A Guide to Fire Alarm Service and Maintenance Requirements

1. A Guide to Fire Alarm Service and Maintenance Requirements

2. Guide To Service And Maintenance Requirements This presentation covers: • Current legislation • What you should expect from a qualified service person/ organisation • Identification of the documentation that should be maintained by the responsible owner-occupier.

3. Agenda • Why correct servicing of your fire alarm system is important • Your responsibilities as owner-occupier or service provider • What the code of practice BS 5839-1:2002 recommends • How do we recognise who is competent?

4. Why Is It Necessary ?

5. Why Is It Necessary ? • Avoid financial losses and a coroners inquest • Ensure your ‘current’ fire alarm system meets today’s standards, regulations and legislation • Ensure you have the right documentation to satisfy the courts • Reassurance that you meet demand of new legislation (RRO) • Avoid prosecution and penalties for non-compliance

6. Who Is Responsible ? • The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order - (RRO) (paragraph 3) defines the “responsible person” as; • “In relation to a workplace, the employer if the workplace is to any extent under his control • “In relation to any other premises: the person who has control of the premises (as occupier or otherwise) in connection with the carrying on by him of a trade, business or other undertaking (for profit or not); or the owner, where the person in control of the premises does not have control in connection with the carrying on by that person of a trade, business or other undertaking.”

7. Responsibilities Of The Owner-Occupier • Carry out and record a Fire Risk Assessment. • Adequate level of protection from your fire alarm system (L1-L5 or M) • Adequate means of escape • Correct signage • Sufficient fire fighting equipment • An Emergency plan and all occupants are aware of what to do.

8. Responsibilities Of The Owner-Occupier • Ensure you have a full set of documentation. • Keep these documents - particularly the log book - up to date. • Appoint a responsible person to: • Check system is operating on a daily basis. • Carryout and record weekly tests. • Maintain the building records and fire log book. • Appoint a service organisation, which is competent & accredited to BAFE SP203.

9. Responsibilities Of Appointed service provider Carry out the all service checks described within BS5839-1:2002 Ensure that faults are attended to as and when required Advise the End User of any necessary alterations due to changes within the building or its use Maintain the log book and system drawings Ensure the End User is carrying out their role as defined within BS5839 –1:2002 Complete all relevant documentation including Maintenance & any System Modification Certificates

10. BS 5839 2002 PT1 Recommendation For Routine Test & service Routine testing by the user : • Daily - Check that the fire panel is fault free • Weekly - Test system from a different call point & keep record of which one tested in the fire log book. Log book records to include: • Name of responsible person • Maintenance agreements with point of contact • Dates and times of signals albeit fire or fault • Causes of false alarms (if applicable) • Dates and times of all tests, faults and defects • Dates and types of maintenance • Quarterly or Six Monthly inspections

11. BS 5839 Recommendation For Annual Test & Service Inspection & Servicing by a competent service provider either two or four times a year (subject to risk assessment). • Test every manual call point and or a zone each visit • Test all types of detectors, smoke & heat • Inspect every detector for damage and obstructions • Check analogue values of all sensors for contamination • Check the products of combustion can reach the sensing elements of the detector • Test the battery for condition and correct stand by period • Check that the zone plan is accurate • Check that the system conforms to the design i.e. L1 – L5, M

12. BS 5839 Recommendation For Annual Test & Service • Alarm functions and visual indicators on control panels • Operation of remote signalling to the ARC for fire and fault • Printers are working if connected • Cause and effect – doors close or release, lifts drop, gas shutdown etc • Investigate any reported false alarms in the log book and correct as necessary • Issue a service certificate • Complete the fire alarm log book • Report any defects to the responsible user

13. Guide to causes of false alarms and the correct detector type

14. Measuring Competency Competency and how do we measure or recognise it ? The BAFE SP203 scheme provides the end user with the assurance that the fire alarm company installing or servicing their fire alarm system is competent. Under the BAFE scheme the fire alarm company has regular inspections by a third party qualified UKAS inspector on the following: • The FA company has the necessary trained staff and resources. • The FA company designs fire alarm systems in accordance to BS5839 2002 • The FA company installs fire alarm systems in accordance to BS5839 2002 • The FA company commissions fire alarm systems in accordance to BS5839 2002 • The FA company services fire alarm systems in accordance to BS5839 2002 • The FA company provides a 24 hour emergency call out services in accordance to BS5839 2002

15. Any Questions ?