| Health and safety is hugely important for all | | | | and failure to have such a program in place will |
| businesses and that must include regular fire alarm | | | | result in the local authority withdrawing the |
| testing. | | | | companies fire safety certificate. The reason for |
| All companies and businesses should regularly | | | | this is that if the system is not regularly tested |
| carry out routine tests on their fire alarms but, in | | | | and maintained it may not function correctly in the |
| the UK, The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) | | | | event of a fire - a situation which could of course |
| Order 2005 also requires that fire alarm systems | | | | lead to a tragic outcome. |
| are properly tested and maintained, and the best | | | | Of course, without a fire safety certificate the |
| way to do this is to use the services of an | | | | company would not be able to trade so regular |
| electrical contractor. | | | | fire alarm checks make sense not only from a |
| Why Fire Alarm Systems Should Be Regularly | | | | safety point of view but also from a |
| Tested | | | | manufacturing point of view. |
| Obviously, the main function of a fire alarm | | | | The Testing Process |
| system is to save lives. And, in conjunction with | | | | Unfortunately the testing of a fire alarm system |
| other fire control equipment such as fire doors | | | | will inevitably lead to some disruption within the |
| and fire curtains, a fire alarm system will allow | | | | workplace; particularly when the systems siren or |
| anyone inside the building plenty of time to safely | | | | sounder is tested. Although this can be annoying |
| leave the premises and for the fire brigade to | | | | for staff the actual disruption caused is very |
| arrive and contain the fire. | | | | minimal and working time lost almost zero. |
| However, for an alarm system to function | | | | It is important that the system is thoroughly |
| properly it must be regularly maintained and | | | | tested with all the different parts, starting with |
| tested. Like all things, fire alarm systems will | | | | the main panel, being examined and tested. Other |
| decay and suffer from natural damage such as | | | | parts of the system to be checked will include the |
| becoming dirty. Added to this natural wear and | | | | batteries to ensure they are fully charged and not |
| tear is the fact that batteries will become worn | | | | worn; the smoke and heat detectors to make |
| over time and they must be replaced regularly. | | | | sure they are fully sensitive and the bells or |
| To ensure that the system works as it should | | | | sounders to ensure they are suitably audible in all |
| and is kept in the best condition possible and | | | | parts of the premises. |
| electrical services company can be contracted to | | | | The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 |
| regularly inspect and, if necessary, repair the | | | | It is in everyone's best interests that business |
| system. A full test will be carried out once a year | | | | premises strictly adhere to the health and safety |
| but employers should also have a periodic testing | | | | guidelines laid down in government legislation and |
| program in place were a member of staff | | | | employers can do this by ensuring that their fire |
| routinely sounds the alarm to ensure everything is | | | | alarm systems are regularly tested and |
| working OK. | | | | maintained by a suitable electrical services |
| This periodic testing by an employer is mandatory | | | | company. |