Angus has been involved in developing and writing British and International Fire & Safety standards since the mid-1980s. The list of standards that he has participated in is impressive and includes BS5839-1, BS8629, EN54-18 and ISO7240-2. Angus utilises his extensive experience to provide an authoritative perspective on the key issues that affect the Fire & Security Industry today.
Fire alarms play a critical role in keeping your premises safe. They are the first line of defence against fire, giving you early warning and precious time to evacuate. However, just like any other piece of equipment, fire alarms need maintenance to ensure that they work when we need them the most.
Fire alarms are designed to be reliable but sometimes they can fail. Dust, humidity, and other environmental factors can cause corrosion or damage to the electrical components of a fire alarm. Batteries can run down, circuit boards can fail, and smoke detectors can become clogged with dust. In order to ensure that your fire alarm is working properly, regular maintenance is essential.
Fire alarms are complex systems and require specialised knowledge and training to be properly maintained. Fixfire® Fire Alarm Engineers can perform a thorough inspection and test of your fire alarm system and make any necessary repairs or upgrades.
Fire Alarm testing, servicing and maintenance should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and BS5839-1:2017. You will need also to ensure that your maintenance company is competent, such as checking their accreditations.
Fixfire® is BAFE accredited for the Design, Installation, Maintenance and Servicing of Fire Alarm Systems.
The following tests/inspection should be carried out.
Daily Fire Alarm Maintenance
Ensure that the Fire Alarm Control Panel is checked at least once every 24 hours to confirm that there are no faults on the system. You can do this check and it does not need to be recorded unless a fault is identified with the system.
Weekly Test Fire Alarm Maintenance/Testing
The system should be tested at the same time every week using a different call point each time. This ensures sequential testing of all call points. You can do this check, but some clients prefer to ask Fixfire® Fire Alarm Engineers to complete this for them.
In premises where electrically controlled door release mechanisms are used and linked to the fire alarm system, they should also be tested weekly in conjunction with the fire alarm test to ensure their correct operation on the actuation of the alarm.
It should be confirmed that each relay mechanism operates correctly and that the doors close properly, unlock or revert to the fully open position, as appropriate. This test should normally be carried out at approximately the same time each week and be of sufficient duration to ensure proper actuation.
In addition, where relevant automatic connections to other ancillary items should be checked including:
- Fire Resisting Roller Shutters
- Fire & Smoke Dampers
- Fire & Smoke Control Vents
- Electricity, Gas & Fuel Emergency Shut Off
- Passenger Lifts
Following each test, the devices tested, and results should be recorded in the Fire Alarm Events and Actions section of the Fire Log Book.
The responsible person should ensure that the time between inspections is based on a Fire Risk Assessment. However, this should not be longer than every 6 months or at least 2 visits per year.
A comprehensive check and test sequence should be carried out by a competent person, in accordance with the British Standard for Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems for Buildings BS5839-1:2017.
Following each Planned Maintenance, the results should be recorded by the engineer in the Fire Alarm Planned Maintenance Section of the Fire Log Book.
The Fixfire® Fire Log Book fits perfectly with our maintenance system and provides entries for engineer and user testing with dedicated sections for the storage of maintenance certificates.
Got a question about Fire Alarm Maintenance? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000891999
Following the recommendations of BS5839 Part 1 2017 (Fire Alarm British Standard), it is a mandatory requirement to have an up to date, clear and accurate Fire Alarm Zone Chart adjacent to your Fire Alarm Control Panel and any repeater panels you have in your premises.
The purpose of the Zone Chart is to assist persons responding to an alarm to quickly identify the specific location in the building and to help the Fire Brigade understand the building layout before they enter.
When the Fire Alarm System is installed, the building is divided into Fire Zones. Any Manual Call Point (Red Box) or Fire Detector that is fitted will trigger a particular zone when activated.
The Zone Chart shows the division of each zone area with a ‘You are Here’ arrow to identify the position of the Fire Alarm Panel. The view of the building should be orientated in relation to the Fire Alarm Panel position to minimise confusion.
What is involved in producing a Zone Chart?
- Hard copy
- Or preferably AutoCAD (dwg) format
You have a legal duty of care to dispose of waste legitimately and safely via a licensed waste carrier. Failure to do so can result in prosecution, even if you have outsourced the disposal to a third party.
The Fixfire® Extinguisher Recycling Process is your reassurance that any Fire Extinguishers we remove from your premises have been disposed of in a safe and legal manner. 97% of each processed Fire Extinguisher is recycled.
Our contracted Extinguisher Recycling Unit (ERU) is a dedicated facility offering a service for the safe processing and recycling/disposal of fire extinguishers. The facility operates closely with the local Water Authority and the Environment Agency to develop safe, efficient and environmentally friendly processes, ensuring that ISO14001 certification is upheld.
Got a question about Fire Extinguisher Disposal? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999
False Fire Alarms remain a huge concern within the education sector- interrupting already carefully scheduled, planned and well-prepared lessons or even causing major disruption and distress to exams.
Clearly, these false alarms cause significant inconvenience and disruption to students, staff, and visitors. They compromise everyone’s safety in the school and present a significant risk to the local community since the Fire Brigade will prioritise the school over other emergency callouts.
Solutions you should consider:
The first and most straightforward way is to use anti-tamper products.
Fixfire® supplies a wide range of solutions designed to protect Fire Alarm Devices from inadvertent damage or deliberate misuse/vandalism.
Products include:
- Local plastic cover flaps which attach directly to manual call points.
- The stopper consists of a clear, tamperproof, tough polycarbonate cover, frame and spacer that retrofits over a break glass call point. When lifted to operate the break glass unit, its optional battery powered integral sounder emits a piercing 96dB (at 1m). Immediate attention is drawn to the area and a prankster will either run or be caught!
- A range of steel web stoppers designed to protect fire detectors and warning devices. They are constructed from heavy-duty galvanised steel rod which is plastic-coated for durability and external use.
- A range of polycarbonate enclosures are available for the protection of devices such as fire alarm control panels and associated control equipment. The enclosures combine tough rugged construction with stylish design and offer excellent protection with a key lock for authorised access.
We also provide anti-tamper devices for fire extinguishers and associated products.
KeyCall® is a patented anti-ligature Fire Alarm and Access Control call point. It is designed to use the same key as the doors, providing simple operation for staff whilst eliminating nuisance activations by service-users.
KeyCall® has been developed by Fixfire® specifically for approved applications where standard versions would be vulnerable to abuse.
It is one of the best solutions for SEN schools and it is also compatible with a wide range of Conventional and Addressable Fire Alarm Systems.
Got a question about False Fire Alarms? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999
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