Ocean Fire & Security

Fire alarms: frequently asked questions

Date: 8th April 2022

Fire alarms: frequently asked questions

1 – Who is responsible the premises fire safety?

You’re responsible for fire safety in business or other non-domestic premises if you’re:
• an employer
• the owner
• the landlord
• an occupier
• anyone else with control of the premises, for example a facilities manager, building manager, managing agent or risk assessor

You’re known as the ‘responsible person’.

Important - You could be fined or go to prison if you do not follow fire safety regulations.

2 – Do I need a fire alarm?

Yes! Current UK fire alarm regulations state that all business premises must have ‘an appropriate fire system’. This means that an occurrence of fire can easily be detected, and occupants can easily be warned.

3 – What type of fire alarm do I need?

To establish this, you will need to have a fire risk assessment undertaken. This will evaluate the premises, the risk factors and provide the details of what is required to be in place.

4 – How often should I test my fire alarm?

You should test your fire alarm on a weekly basis at a set time. Occupants of the building should be warned that the test is going to be conducted and the test should be recorded in the fire alarm logbook, with any faults recorded and reported immediately to your fire alarm company.

5 – How often should the fire alarm be serviced by my fire alarm company?

Your fire alarm should be serviced by a competent fire alarm company at least every 6 months. For some premises, for example residential care and educational boarding premises, the fire alarm should be serviced every 3 months.

6 – What is classed as a competent fire alarm company?

BS 5839-1 2017 suggests that the competence of a fire alarm company can be assured by the company gaining third party certification, i.e. holding BAFE registration, specifically having BAFE SP203-1, Design, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems Scheme.

Do you have any fire alarm questions we can help you with? Call us 01935 475524 and see how we can help!

#firesecurity #firealarms #firealarmsystem

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