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The Ultimate Fire Alarm Buyers Cheat Sheet

The Ultimate Fire Alarm Buyers Cheat Sheet

Estimated reading time: 26 minutes.

Fire Alarms Overview

What you need to know

As a ‘responsible person’ under fire safety legislation part of your role is to make sure that there are appropriate fire detectors and alarms at your business premises*.

You are a responsible person or Duty Holder if you’re an employer, owner, landlord, occupier or you control business premises or some other types of non-domestic properties. If there’s more than one responsible person at your premises you have to work together to meet your responsibilities.

What happens if you don’t provide appropriate fire detection and alarms

Your local fire service can give you advice and can also issue formal fire safety notices that tell you what you should or must do. In extreme cases they can close or limit access to your premises.

If you fail to meet your obligations, you can be fined or go to prison. You might receive a financial penalty of up to £5,000, but there can be unlimited fines for major failures, and you could face up to two years in prison.

*Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order Section 13.

What you will learn from this guide

Fire detection and alarm installations vary depending on the size of your premises, any activities that might add to the risk of fire and the number of people likely to be present at any one time.

In this guide you will find out more about what’s involved in providing a fire alarm system that will adequately alert everyone in the event of a fire.

To help you understand the type of fire alarm system you will need, there’s information about the four main types, where they should be used and the types of fire alarm grades and categories.

The essential components of a fire alarm system are explained, along with information about control panels and their use.

It’s important to know what to look for when you are choosing someone to design and install your fire alarm system, so we give you an outline of what to look for.

As a responsible person, we summarise good practice requirements for testing, inspection and maintenance. There’s also information to help you make a good choice if you are considering changing your fire alarm system provider.

There’s also additional information about the specific requirements for houses in multiple occupation and to meet the needs of people who are deaf and hard of hearing.

When you have read this guide, you will understand the key principles of providing a suitable and sufficient fire alarm system for your premises.

Index

Fire alarm regulations for commercial buildings

The Fire Alarm regulations BS5839 Part 1 is the relevant British Standard.
National Building Regulations require fire detection and fire alarm systems to be installed to this standard in many new buildings.

Where people need to be protected in the event of a fire, existing premises must also be equipped with appropriate fire detection and fire alarm systems. This includes places of work, such as:

  • shops
  • offices
  • factories
  • warehouses
  • hotels
  • schools
  • hospitals
  • places of assembly including cinemas and theatres
  • churches
  • residential care homes
  • shopping centres.

National fire alarm code

For fire detection and fire alarm systems in and around commercial buildings, the standard covers:

  • planning
  • design
  • installation
  • commissioning
  • maintenance

Unwanted and false fire alarm signals

The Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) has been working with partners to reduce the number of unwanted fire signals (UwFS) generated by automatic fire detection and fire alarm (AFA) systems. The number has been reduced by about one third in recent years.

Guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) promotes improvements across the sector, including the design of fire alarm systems, the consistency of approach from FRSs, better industry awareness leading to improved servicing and maintenance, and greater compliance with fire safety legislation.

Back to index Fire alarm regulations for commercial buildings

Types of fire alarm system

There are four main types of fire alarm system:

1. Conventional

This type of fire alarm system divides your premises into broad zones. When there is an alert, the fire alarm panel will show the zone, but not the precise location. These are most suitable for smaller or lower risk environments.

2. Addressable

Each alarm has its own unique electronic address. If one activates, the fire alarm panel will tell you the location of the problem. These are most suitable for larger or higher risk environments such as schools, care homes, and hospitals.

3. Analogue Addressable

These are sometimes called Intelligent Fire Alarm Systems. In many cases the detectors give only limited information, so it is still necessary to decide whether there is a fire or a fault. However, in some cases each detector can evaluate the environment, and communicates to the control panel whether there is a fire, fault or whether the detector head needs cleaning. This type of system might be suitable in more complex environments.

4. Wireless

Typically these systems work like an addressable system, using a secure wireless link between the sensors and the fire alarm panel. They would be most suitable for premises such as churches or historic buildings where cabling might be inappropriate.

Legislation doesn’t specify which each type of fire alarm system should be used, so you will need to assess what is appropriate for your particular business.

Use a reputable fire safety company to design and install the right fire alarm system to meet UK fire alarm regulations. For example, you can find registered installers on the BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) website.

You must confirm that they design to BS 5839 specifications, or you might not be covered for regulatory or insurance purposes.

Back to index Types of fire alarm system

What are fire alarm system ‘grades’ and ‘categories’?

The ‘grades’ and ‘categories’ define how your fire alarm system should be constructed (grades), and which areas of your building it should cover (categories).

Grades

Running from A to F, A is the highest grade and F is the lowest.

Fire alarm grades

Residential buildings can normally satisfy regulations with a lower grade system (D to F). These are not wired into a central control panel and might not have back-up battery power.

Businesses will generally need a system from A to C to comply with UK fire alarm legislation.

These are wired into a central fire alarm panel, connected to the mains power supply, and will have a back-up power supply.

Categories

There are two main categories:

  • Category P systems – protect property
  • Category L systems – protect life
Category P systems - protect property Category L systems - protect life

The grade and category of fire alarm system you need will depend on the nature of your business and the size and layout of your premises, and should be specified in your Fire Risk Assessment.

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Components of a fire alarm system

Alarm initiation

Manual initiation alarms, also known as fire alarm call points, include alarm buttons and pull stations that you trigger yourself when there is a fire. Automatic initiators include heat detectors, flame detectors, smoke detectors, and CO2 detectors.

Alarm notification

When activated, the initiation device will trigger an alarm notification, normally a sound, to let people in the building know that they need to take action and to notify emergency services. Examples include bells, horns, strobe lights, chimes, and even voice systems.

Alarm control panel

The control panel is used to monitor and manage the initiation devices. It can communicate with all the fire devices linked to it at the same time and will include a status display for the system. It will allow you to control the system manually.

Alarm control panel

Back-up power supply

To keep the fire alarm system working at all times, a backup power supply is needed so that it will still work, even if power supply is lost. This is normally provided by six- or 12-volt batteries stored in the control panel and kept charged until needed.

Your fire alarm system might also include:

Fire door alarms and stoppers

Some doors are for use only in the event of a fire. These might be fitted with a push bar so that that they can be opened from the inside quickly if needed. To prevent unauthorised use of emergency exit doors a fire exit door alarm and stopper can be installed.

Remote controls and display panels

People can control fire alarm systems even when they aren’t nearby. For a large business using a lot of space, these systems allow you check, activate, and deactivate fire alarms throughout the building easily from a central point.

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Control panel requirements

The control panel and indicators allow you to:

  • automatically monitor and control of the power supply to fire detection and fire alarm circuits
  • locate fire signals and fault signals
  • manually test the fire alarm system
  • disable devices
  • trigger fire signals
  • silence fire warnings
  • reset systems after a fire signal.

The contact details of your fire alarm system provider should be prominently displayed at the main control panel.

British Standards require fire alarm circuits to be monitored continuously with both light and sound indicators for faults and fire alarms.

Audible fire alarms should only be silenced manually, after which the control panel should continue to provide audible and visual signals until the system is reset. If an alarm is silenced, this should not prevent the alarm being raised in other zones.

Fault and alarm indicators should be duplicated on the panel, or single light signals should have an audible signal if the lamp fails. Control and indicating panels can also include options for managing other services such as fixed fire extinguishers and closing doors.

The control panel should be in an area of low fire risk, accessible to all building users and on the ground floor by the entrance used by the Fire and Rescue Service. A suitable zone chart for the building should normally be on display next to the control panel.

The control panel might have a mains key-switch to allow it to be switched on or off in accordance with BS 5839-1. This can be used during routine testing and maintenance such as battery tests and main board replacements.

Back to index Fire alarm control panel

Problems with fire alarm systems

Intermittent fire alarm notification such as beeping or chirping from your fire alarm panel can be a nuisance. Some alarm systems use batteries as their main source of power, and most have them as back-up. If the fire alarm battery power level is too low, it can cause the alarm to trigger or the panel to beep. It can also be due to an electrical failure like a loose connection. Dirty detectors can also be a problem, so regular fire alarm monitoring and maintenance is important.

You must notify your fire protection company immediately if:

  • your fire alarm control panel or initiation devices go wrong
  • the alarm is sounding but there’s no fire
  • there’s a light on your fire alarm panel that says there’s a fault
  • your control panel is constantly beeping or has lost power.

Your system can’t be considered to be ‘adequately maintained’ if there is an unresolved fault and you would not be compliant with fire alarm regulations. The maximum response time from your fire alarm company should be 24 hours, and within four hours for major faults where the fire alarm is disabled.

Fire Alarm Easy Fault Finding Guide

Fault Action
A smoke or heat alarm is sounding for no obvious reason A smoke or heat alarm is sounding for no obvious reason Find the alarm with the red light rapidly flashing. Press its ‘Hush’ button to silence. If that does not silence it, clean the alarm using a vacuum. Wait for 10 minutes and the issue should be resolved. If there are cooking fumes or steam this could be the cause of the alarm sounding. If so, it may be incorrectly sited or the wrong sensor type for the area.
Regular or irregular single beep from a smoke or heat alarm Regular single beep from a smoke or heat alarm If the green power light is off check fuses and wiring. The battery power could be low, so slide the alarm off the base and change the battery.
Irregular beep from a smoke or heat alarm Check the wiring and connections and fill in any gaps where cables enter the base so cold air does not enter. Check whether there is anything on the same circuit that could be causing electrical interference, such as a fluorescent light starter or a central heating pump. Clean the alarms.
Wireless alarms are not interconnecting Wireless alarms are not interconnecting Press and hold the test button for 10 seconds. Make sure the alarms have been coded together and that the earth cable is correctly wired. Check that the bases are facing the same direction to maximise signal strength between units.
Wired alarms are not interconnecting Wired alarms are not interconnecting Press and hold the test button for 10 seconds. Check interconnecting cables are wired correctly and that there aren’t any shorts in the wiring.
The Test button is not working The Test button is not working Press and hold the test button for 10 seconds. Make sure the alarm is connected to the base.
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Fire alarm design, commissioning and installation

Systems should be designed, installed and commissioned by third-party certificated suppliers working to British Standards and codes of practice.

BS 5839-1 covers:

  • general design considerations
  • how to limit false alarms
  • installation requirements
  • commissioning and hand-over
  • maintenance and the responsibility of the user.

See an explanatory video here from the Fire Industry Association (FIA).

Who can install fire alarms?

UK fire alarm regulations say that a ‘competent’ person should install fire alarms.

The person or company that installs your fire alarm should:

  • understand the various types of fire alarm system and how they work
  • be familiar with the main makes and model of fire alarm
  • be able to identify which grade and category of fire alarm system you need
  • be able to design a fire alarm system to meet the grade and category requirements
  • have a good understanding of British Standard BS 5839
  • be able to design a system to meet BS 5839 requirements
  • have sound electrical knowledge.
Back to index Smoke detector installation

Management, use and maintenance

Legislation requires the ‘responsible person’ to appoint one or more competent people to assist in preventive and protective measures, including testing, inspection and maintenance of the fire detection and alarm system. The key requirements include:

Supervision

  • appointing a named person to supervise the system and whose details are recorded in the log book.
Download the log book

Monitoring

  • control panel checks every 24 hours to confirm that no faults are indicated
  • keeping the system log book up-to-date and available for inspection. Ideally the log book should include a copy of the design, installation, commissioning and acceptance certificates
  • regular reviews of records, including false and unwanted alarms
  • regular visual inspections to confirm that manual call-points are unobstructed, with a clear space of 500mm around all detectors
  • records and drawings are updated when any changes are made to the system.

Training

  • making sure that everyone using the premises receives instruction including:
    • how to interpret alarms
    • actions they should take, in accordance with your business emergency fire plan
    • measures to avoid false and unwanted alarms.

Maintenance

  • spare parts, including tools and replacements for breakable elements for manual call-points and spare printer cartridges and for the control panel
  • details of the maintenance arrangements, including all signals, causes of false and unwanted alarms, full details of all tests and maintenance, and details of all faults and defects
  • copies of system certificates should be available on site, including:
    • design certificate
    • installation certificate
    • commissioning certificate
    • acceptance certificate
    • verification and modification certificates as appropriate
    • inspection and servicing certificates.
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Fire alarm testing

Routine testing can be carried out in-house by someone who has suitable knowledge and experience. Training should be available from your supplier or installer and short courses are available from fire safety training organisations. Periodic inspection and testing can also be carried out by a specialist service provider.

Look for UKAS-accredited providers. The Loss Prevention Certification Board also sets out Requirements for Certificated Fire Detection and Alarm System Firms (LPS 1014) and BAFE operates SP203-1: Fire Detection, Alarm and Suppression Systems Scheme.

Fire alarm testing

Fire alarm inspection

UK fire alarm regulations say that your fire alarm system must be ‘adequately maintained’. BS 5839 recommends that a fire alarm system should be inspected by a competent person at least every six months. In large premises, a quarterly programme could be needed as there are more components to your fire alarm system where faults could arise.

Why is fire alarm inspection and servicing important?

Servicing your fire alarm regularly will keep it in good working order to alert and protect people using your premises.

False alarms account for a large number of Fire Service call-outs. This is not only expensive, it could also mean that responses to genuine fires are delayed.

The Fire Service can now impose charges for call-outs at premises which have a high number of false alarms, as an incentive for businesses to maintain their fire alarms systems.

The contact details of your fire alarm service provider should be prominently displayed at your main control panel.

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System testing, inspection and maintenance routines

Maintenance Frequency Details
Routine testing by user

To be carried out by a competent person, normally a suitably-trained person.
Weekly
  • Audible alarm test during normal working hours by operation of a different call-point by rotation. The purpose is to test that the panel processes the signal and activates the sounders. The test should be conducted at the same time each week should not exceed one minute.
Monthly
  • Additional tests organised each month for staff that work outside of normal working hours.
Monthly
  • If a generator forms part of the stand-by power supply, it should be started by simulating a power failure and run under load for one hour. Check and top-up fuel, oil and coolant as necessary
  • Conduct a visual inspection of any vented batteries for condition and electrolyte levels
  • Check link to alarm receiving centre and the interface with other systems as necessary.
Inspection and servicing

To be carried out by a competent person with specialist knowledge of fire alarm and detection systems, normally a specialist service organisation.
Quarterly.

At each service visit (at least twice a year or more frequently as indicated by risk assessment)
  • Examine all connections on vented batteries. Check and top-up electrolyte as necessary
  • Log book checked for outstanding actions
  • A visual inspection to confirm that:
    • call-points are unobstructed and conspicuous
    • any new exits are provided with an adjacent call-point
    • no new or relocated partitions within 500mm horizontally of a detector
    • stored items are not closer than 300mm to ceilings, unless detectors are provided in each aisle
    • a clear space of 500mm is maintained below detectors
    • any changes of occupancy that might affect the suitability of the detectors
    • extensions requiring the installation of detection and alarm devices.
  • False alarm records for the last 12 months should be reviewed, and suitable action taken if required
  • Disconnect batteries and run a full alarm load simulation
  • Batteries and their connectors briefly load-tested (other than those in radio-linked system components) to check that they won’t fail before the next test. Confirm that the specific gravity of vented batteries is correct
  • Control and indicating equipment alarm functions to be checked by operation of at least one detector, or call-point on each circuit and full details recorded
  • Operation of fire alarm devices checked
  • Control and indicating equipment controls and visual indicators checked for correct operation
  • Automatic transmission of fire alarm signals to alarm receiving centres tested
  • All ancillary functions of the control and indicating equipment tested
  • All fault indicators and their circuits tested
  • Printers tested to ensure reports are legible
  • Radio systems serviced in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations
  • Any further checks recommended by the manufacturer
  • On completion of work, defects to be reported to the responsible person, documented in the system log book and a service certificate issued.
Over a 12-month period (may be carried out over two or more service visits within the 12-month period)
  • Test the switch mechanism of every call-point by removing the frangible element, using a test key or operating the unit as would be operated in a fire
  • Check all detectors for signs of damage, and functionally test each detector using a product and method approved by the manufacturer
  • Check all fire alarm devices for correct operation
  • Replace all unmonitored, permanently illuminated lamps in the control panel
  • Check the strength of the radio signal for radio-linked systems
  • Visually inspect accessible cable fixings to confirm they are secure and undamaged
  • Confirm that the power supply capacity checked is adequate.
Note: If your system is automatically monitored, some of these recommendations might need to be modified or omitted as long as it can be demonstrated that the automatic test achieves the same objective.

View our fire alarm self-assessment checklist here:

Download the checklist
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Changing fire alarm system provider

If you change your fire alarm service provider, your new servicing organisation should carry out an inspection to confirm your future requirements and to ensure compliance. Issues they might identify could include:

  • inadequate provision of call-points
  • inadequate detector coverage
  • deficiencies in sound pressure levels
  • inadequate stand-by power supplies
  • fire alarm cabling that does not meet the requirements of BS 5839-1
  • inappropriate monitoring of your fire system circuits
  • unsatisfactory standards of electrical safety
  • excessive unwanted and false alarm ratios
  • structural changes that may affect the efficiency of the system
  • poor fire alarm system log book and record-keeping practices.

It’s important to confirm the emergency call-out standards with your new supplier, which might differ from your previous arrangements. As a minimum they should provide 24-hour coverage and a technician should attend within 8 hours of being notified that there is a problem.

If your fire alarm system or remotely monitored systems are inoperative you should tell your insurer that the level of Fire Service response to your premises will be temporarily reduced.

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Fire alarms for residential premises and HMOs

Large houses that have been converted into flats or bedsits as well as modern shared buildings are known as houses in multiple occupancy (HMOs). The term is usually applied when three or more people live at a property, but they don’t form a single household.

Properties like this are covered by BS 5839: Part 6, which also covers the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems:

  • for premises that are designed to accommodate a single family
  • houses in multiple occupation that comprise a number of self-contained units, each designed to accommodate a single family
  • sheltered housing, including living units and common areas.

Newly constructed houses or extensions to existing buildings will also be assessed using this standard.

For one- or two-storey HMOs where the individual floor area is 200sqm of less a Grade D system will be suitable. This will be a mains-powered smoke and heat alarm system with built-in back-up battery power supply, with the alarms interconnected either by wire or wirelessly. A fire alarm panel won’t be needed. The alarms should be installed to meet LD3 requirements, with smoke alarms in all circulation spaces that form part of escape routes, such as hallways and landings.

However, depending on your fire risk assessment this might need to be increased to LD2, with smoke or heat alarms installed in rooms and areas with a higher fire risk such as living rooms, kitchens and possibly bedrooms.

For HMOs of three storeys or higher, there are two options. The first is to install Grade A fire alarm system throughout the building with a conventional or addressable fire alarm panel, and fire alarm detectors, call points, sounders and beacons according to the building layout.

The second option is to have Grade D LD3 systems in individual units and a separate Grade A system in the communal areas. Cover might need to be upgraded, depending on the fire risk assessment.

Existing houses occupied by a single family can install Grade F smoke alarms with removable batteries or sealed, long-life batteries. New 10-year battery powered smoke alarms with built-in radio-interlinks are becoming popular. Some high-end Grade F systems are now being accepted as alternatives to a Grade D system where the building inspector is satisfied that installation of mains-powered alarms would be a problem.

Back to index Fire alarms for residential premises and HMOs

Fire alarms for the deaf

People who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can’t depend on a regular alarm if there’s a fire. Ideally alarms with strobe (flashing) lights that have been tested by an independent laboratory should be provided.

In sleeping areas alarms with strobe lights need to be of a special high intensity that can wake someone who is asleep.

Most major smoke alarm companies offer alarms with strobe lights. Look for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers that meet UL standard 1971 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Pillow- and bed-shakers are also available that can be activated by the sound of a smoke alarm.

As people age, their ability to hear high-pitched sounds decreases. Research from NFPA’s Research Foundation showed that older adults are unlikely to respond to alarms with strobe lights. Anyone who has mild to severe hearing loss can use a device that emits a mixed, low-pitched sound that is activated by the sound of a traditional smoke alarm.

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Summary of the key points in this guide

This guide tells you about the key legislation and guidance and the things you should understand to meet your legal obligations, including

  • the four main types of fire alarm system
  • the purpose and use of the fire alarm control panel
  • common fire alarm problems and faults
  • design and installation considerations
  • good practices for testing, inspection and maintenance of fire alarm systems
  • what you should take into account if you are planning to change your fire alarm system provider
  • requirements for fire alarm systems for houses in multiple occupation
  • the special needs of people who are deaf and hard of hearing.
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Fire alarms - frequently asked questions

How do fire alarms work?

Ionisation and photoelectric smoke detectors are the two most common types of device used to detect fires.

Ionisation smoke alarms have a small amount of radioactive material between two electrically-charged plates. Air between the plates is ionised, allowing an electrical current to flow. Smoke disrupts the flow, reducing the current and activating the alarm. These alarms are very effective for detecting flaming fires.

Photoelectric smoke alarms are more responsive to fires that start with a long period of smouldering. A light source is directed into a sensing chamber, but away from the senor. When smoke enters, the light is redirected onto the sensor, triggering the alarm.

For optimum protection, both types of detector can be used or combination alarms.

Heat Alarms can also be used to detect the increase in temperature from a fire and will not be triggered by smoke. These can be useful in kitchens, but the only cover a small area, so several might be needed in a large kitchen.

Carbon monoxide detectors sound an alarm when a certain level of carbon monoxide is detected in the air over time. Different types of alarms are triggered by different types of sensors. Biomimetic sensors have a gel that changes colour when it absorbs carbon monoxide, and this change triggers the alarm. Silica chips can also be used to detect carbon monoxide because it lowers electrical resistance, triggering an alarm. Electrochemical sensors detect changes in electrical currents when they come into contact with carbon monoxide to trigger the alarm. Once the alarm sounds, the detector must be in a carbon monoxide-free environment to reset itself.

Do I need a fire alarm for my business?

All business premises must have ‘an appropriate fire detection system that can quickly and safely warn the occupants of your building if there is a fire.

You are unlikely to need a fire alarm system if all of these criteria are true:

  • your premises are small, simple, and single-storey or open-plan
  • you don’t store any high-risk substances, such as chemicals
  • you don’t undertake any high-risk activities, such as cooking
  • you don’t have any vulnerable occupants, such as the very young, elderly or disabled
  • a fire would be easily noticed if it broke out anywhere in the premises
  • a shout of ‘fire!’ would be easily heard by all occupants

However, if any of these statements aren’t true for your business premises, you probably need a fire alarm system.

When you complete your Fire Risk Assessment, you should state whether an automatic fire detection system is needed.

What is the fire alarm control panel for?

The fire alarm control panel (FACP) is used to coordinate safe evacuation and emergency response during a fire. Some activate fire suppression or fire sprinkler systems, some transmit a signal used to alert the Fire Service, and others simply sound alarms.

When a fire starts, a smoke detector, heat detector, hand-activated pull switch, or manual call point sends a signal to the panel. Fire sprinkler systems equipped with activation detectors can also send a signal to the panel when water begins to flow.

The fire alarm control panel responds to any of these signals by lighting up or making noise, activating local bells or other signals, and contacting the Fire Service or a private monitoring company.

Some panels can be used to turn alarms off, to lock or unlock doors, turn off electricity and to deactivate equipment. It’s also possible to integrate fire panels into building management and security systems although the fire panel controls must take priority over the other systems.

How many fire alarms should I have?

Install detectors on each level of your business and consider areas that represent a higher fire risk such as commercial kitchens, staff kitchens with appliances, rooms where flammable materials are stored and where there is equipment that could create heat or sparks.

How loud do fire alarms need to be?

An average smoke alarm should sound at 85 decibels from a distance of three metres. Although this will seem much louder at close range. That’s comparable to an aeroplane three miles away. They should also operate at a frequency of around 3,000 Hz, the highest range of a piccolo or violin. There’s more information at www.gov.uk.

How often should fire alarms be tested?

Weekly testing is recommended to meet British Standard BS 5839. Having a fully operational fire alarm system is a requirement for all premises that need them, which is why regular testing is important. The purpose of your fire alarm test is to confirm that your fire alarm is in working order so that you can identify any problems quickly.

You could decide to test less frequently, but you would need to explain why you aren’t following BS 5389 if an investigating fire officer visits you.

Your ‘responsible person’ can carry out your weekly fire alarm test. If you look after a number of properties, you might use a fire alarm company to do this for you. Each weekly test should activate at least one fire alarm call-point and check that the alarm sounds and the control panel receives the signal before resetting the system. A different call-point should be checked each week. If any problems are discovered, you should contact your fire safety company straight away.

Your tests should be recorded in your fire alarm log book, including the location of the call-point(s) you tested.

Do I need a fire alarm certificate?

Once a fire alarm system has been installed, regular maintenance checks must be carried out by a competent specialist. The fire alarm certificate confirms that your inspection has been completed in accordance with BS5839.

You can see a fire alarm inspection certificate example here.

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