Inspection & Testing of Fire Alarm Systems

Why carry out maintenance?

Ensuring fire detection and alarm systems are up to date and adequately maintained is an integral part of companies' commitment to the health and safety of their employees. It is also a legal requirement under The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997, which states that fire safety equipment "shall be subject to a suitable system of maintenance and be maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair."

The only reliable and measurable means of ensuring an alarm system remains fully functional is to implement a plan of regular routine maintenance and testing carried out by a ‘competent’ person and based on a risk assessment. A proper routine of maintenance will ensure your legal compliance and safety and reduce the number of false alarms, minimising disruption to your business. Gmaint Limited has over fifteen years of experience of maintaining fire alarm systems for numerous commercial and industrial clients.

Gmaint's Maintenance Policy

A suitably qualified engineer will carry out full inspection and testing of fire alarm systems in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and BS5839-1:2008. Our initial survey will determine the frequency of inspection and testing required, checking for any changes to the use or structure of the building since the alarm system was installed. Prior to commencing maintenance, our risk assessment and technical audit will formalise your visits in a detailed maintenance plan specific to your site.

Typically, maintenance consists of one major visit a year along with periodic, interim visits. On a major visit, Gmaint carries out the following :

Control Panels and Repeaters

Isolate bell circuits and auxiliary outputs before testing. A double pole, lockable isolator should be supplied to the panel for safety during maintenance (25.2). The isolator should be clearly marked, according to 25.2(f). Carry out general inspection of panel, press test button and test all LEDs, and check all wiring. Clean accumulated dirt. Carry out test by activating manual break glass or detector in each zone and test panels activate on correct zone in fire condition. Test wiring for correct EOL valve and ensure panel zone fault LEDs activate. Remove sounder circuits one at a time and test for EOL and fault conditions. Reinstate. Activate a zone and ensure all bell circuits outputs and relays switch and any auxiliary circuits operate. Test batteries, charger, LED displays and printer functions during test. Normalise bell circuits and carry out active bell test. Ensure all manual panels are fitted with secondary power supply and all fire alarm panels have evacuation facility and zonal indication or mimic panel adjacent. Complete all necessary commissioning forms and logbook.

Smoke Detectors

Each unit should be examined to ensure it has been correctly installed in the right location and is securely fixed,in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines, BS5839-1:2008, 22.3 and the 16th Edition IEE Regulations. Check wiring, tightness of connections and end offline and/or series resistor if fitted. Ensure detector correctly fitted and installed in its base. Activate the unit with artificial smoke or magnet (furionisation) and check that the panel goes into fire condition on the correct zone and resets correctly. If detector retriggers system or is badly soiled, strip down and clean internally. Complete all necessary commissioning Forms and Logbook.

Heat Detectors

Inspect each unit for correct installation and location. Check wiring, tightness of connections and end off line or online resistor if fitted. Clean accumulated dirt and carry out testing by activating the unit with a heat source. Check panel goes into fire condition on correct zone. Using pole tester, ensure bi-metallic switch reactivates on cooling and system can be reset. Complete all necessary commissioning forms and logbook.

Manual Break Glass Unit

Ensure system decommissioned before commencing testing. Inspect each unit for correct installation and location and free from obstruction. Check polarity of wiring and cables and any resistors are secure. Carry out general inspection of unit, micro switch, glass and securing screw. Clean accumulated dirt and test by using test key, ensuring glass tilts backwards, micro switch operates and panel is put into fire condition. Complete all necessary commissioning forms and logbook. Ensure system is reinstated on conclusion of testing.

Beacons and Strobes

Inspect each unit for correct installation and location. Check polarity of wiring and integrity of cables. If polarised, check diode. Clean of accumulated dirt. Test by activating local break glass unit and check strobe operating correctly in range of 30 - 130 flashes per minute. Complete all necessary commissioning forms and logbook.

Bell and Sounder Signals

Inspect units for correct installation and location. If bell unit, check plunger and spring, polarity of wiring and integrity of cables. Check diode if polarised. Clean of any accumulated dirt. Test signals by activating local call points, check DBA levels and ensure coverage at farthest point, according to BS5839. Complete all necessary commissioning forms and logbook.

Interim Visits carry out testing to the control Panels and Repeaters, the Beacons and Strobes and the Bell and Sounder Signals.

Gmaint also recommend that daily, weekly and monthly servicing/attention be carried out by the user, in order to ensure that all systems are operating normally and any faults found can be actioned.

Regulations

Gmaint's maintenance policy for the testing and inspection of fire alarm systems complies with the manufacturers' recommendations and the requirements of BS5839-1:2008, The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997, which states that fire safety equipment "shall be subject to a suitable system of maintenance and be maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair."

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, companies also have to take into account the needs of any employees with disabilities.

The Fire Safety Regulatory Reform Order, which came into effect on October 1 2006, has consolidated the requirements of existing fire regulations into one piece of legislation requiring a ‘responsible person or persons’ to implement a fire risk assessment of the premises.

Additional Services from Gmaint Limited

As well as maintenance and 24/7 emergency cover for your fire alarm system, Gmaint's experienced engineers can undertake extensions and modifications to existing systems where there is a change in useage or premises, and update or improve systems to minimise unwanted or false alarms.