business.

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.

Do small businesses need a fire alarm system?
The fire safety regulations state that all business premises must have ‘an appropriate fire detection system’ in place. In most cases this means a fire alarm system, but very small premises may be exempt if a verbal warning system is deemed sufficient through a formal fire risk assessment.

Can my fire alarm system be monitored remotely?
Yes, modern commercial fire alarm systems can be remotely monitored to alert emergency services and business owners instantly.