Fire alarms are a legal requirement for businesses. As a business owner, it’s crucial that the safety of your employees is a top priority, and that means ensuring that the correct fire safety and security measurements are in place in your commercial building. A fire alarm system detects and warns people when there is a fire and is essential in all homes and businesses - however, it’s not enough to just install it; it requires regular testing and maintenance too.
At EK Fire Protection, we are regularly asked about how often fire alarms need to be inspected and how to best maintain them. For your convenience, we’ve decided to put together our top tips and answer one of your most frequently asked questions. Read on to find out more!
How often should fire alarms be tested?
Your fire alarms should be checked and inspected every six months at the absolute minimum. This inspection should be carried out by a competent person with the correct training. In addition to ensuring that inspections are carried out every six months, it’s also important that you run weekly fire alarm tests too.
Fire alarm tests are a crucial part of the maintenance plan; regular testing helps to ensure that all of your devices are operating correctly. It’s also an important step for ensuring that your employees know what to do in the event of a fire; running regular tests ensures that everyone in the building knows how it sounds and what to listen out for in the event of a fire.
During a fire alarm test, the condition of your system will be checked and the power of the standby batteries inspected. The sound will also be tested, ensuring that it sounds exactly as it should. Any faults should be recorded and repaired right away. It’s crucial that your fire alarm test log book is accurate and up-to-date at all times.
It’s important to note that there’s no real way to carry out your weekly fire alarm test without having the sounders go off. However, this is important and is only a sign that your alarm is working exactly as it should be.
EK Fire Protection: Fire Protection Services
At EK Fire Protection, we provide fire safety solutions for businesses. We have an extensive range of fire alarm systems, products and services available to improve the fire safety of your commercial building. Visit our website to learn more about us.
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