Testing Your Workplace Fire Alarms

The importance of workplace fire safety should never be overlooked. One of the most vital elements in any fire safety plan is the fire alarm system and in particular fire alarms. Legislation states that business must have a working fire detection and warning system in place.

Depending on what type of business you run and building you are in, you may need different or specific alarms. Nevertheless, they need to be tested in accordance with the law.

Testing Fire Alarms

Checking a fire alarm is usually done by triggering the alarm to ensure that each is connected to your business’s fire alarm system.

If your business uses alarms that automatically contact the fire brigade when they are sounded, be sure to inform them of testing times so they aren’t rushed out to your site.

How Often Should Alarms Be Tested?

Just as domestic fire alarms should regularly be checked to ensure they are in working order, workplace alarms need due care and attention.

Article 17 of the 2005 Fire Order Safety Act dictates that fire detection devices should be tested at least once a week.

Who Should Perform Testing?

In most cases, weekly testing is conducted is carried out by the person or company that initially installed fire alarms and systems.

The responsible person of a building usually has some level of authority to change who tests the alarms. A new designated checker should have a good knowledge base and experience in testing and identifying potential problems.

Under no circumstances should an unqualified staff member or other individual be tasked with fire alarm maintenance.

Should Testing Be Recorded?

All fire alarms testing needs to be well documented and recorded. Responsible persons are held accountable for logging and such should take every action to ensure that relevant information is adequately logged, even if the tester has been given the paperwork to fill out.

What Needs to Be Recorded?

Every time testing has been conducted or the alarms has been changed in any way, records need to be updated to indicate exactly what has been carried out.

• The date and time of any point that fire alarms have been tested, set off, disconnected or changed for any reason.

• Reasoning for and duration's of alarms being set off.

•     Date, time and reasoning for servicing or maintenance.

•  Any identified faults and people who have been notified of malfunctions.

•     Any action or scheduled action taken in the event of identified fault.

On the most part, businesses and companies fulfil obligations to safeguard and protect staff members, property and stock in the event of fire.

Fire alarms are not used as the one and only safety measure. Working as part of a whole system to provide as much protection as possible, they can warn of outbreaks and give everybody in the building the time needed to evacuate.

Be sure that these guidelines are followed exactly as failure to comply with them will essentially result in not only putting lives at risk but also breaking the law.