Fire Alarm Test: Key to Preventing Fires

Posted by Trade Facilities Services on November 30th, 2019

According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order of 2005, businesses and commercial spaces should have fire alarm systems to ensure the safety and protection of people, property, and assets. Regular fire alarm testing must also be done as mandated by BS 5839. That’s because for a fire alarm system to be considered 100% reliable, it has to be maintained and tested on a regular basis. This ensures that it can truly protect your employees should there be a fire.

How does a fire alarm check done regularly improve fire safety? By making sure that the system will work when you need it most. Just imagine if your fire alarms fail to detect indications of fire (like smoke and heat). By the time you notice that your people and your property are already in great danger, it might be too late.

Properly maintained and checked fire alarm initiating devices (such as smoke detectors and heat sensors) will surely function efficiently when you need them the most. They will alert you immediately so you can prevent the spread of fire and start an emergency evacuation before the situation gets worse. Aside from this, a fire alarm test can also benefit your business in many other ways:

Claim property insurance

Property insurance providers offer discounts if a business has a solid fire alarm system. However, they will invalidate the policy if the business cannot provide proof of regular fire alarm tests or inspections. You may not be able to claim any more for repairing the damage caused by fire—and this can be a catastrophic financial blow for any company. Play it safe and have inspections done on a regular basis.

Avoid lawsuits

You can face legal problems and even imprisonment if a fire breaks out and the authorities determine that you neglected your responsibility to test your fire alarm system. You can be held accountable for injuries suffered by employees and customers.

Prevent nuisance alarms

You want your fire alarm system to work only during an actual emergency. Without regular maintenance and inspection of your smoke detectors and alarm initiating devices, false alarms can happen—and they can be a real nuisance. If they happen too often, you may have to pay a fine for causing panic and disturbances.

About the Author
I am James Livingstone the owner of Trade Facilities Services, we provide electrical certificates and electrical testing in London, Essex and Kent at reasonable and fair prices. The company is fully insured, and all electricians are qualified and are members of either NAPIT or the NICEIC. We believe in publishing the correct information for our consumers to ensure they get value for money.