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A fire alarm system is imperative to your commercial property’s safety, no matter the size of your business. In the unfortunate event of a fire erupting on your premises, a fire alarm system will immediately sense the danger and alert you of the risk. Some systems may even trigger a fire-suppressant system and contact fire and rescue services to prevent the fire from spreading.
This automated system acts as the first line of defence against fires, minimises risk, and allows both property and human life to be safe from danger. However, to fully benefit from commercial fire alarm systems, they need to be fully functional and reliable, and that is where testing and maintenance come in.
Regular fire alarm testing is an important measure for maintaining the integrity of the fire alarm system and is a regulatory requirement to ensure safety in commercial properties including offices, schools, universities, hospitals, hotels, supermarkets, shopping centres, banks, retail stores, restaurants, and warehouses.
Read on to find out more about commercial fire alarm maintenance, how often commercial fire alarms should be tested, the importance of regular testing and maintenance, and more:
COMMERCIAL FIRE ALARMS
A commercial fire alarm is a fire detection system used specifically in commercial properties. It is made up of a few key elements which include a control panel, sensors and detectors, manual glass-break call points, audible and visual alarms, primary and backup power supplies, network controllers, and a graphical monitoring system.
Each component of the fire alarm system plays a key role in its coordinated operation, with each component connected to and reporting to the central hub of the system, aka the control panel. The various sensors detect the presence of smoke, heat, or carbon monoxide gas, and alert the control panel which then initiates the notification sequence by triggering the alarm and fire suppressant system, if one is installed.
Manual call points are also installed in key locations around the property and are activated by people present on the premises on noticing the signs of a fire. The manual call points alert the control panel in the same way as automated sensors, which is followed by the same notification sequence. Both audible and visual alarms may be used to alert people of the danger and to get them to evacuate safely and on time.
Both manual fire systems and automatic fire detection systems require regular testing to ensure that they are working properly to provide a safe working environment.
COMMERCIAL FIRE ALARM REGULATIONS
In the UK, you are responsible for fire safety in commercial properties if you are the owner, employer, landlord, occupier, or anyone in control of the premises such as the facilitation or building manager.
As the ‘responsible person’, you must carry out a fire risk assessment, inform the occupants of the building about any risks identified, put in place and maintain appropriate fire safety measures, plan for an emergency, and provide fire safety instructions and training to staff and employees.
Fire regulations in the UK are very strict and require businesses and commercial properties to take appropriate action to prevent fires from occurring and minimising damages and injuries caused in case of a fire erupting. These regulations include:
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) – emphasises the importance of conducting fire risk assessments and implementing appropriate fire safety measures for all non-domestic properties, including commercial businesses.
- BS 5839-1 – provides guidelines on the planning, installation, and maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems, specifically for commercial properties.
- BS EN 54 – specifies the requirements and testing procedures for fire alarm systems and their components.
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 – places responsibility on employers to provide a safe working environment for their employees, which includes protecting them from the risk of fires.
- Local Building Regulations – specify requirements for fire safety and the need for having adequate fire detection systems to ensure that buildings are constructed with the right fire safety measures.
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMERCIAL FIRE ALARM TESTING
A commercial fire alarm system is only as reliable as its upkeep. Every commercial property must have a properly installed and well-maintained fire alarm system for protection against fire and related damages. Regardless of how small or big your commercial property is, it is always recommended to have a compliant fire alarm system in place.
Here are all the reasons why having a properly tested and serviced fire alarm system is so important for your commercial property:
Proper Functionality
One of the main benefits of a fire alarm system is its ability to detect dangers at the earliest. This can have a huge impact on the effect of fires and help avoid and minimise property damage as well as the threat to human wellbeing. Regular testing and maintenance make sure all the components including the detectors, alarms, control panel, and power supplies are working as they should, and any faults and issues can be rectified immediately.
Enhanced Safety and Protection
A reliable fire alarm system is a key element in enhancing the safety of commercial properties and all its occupants. Through early detection and alerts in case of a fire, these systems allow for a proper evacuation procedure and minimise the risk of damage to property as well as injury or loss of life.
Cost Savings
A fire can wreak havoc on a business, with serious blazes having the potential to destroy an establishment and force it to shut down. Damage to business assets, equipment, and property can all lead to huge added costs, on top of downtime for the business which may further escalate losses. An up-to-date and reliable fire alarm system can prevent a small fire from turning into a full-scale inferno and potentially save the business thousands of pounds in damages.
Reduced False Alarms
According to the latest Fire and Rescue Incident Statistics, FRSs attended 254,041 fire false alarms in the year ending September 2024, which is a 2.9% increase compared to last year. Most of the time this is caused by malfunctioning and damaged fire alarm systems and leads to unnecessary callouts to the fire services that not only wastes their time and resources but costs the economy money. To minimise the occurrence of false fire alarms, it is important to conduct regular testing and maintenance so that the system can be free of any potential faults.
Compliance With Insurance Requirements
Many insurance companies require property owners to have adequate safety measures to minimise the risk of damage. This includes having a properly tested and maintained fire alarm system that helps keep fires and related damages in control. Most insurance providers ask for proof of an up-to-date fire alarm system for coverage purposes and may even offer discounts on premiums. Non-compliance may invalidate your insurance, exposing you and your business to financial risk.
Compliance With Legal and Regulatory Requirements
A well-maintained and up-to-date commercial fire alarm system is a legal requirement that all businesses must comply with. By conducting regular testing and inspections, commercial property owners can avoid potential fines and legal action due to non-compliance. In addition to ensuring the safety of the property’s assets and people, a reliable fire alarm system can also protect business owners from facing penalties in case of damages, injuries, or loss of life caused by their negligence.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD COMMERCIAL FIRE ALARMS BE TESTED?
According to the British Standard BS 5839, all commercial fire alarms must be tested on a weekly basis to verify that they are in top-notch condition and can be relied on to detect the earliest signs of a fire. In addition to weekly testing, full testing and servicing of the fire alarms must be carried out by a competent person every six months.
Weekly and bi-yearly testing ensures that the fire alarms and all their components are in good working order and are crucial for maintaining fire alarm safety and reliability. The frequency of fire alarm testing can also depend on the size of your premises and the type of fire alarm system you have installed.
Routine self-testing is crucial for keeping the fire alarm system working on a daily basis and must be supplemented with professional maintenance to provide the most comprehensive protection for both the people and assets on the commercial property.
Commercial fire alarm testing includes self-testing as well as professional maintenance. The routine weekly tests can be performed by the responsible person(s) without any professional assistance and are basic tests that check things such as the condition of the alarms and sounders. These tests, however, do not check for more in-depth issues that may compromise the functionality of the system.
Professional fire alarm maintenance is carried out by a competent person who fully understands the fire alarm systems and their technicalities. These persons are usually certified electricians or engineers who use specialised tools to conduct a more in-depth test of all the electrical components, check for any wear and tear, and ensure that the system complies with all the current safety standards. These tests are conducted every 6 months to a year and provide complete assurance that the system will work without fail during emergencies.
For example, a weekly test is carried out to confirm that the alarm sounders are working properly, and a professional inspection can confirm that all the internal wiring and battery systems are functioning correctly.
Weekly Testing
Weekly fire alarm testing must be carried out at different times each week in order to identify any system faults or other important issues. It should be conducted by the responsible person with all the findings documented in a logbook for record keeping and legal purposes.
Other than checking the condition of the fire alarm systems, weekly tests are also important for making sure the occupants of the building know what the fire alarm sounds like and understand the difference between a routine test and an actual emergency.
If your commercial property has manual call points, the fire alarms must be tested using a different call point every week on a rotating basis to ensure complete system coverage. These checks must be conducted during regular working hours and are completed in under a minute to differentiate between a routine test and a real alert.
Bi-Annual/Annual Testing
Bi-annual/annual fire alarm testing is a more in-depth procedure that is conducted by a certified individual with the required training and expertise. These individuals are usually external specialists from a security company hired by businesses to conduct these vital tests and inspections. They have all the necessary tools and equipment to successfully conduct thorough fire alarm testing and are up to speed with all the latest safety laws and regulations.
Bi-annual/annual fire alarm tests are generally part of the fire risk assessment, which is an important safety procedure to identify safety threats and implement the best-suited safety measures to minimise threats. All the fire alarm components are thoroughly inspected from the inside out to identify any potential faults and issues, which are then immediately rectified.
Additional Testing
Weekly and annual fire alarm tests are generally considered a good frequency to make sure the fire alarm system is working as it should. Certain factors do play a role in how often these tests should be conducted, such as the type and size of the property, the nature of work being carried out, the size of the fire alarm system, and certain environmental factors. Depending on these, you may need to have your commercial fire alarm tested even more frequently.
Other factors that require additional testing include renovations and any structural changes that the building undergoes. In this case, it is essential to test the system afterward to ensure the fire alarms aren’t affected and safety isn’t compromised. If the commercial property gets hit by a natural disaster such as an earthquake, flood, or hurricane, it is recommended to get the fire alarm system tested, as well as any other safety and security systems on the property, to ensure they aren’t affected or damaged by the disaster.
Conclusion
Fire alarm testing is a critical aspect of commercial safety and is mandatory to minimise the threat of fires. Both self-testing as well as professional inspections ensure that the fire alarm system and all its components are working properly and can function as intended in case of an emergency.
It is not just a safety measure but also a legal requirement to have an up-to-date and regularly tested fire alarm system on your commercial property. Failure to do so can result in fines and legal action, especially if the faulty system causes delays in emergency response during a fire.
CONTACT CALDER SECURITY
At Calder Security, we offer you a comprehensive solution for your commercial fire safety needs that includes professional installation, maintenance, monitoring, and repair.
We understand that every commercial property is different, and the specification of the system depends on several factors including the type and size of the building, the nature of the business, and the number of employees and staff.
We can help you cut through all that and advise you on the best fire detection system for your property that complies with British Standards, HSE, Building Regulations, and Fire Officer Guidelines, in addition to meeting the requirements of business insurance.
We also understand fire regulations and provide professional maintenance checks and reminders for when the checks are due to help you stay compliant with the law. We work fast to restore your fire alarm system to excellent condition and always strive to meet your expectations.
We offer various levels of monitoring via a 24-hour monitoring centre using Dualcom and BT Redcare signalling, which is the most secure alarm monitoring system and the largest supplier of intelligent alarm signalling services in the UK.
If your system starts to malfunction, you can rely on our highly skilled engineers to restore your system to full working order in one visit. We offer a 24-hour call-out service for customers and can also repair fire alarms not installed by us thanks to our extensive knowledge and experience.
Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 9799 to talk to our experts for more information on commercial fire alarm systems and how often they should be tested.