Weekly, Monthly Fire Alarm Testing & Checklist

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Fire alarms are a crucial part of fire safety. Their main purpose is to detect a fire at the earliest possible time so that occupants can evacuate safely and take the necessary steps to prevent the fire from spreading and causing damage.

While it is important to install good-quality fire alarm systems, it is equally important to have them maintained and regularly tested.

Fire alarm testing and maintenance are required to ensure your fire alarms remain reliable and in optimal condition. They not only prevent dangerous situations but also help reduce the cost of damages and repairs.

Depending on the type of fire safety equipment you have on your property, you should have it tested on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis.

Read on to find out more about fire alarm testing routines and the maintenance checklist that is to be followed:

FIRE ALARM TESTING AND CHECKLIST

A fire alarm system is made up of various components that include the control panel, sensors, detectors, alerting devices, call points, and a power source – all of which are prone to general wear and tear over time.

The best way to ensure that they continue working as they should is to have them regularly tested and maintained. This includes frequent visual checks along with detailed inspections of the system from the inside out.

A fire alarm maintenance checklist is used as a point of referral when conducting these tests as it helps outline all the components of the fire alarm and how they must be inspected on a weekly or monthly basis.

According to a fire alarm maintenance checklist, the following components must undergo inspection and testing:

Control panels
Devices and detectors
Manual call points
Break-glass call points
Voice alarms
Batteries
Emergency communication equipment

For more information, read our detailed guide on fire alarm maintenance checklists and what they include.

During an inspection, an experienced professional is hired to check the system for any faults or potential issues. It includes:

Checking whether the system complies with the fire safety standards,
Identifying environmental conditions that might affect and compromise the system,
Inspecting the general conditions of the fire alarm panels and testing their operation,
Inspecting and testing all the smoke and heat detectors, sounders, and power sources including primary and backup batteries,
Cleaning all the detectors and sensors of dust, dirt, and any form of obstruction,
Verifying that all signals are received by an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) in case of professional monitoring,
Compiling a report and maintaining a log of all the previous and current inspections.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD A FIRE ALARM BE TESTED?

Fire alarm testing and maintenance is important to make sure the fire alarms and their components can be relied upon to detect a fire in case of one, and to prevent false alarms.

There are three main reasons why you must routinely maintain and test your fire alarms:

To identify any faults and issues and take appropriate action to rectify them.
To ensure there have been no major failures.
To familiarise the occupants with the fire alarm system.

It not only helps detect potential faults before they get a chance to turn into serious issues but also helps you stay compliant with the law.

More than anything else, fire alarm systems help save lives, and for them to remain efficient and reliable, they must be properly maintained and serviced.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 outlines the basic guidelines regarding the duty of property owners to enforce fire safety in non-domestic properties.

It is a legal requirement to ensure that your property is appropriately equipped with fire detectors and alarms. As the responsible person, you need to make sure that they are regularly maintained and tested as well.

While the control panel must be checked for faults at least once every 24 hours, there are several types of checks that are done on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. Some are carried out by the users themselves while some require professional expertise.

FIRE ALARM TESTING ROUTINE

Fire alarms and other fire safety equipment follow a testing routine based on their use and the level of risk on the property.

Fire safety equipment that requires regular checks includes:

Fire alarms
Emergency lighting
Fire extinguishers
Fire doors
Fire escapes
Carbon monoxide detectors
Sprinkler systems
Dry and wet risers

It is also extremely important to document all the tests and inspections that have been conducted to serve as evidence for legal compliance in the form of a fire log book and fire alarm maintenance reports.

These include all the findings of the tests and inspections, including any faults identified, the repairs required, and when the issue is resolved.

Two types of tests must be carried out: tests carried out by the users of the system which fall under the responsibility of the responsible person(s), and tests and inspections carried out by a competent person, who is usually a trained engineer.

WEEKLY FIRE ALARM TESTING

Weekly tests aim to ensure that all the devices and components of the fire alarm system are working effectively, that there is no issue with the signals being received by the control panel, and every person in the building can hear the alarm.

Manual call points

One manual call point (MCP) and one smoke detector is tested every week on a rotating basis until all the MCPs and detectors have been tested.

There is no time limit for the devices to be tested, and if a building has 70 MCPs, it can take up to 70 weeks to test all the devices.

The aim is to check that all the equipment attached to the alarm is working properly, such as the sounders and smoke vents.

The best practice is to conduct the tests on the same day every week so that the occupants of the building may familiarise themselves with them and can differentiate between a test and an actual alarm.

Fire extinguishers and suppressant equipment

In addition to having fire detection systems, it is also important to have fire suppressant equipment such as fire extinguishers and sprinklers so that the fire can be put out immediately.

During weekly checks, you need to make sure that all the fire extinguishers are visible and in place without any obstructions.

Fire hydrants placed outside must be checked for ease of access and anything blocking their path, such as vehicles, must be removed immediately.

Sprinkler systems must also be checked to ensure the points aren’t blocked and that there is a sufficient water supply. All these findings must be recorded in the fire log book.

Escape routes

All the fire exits and escape routes must be checked to see that they open easily and are accessible. Any emergency fastening devices, such as the push bars, should be working correctly and the fire safety signage must all be in place.

Make sure to check any automatic doors integrated with the automatic fire detection system and that all the lifts return to the ground floor.

MONTHLY FIRE ALARM TESTING

While the MCPs and smoke detectors are checked every week, it is recommended to check the backup power systems such as the batteries and generators every month to ensure an uninterrupted power supply.

The tests include checking the fluid and coolant levels, the results for which are again recorded in the system logbook to review and take necessary action.

Emergency lighting

Emergency lights are battery-operated or independently-powered light sources designed to automatically turn on in the event of a power outage, such as during a fire.

The use of emergency lighting is an important part of fire safety, which is why it is important to check them on a monthly basis to make sure they can be relied upon in low-light conditions and emergencies.

As part of the monthly fire safety test, do a flick test by turning on the lights to see if they work, and like the rest of the findings, make sure to keep a record, including any faults you may find.

Fire extinguishers

Fire extinguishers come in different types and their water, dry powder, and foam must be discharged and refilled every 5 years and replaced every 20 years. In the case of carbon dioxide extinguishers, they must be replaced every 10 years.

When it comes to monthly testing, fire extinguishers must be fully checked, including their location and accessibility, in addition to any damages. Their pressure gauges must also be checked properly and they should be charged.

Batteries

Fire alarm systems either work solely on batteries or use them as a backup power source. In any case, it is very important to make sure that the fire alarm system always has power and can work without fail.

As part of the monthly testing, always check both the primary power supply as well as the backup batteries. Inspect the batteries for any corrosion or leakage and replace them if need be.

Carbon monoxide detectors

A carbon monoxide detector is a device used to detect the presence of carbon monoxide – a colourless, odourless, and poisonous gas – in the air.

It is a by-product of burning carbon fuel and even a small amount can cause serious health issues and even death.

Therefore, it is mandatory to test these detectors by pushing the “test” button and recording any findings in the fire log book, along with the date the batteries were last changed.

BI-ANNUAL AND ANNUAL FIRE ALARM TESTING

According to legal requirements, a commercial fire alarm system must be subject to periodic testing and inspections so that faults can be identified and preventive measures can be taken to ensure continued reliability on the system.

BS 5839 states that all the detectors, call points, panels, and circuits must be tested every six months by a competent person with specialist knowledge of fire alarm systems and smoke detectors.

The duration may vary as outlined during a fire risk assessment and is dependent on the size and complexity of the system. For large and high-risk properties, it might be best to have the system serviced every four months instead of six.

Also, if you feel like your system is showing signs of damage or deterioration, it is advised to have a professional look at the issue ASAP and fix them before they affect the efficiency of the system.

During professional testing and maintenance, a trained engineer follows a fire alarm maintenance checklist and inspects the logbook for all reported incidents, carries out a visual inspection of the building and the system for any obvious signs of damage and deterioration, and conducts a thorough inspection of all the devices and components.

Fire drills, with a full or partial evacuation, must take place bi-annually. Some properties, such as schools, are required to have fire drills more often.

A longer, 3-hour emergency light test is conducted yearly, during which the mains electricity is switched off and the emergency lights are left on for 3 hours. If a 3-hour test is too long and may disrupt your business’s operations, as an alternative, you may carry out 1-hour long tests twice a year.

WHO CAN CONDUCT FIRE ALARM TESTING?

According to UK fire alarm regulations, someone competent and reliable must be chosen to install and service your fire alarm. They require that the competent person(s) must:

Understand the various types of fire alarm systems and be familiar with all the different models,
Be able to identify the grades and categories of fire alarm systems, and
Have a good knowledge and understanding of the British Standard BS 5839.

As discussed above, in addition to having a professional inspect your system, it is equally important for you, as the responsible person, to conduct your own checks and tests to ensure all the components are working as they should.

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

At Calder Security, we offer you a comprehensive solution for all your fire safety needs that include professional installation, maintenance, monitoring, and repair.

We understand that every property is different and the specification of the system depends on several factors including the type and size of the building, the number of occupants, and how high risk it is.

We can help you cut through all that and advise you on the best fire detection system for your building 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.

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