Fire alarm systems play a huge role in fire safety as they alert individuals in the event of a fire, but simply having them installed in a building is not enough. Regular fire alarm testing and maintenance are essential to ensure your systems are functioning properly when you need them the most.

In this blog, we share seven key benefits of consistent fire alarm testing and maintenance, allowing you to discover why keeping your system in optimal condition is essential for the well-being of your building and everyone inside.

What is the importance of fire alarm testing and maintenance?

Regular maintenance and testing of your fire alarm is a key element of any fire safety plan as it helps you keep a detailed record of how well your system works. The ‘responsible person’ of the building, usually the building owner or the employer, must make sure the fire alarm system is tested and maintained often.

With regular maintenance of fire alarms, you can have peace of mind that your system is functioning properly and will alert people promptly in case of a fire emergency. It also helps to highlight any issues, allowing you to fix them quickly.

It’s also important to conduct regular maintenance to ensure you’re adhering to your responsibilities as set by The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation states that the ‘responsible person’ must regularly test and check all fire safety equipment installed in their building. As well as this, it showcases your adherence to British Standards, in particular BS 5839, as these standards set the code of practice on the design, installation, and maintenance of fire alarms.

Ultimately, everyone inside your building relies on the reliability of your system and performing regular fire alarm testing and maintenance is key to ensuring continued fire safety in your building and protection against potential fire hazards.

7 benefits of professional fire alarm testing and maintenance

Entrusting fire alarm testing and maintenance to a professional fire safety company, like TVF Fire Protection, is a smart choice not only for fire safety but also legal compliance. There are also a whole host of benefits to maintaining your fire alarm system as we highlight below.

Extends the life of your current fire alarm system

Regularly testing and maintaining your fire alarm actually extends the life of your current system. This is because regularly checking it allows you to spot any problems or issues, prompting you to fix them quickly. This reduces the need to buy a brand new system sooner than expected.

Taking care of your fire alarm system usually involves cleaning detectors and removing dirt, dust, and grease for example. All of this, enhances your systems performance when it comes to detecting fires, as well as prolonging its lifespan.

Prevents false alarms and system failures

False alarms can make you lose trust in your fire alarm system. However, when you have a qualified technician perform professional maintenance, they have the adequate expertise to detect what causes false alarms. Using their knowledge, they can help fix issues and reduce the likelihood of false alarms occurring.

As well as this, they can ensure all components of your fire alarm system including smoke detectors and heat sensors are in good working order, reducing the chances of system malfunctions or failure. This gives you peace of mind that your fire alarm will work when you need it the most.

Ensures a speedy response

In the event of a fire, time is precious and a good fire alarm system is what detects a fire quickly and automatically. Regular fire alarm testing is key to ensuring your system is in good working order and ensures a speedy response in the event of an emergency. With a well-maintained system, you can depend on it to raise the alarm and provide building occupants with valuable time to evacuate safely.

Helps to save lives

One of the main goals of installing a fire alarm system is to protect lives. As we’ve mentioned in our previous benefit, a properly functioning fire alarm system will detect a fire quickly, which then raises the alarm to all building occupants that a fire is in progress. This early warning prompts individuals to begin evacuating the premises, allowing for a higher survival rate.

Protects your property

The financial and emotional impact of fire damage to your property can be immense. A good fire alarm system that is maintained well, is your first line of defence against this kind of damage as it helps you to take appropriate action (if properly trained) to minimise the spread of the fire and the potential damage it could cause.

Regular fire alarm maintenance ensures your fire safety equipment remains effective, continuing to provide you with early warning that a fire has broken out. It also helps you avoid costly building repairs and reduces wider fire damage and interruptions to your business.

Adheres to insurance requirements

Most commercial insurance policies require proof that you have a working fire alarm in your building and it is regularly maintained. If you show that you meet these standards, insurance companies see that you are serious about fire safety in your premises, which can potentially lead to lower premiums.

Getting a certification from a competent person through regular fire alarm testing and maintenance shows that not only are you adhering to your insurance requirements but also your responsibilities set by fire safety legislation. These records show that you have taken steps to minimise fire risks, which will work in your favour with your insurance provider, resulting in potentially better rates.

Provides peace of mind

Possibly the biggest benefit of conducting regular fire alarm testing and maintenance is that it provides you and your building occupants peace of mind. This is because you can continue with your day-to-day activities knowing your fire alarm system is ready to safeguard your property and the people inside in the event of an emergency.

When you invest in professional fire alarm maintenance, you create a culture of safety in your building. This instals trust in your building occupants that their safety is important to you and shows that you are doing everything possible to keep everyone safe in the event of a fire.

How often should you test fire alarms?

As recommended by fire safety regulations, fire alarms should be inspected at least every six months, with weekly fire alarm tests also recommended. The ‘responsible person’ can conduct a weekly fire test, but more extensive system inspections should be conducted by a professional fire safety company, like TVF Fire Protection.

Here’s a general guideline on how often you should be testing your fire alarm:

• Weekly fire alarm tests – these should be completed at least once a week by the ‘responsible person’ of your building.
• Test of different call points – this should be conducted on a rotational basis by the ‘responsible person’.
• Manual call point test – a more extensive test that should be carried out by a competent person every six months.
• Full system test – this should be conducted every six months by a competent person.

With every test that you complete, you should keep a record of the date and time you conduct it, the outcomes of the test, and fix any issues that arise as soon as possible.

Let us maintain your fire alarm system

It’s clear to see that regular fire alarm testing and maintenance is crucial for keeping your property and the people in it safe. As well as that, it ensures you’re adhering to your responsibilities as per fire safety legislation and your insurance requirements.

Here at TVF Fire Protection, we’re an LPS 1014 certified fire detection and alarm system company, which gives you peace of mind in our ability to design, install, and maintain your fire alarm system. We serve businesses across Wycombe, Watford, Slough, and beyond so if you’d like to learn more about how we can help maintain your fire alarm system, get in touch with us today.

Fire alarm testing and maintenance FAQs

Who is qualified to perform fire alarm maintenance?

A ‘competent person’ is someone who has the right knowledge, skills, and experience in fire detection and alarm systems. These highly trained professionals can identify and solve problems with your systems, ensuring your fire alarm works well when it should and meets the right standards.

What are some common issues that can arise from neglected fire alarms?

By not conducting regular maintenance of your fire alarms, it can cause several problems. These may include system failures, false alarms, and reduced performance, all of which can cause more damage to your property and risk fire safety in your building.

What are some best practices for conducting fire alarm tests?

There are several best practices when it comes to testing your fire alarm. For example, you should test your fire alarm every week to ensure optimal efficiency. You should also keep a record of the date and time of the test, and any notes about any issues or faults and how they will be fixed.