Comprehensive Guidance on Testing & Maintaining Fire Safety Equipment

Fire Alarm System:

• The responsible person, in line with BS 5839-1 recommendations, oversees the fire alarm system's installation and maintenance
• Regular user testing, daily checks of the main control panel, and a weekly test of different manual call points (MCPs) each week is essential to ensure proper functionality
• Quarterly visual inspections and bi-annual service inspections by a competent maintenance company guarantee the system's reliability and compliance.

Emergency Escape Lighting:

• Emergency lighting systems, as per BS 5266-1 standards, require regular testing and maintenance
• Monthly user testing involves flick test by manually switching off mains power to assess illumination and battery backup functionality
• Annual discharge testing by a competent maintenance company ensures emergency lights remain operational for the required duration.

Fire Extinguishers:

• Regular user inspections, preferably monthly, ensure fire extinguishers are correctly positioned and have not been discharged
• Annual servicing by a competent maintenance company, following BS 5306 standards, includes various levels of maintenance based on extinguisher type.

Key Takeaways:

• Training and certification for maintenance personnel are crucial to ensure adherence to industry standards
• Compliance with regulatory standards is essential to guarantee effective fire safety measures
• Proactive testing and maintenance are vital components of a comprehensive fire safety strategy.