For fire detection and alarm systems it is recommended a service by a competent provider is carried out every 6 months to comply with BS 5839-1 (the British Standard for fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings in non-domestic premises). BS 5839-1 outlines multiple recommendations for inspecting and testing these systems that all BAFE SP203-1 Registered Organisations will be following.
“The recommendations in this clause should be carried out by a competent person (see 3.12). The period between successive inspection and servicing visits should not exceed six months. If this recommendation is not implemented, it should be considered that the system is no longer compliant with this part of BS 5839.” - BS 5839-1 Clause 45.3 (Recommendations for periodic inspection and test of the system).
The British Standard (BS 5839-1) states “It is essential that the system is subject to periodic inspection and servicing so that faults are identified, preventive measures can be taken to ensure the continued reliability of the system, false alarm problems are identified and suitably addressed, and the user is made aware of any changes to the building that affect the protection afforded by the system.” - BS 5839-1 Clause 45.1 (Commentary – Inspection and servicing).
Please note
There are also additional recommendations in BS 5839-1 for routine testing and inspection of the system. These can be found in Section 6 (Maintenance) of the British Standard. Your chosen BAFE SP203-1 Registered Organisation can advise further on these for you.
Further information from BS 5839-1 regarding inspection and servicing
“Periodic inspection and servicing needs to be carried out by a competent person with specialist knowledge of fire detection and fire alarm systems, including knowledge of the causes of false alarms, sufficient information regarding the system, and adequate access to spares.
This is normally an outside fire alarm servicing organization; care needs to be taken to ensure that, if, for example, in-house employees are used for this task, they have equivalent competence to the technicians of a typical fire alarm servicing organization. Competence of a fire alarm servicing organization can be assured by the use of organizations that are third-party certificated, by a UKAS-accredited certification body [such as a BAFE SP203-1 Registered Organisation], to carry out inspection and servicing of fire alarm systems.” - BS 5839-1 Clause 45.1 (Commentary – Inspection and servicing).
Every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date.
No legal responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions.