Fire alarms are a vital piece of kit for any commercial premises. As such, they need to be regularly inspected to make sure they’re ready when needed. In this post, we’ll answer all the main questions about fire alarm inspections – what they are, when they’re necessary, why they’re important and how to get them done.
A professional fire alarm inspection isn’t just a sound test to see if your alarms are switched on. It’s a full inspection of all the system’s components, including the main fire alarm panel, along with smoke detectors, alarms and sirens in accordance with BS5839 safety standards. Each component will be visually inspected and put to the test to make sure it’s in good condition and full working order.
A fire alarm inspection is required by law at least twice a year. A trained specialist may recommend more frequent inspections for high-risk premises, such as restaurants. You should also test your fire alarms every week to make sure they’re working.
There are a few reasons why a fire alarm inspection is important. The first is safety. Fire alarms provide an early warning of fire to those in and around a building, allowing them to exit safely as soon as possible. But they need to be working to do so, which a fire alarm inspection will ensure.
Next is compliance. You’re required by law to keep your fire alarms well maintained, based on the Fire Safety Order. Failure to do so could see you liable if a fire breaks out and harms or even kills someone. Inspections make sure you’re on the right side of the law at all times.
Finally, there’s the cost. Fire alarm inspections spot small issues when they’re typically easier and cheaper to fix. That means no expensive emergency repairs and no costly disruption and downtime for your business.
Last but certainly not least is how fire alarms should be inspected. The simple answer is by a fully trained and accredited electrical contractor who has experience working with fire alarm systems.
It’s also a good idea to implement an inspection and servicing contract, which includes your biannual inspections and any repairs necessary. This will provide complete peace of mind that your system is taken care of with no unexpected costs. It also saves you from having to remember to arrange an inspection every six months.
Don’t take chances with fire safety. It’s so quick and easy to book a fire alarm inspection and sidestep all the potential damage fire can do to your business.
At Volta Compliance, we provide professional, reliable fire alarm inspections and servicing throughout Yorkshire. Whether it’s an ongoing contract or a one-off inspection with repairs, we’ll tailor our services to your requirements.
Want to find out more or arrange an inspection? Call us on 0113 397 1361 or email [email protected].
