How To Test Your Fire Alarms And When To Do It?

Fire alarms are crucial for alerting occupants of a building or residents in a residential area of a fire emergency. The majority of fire alarm systems also transmit a signal to a central monitoring station, which may be on-site or off. Otherwise, alarms send a message to the neighbourhood fire department directly.

It is crucial to examine these early warning systems to make sure your fire alarm system is properly functional. You can find any system flaws through testing, which will also keep you in compliance with fire alarm regulations.

According to British Standard BS 5839-6: 2019 fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings, a fire alarm should be inspected every week. It is a straightforward process, but for maximum fire safety, it must be verified that everything is functioning properly.

Knowing where the alarm panel is and becoming familiar with it is essential if you want to ensure that a fire will be detected in the event that it occurs.

Additionally, a thorough fire alarm system examination that is often carried out by a fire alarm engineering company should be performed every six months.

There are two different kinds of fire alarm systems available for fire detection: manual and automatic. Both versions function according to the same principles as manual or automatic heat or smoke detectors.

A sequence of break glass units positioned at each departure point in a building is an illustration of a manual fire alarm installation. This enables those who are fleeing a fire to sound the alarm.

Depending on the type of fire, an automatic fire alarm can spot fire by keeping an eye on environmental changes including heat, smoke, and carbon dioxide. The alert is automatically triggered by these alterations in the surroundings.

• Follow Manufacturer's Guidelines: Begin by reviewing the manufacturer's instructions for proper fire alarm testing.
• Notify Staff: Inform your staff in advance about the planned fire alarm test.
• Consistent Timing: Conduct the test at a consistent time each week to ensure accuracy.
• ARC Connection Protocol: If the fire alarm is linked to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), remember to contact the ARC and set the system to 'test' mode.
• Manual Call Point Reset: Have a manual call point reset key on hand for resetting the manual call point after activation.
• Document Test Details: Record the test, including the zone and call point that was tested.
• Confirm with ARC: Get in touch with the ARC to verify receipt of the fire signal and to take the system off 'test' mode.
• Activate a Call Point: Trigger a manual call point to initiate the alarm.
• Initiate Alarm: When activated, the alarm will sound.
• Reset Call Point: Use the manual call point reset key to reset the manually activated call point.
• Verify Address and Zone: Check the fire alarm control panel to ensure the activated manual call point's address and zone are correct.
• Alarm Silence: If everything checks out, silence the alarm and reset the fire alarm control panel.
• Weekly Rotation: Test a different call point each week to ensure thorough coverage.

A building's responsible party (such as the property management, fire warden, etc.) is required by law to perform routine maintenance and service on the fire alarm.

This must be done by a competent specialist (who is BAFE SP203-1 approved) and is crucial to ensure the efficiency and longevity of a fire alarm system.

To ensure the effectiveness and durability of a fire alarm system, this must be carried out by a qualified specialist (who is BAFE SP203-1 authorised).

Every maintenance, test, and repair can be noted in the fire alarm logbook. It needs to be kept on the property at all times, ideally next to the fire control panel. And constantly accessible to the FRS for inspection.

The logbook needs to meet the requirements of both BS5839 part one and RRFSO.

It must include:

• Alarm Occurrences: Keep a record of dates and times for both real alarms and practice drills.
• Fault Log: Maintain a log noting dates, times, and types of faults, along with the actions taken to address them.
• Testing Dates: Record the dates when system tests are conducted.
• Service History: Keep track of when servicing of the system is carried out.
• Disconnection Records: Document dates and times when the system was disconnected.
• System Modifications: Make a note of any alterations made to the system, along with the corresponding dates.

The majority of automatic fire alarm signals are false alarms, not true fires. They check for heat, smoke, and environmental changes, but they also take up other substances including steam, cigarette smoke, and aerosol sprays.

False alarms are risky because fire crews should be at legitimate emergencies, they generate staff complacency, and they put the public at undue risk.

• Appropriate Alarm Type: Ensure that the fire alarm chosen is suitable for the specific building.
• Regular Maintenance: Maintain the alarm system regularly and ensure it remains in optimal working condition.
• False Alarm Investigation: Investigate all false alarms and take necessary steps accordingly.
• Implement Filtering Process: Introduce an effective filtering process to investigate the cause of a fire alarm activation before notifying the fire brigade.

• Lack of Reset Key or Code: Avoid the mistake of not having the reset key or code for the fire alarm control panel during manual call point testing.
• Consistent Call Point Testing: Remember to test a different call point each week to ensure thorough coverage.
• Documentation Oversight: Don't forget to record the test details in the fire alarm log book for accurate record-keeping.
• Test Key Removal: Ensure you remove the test key after testing to maintain system integrity.
• Diverse Alarm Activation: Refrain from relying solely on the 'evacuate' button on the main control panel to trigger the alarm.
• Backup Battery Preparedness: Always have backup batteries in place to avoid system failure during power outages.