Record whether a test has been conducted and by whom, the date and the results. A good practice to adopt is to have a nominated person on a site test a random Manual Call Point every week and record results on a log sheet.
Quarterly Engineer Visits
In regular servicing of a fire alarm system the engineer checks all detectors and other parts of the system, tests the function of the fire alarm control panel and tests a sample of sounders/buzzers and other devices.
Six-Monthly and Annual Inspections
From the servicing requirements outlined in BS 5839-1 for fire alarm systems, a full inspection of the fire alarm system for all detectors, sounders and batteries will be carried out at two occasions per year. These occasions will include an annual full service of the fire alarm system to check and inspect all parts of the system, including reviewing the cause-and-effect logic programmed into the fire panel. See also Fire Alarms Northamptonshire.
Keep a Proper Logbook
Test results, details of faults found and details of visits made by engineers must be recorded in a site logbook. The logbook will be required for inspection purposes and for certain insurers.
Bring Servicing Forward After Changes
Additional servicing required when building has undergone refurbishment, changes to existing partitions, or changes to use of building and becomes occupied. It is common for Northamptonshire premises to change from unoccupied to occupied within a year, which often results in the fire system having been designed for the unoccupied state and then finding that it is unsuitable for the new occupied use.
Plan Around Occupied Hours
Try to book fire alarm servicing for Northamptonshire premises for periods when the premises are unoccupied and then test the system. Agree with the engineer beforehand that you would like him to ‘silence’ the test to prevent an unnecessary evacuation of the premises.
A well maintained log book and an up to date annual service schedule are two of the first things that an inspector will look for.