In public buildings where a fire alarm system is installed, it is necessary for there to be a “Responsible Person” to oversee fire alarm testing and the operational capabilities of the system.
It is the duty of the elected Person to ensure that a weekly test of the system is carried out under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (Article 17).
Weekly fire alarm testing is in addition to any routine maintenance undertaken by the fire alarm installation or servicing company that looks after the building’s system.
Sufficient Authority
The Responsible Person either undertakes it themselves or nominates a suitable person to look after the fire alarm system. The person supervising the system must have sufficient authority to instruct fire alarm engineers to undertake any work that is necessary with immediate effect in order to ensure that the system is kept fully operational.
The Responsible Person must keep a fire alarm log book in which they record all events concerning the system. This book should contain the dates and times of all alarms, whether those are tests or genuine alarms, the dates and times of any faults or defects, together with the name of the person to whom they were reported and when and, lastly, what action was taken.
In addition, the Responsible Person must note dates and times of any system tests, dates of any servicing required (whether routine or emergency), any periods of disconnection and any alterations to the system.
Weekly Fire Alarm Testing
In order to carry out weekly fire alarm testing, it is necessary for the Responsible Person to trigger a call point with a small device. In the case of older systems, it may be necessary to unscrew the front of the call point in order to replicate the breaking of the glass.
The Responsible Person must have access to the control panel to turn off the alarm once it has been triggered. If a monitoring company is involved, it is necessary to have access codes to turn off the system so that the fire brigade is not called. It is also necessary to check after the test that the monitoring company received a signal. If they did not, then the line needs to be checked and repaired as necessary.
Prior to carrying out fire alarm testing, it is necessary to isolate any plant or other systems as required. After the test, check that all sounders are operated. Next, ensure that any doors fitted with automatic locking systems release and that any fitted with a “hold open” device released and closed.
Finally, report or instruct the fire alarm engineers to repair any sounders, flashing lights, door release or locking systems that failed to operate correctly.
After the fire alarm testing, do not forget to enter the date and time and any faults into the fire alarm log book.
Fire alarm testing – a job for the professionals
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