Rank: New forum user 
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Hi
Can someone please point me in the right direction with regards to which legislation covers the frequency of fire alarm testing.
I currently work for a company who have not tested the fire alarm system in over four years and evacuated the premises in over six!!!
It is my understanding that the fire alarm system should be checked weekly and an evacuation once a year. I need the legislation so I can force my employers to carryout these tasks.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Talk to your local Fife Authority, and/or look at their website I see you are a 'Merseyside' member. If that's your Fire Authority, their website gives the following links [on a basic search on "Fire alarm testing" - http://www.merseyfire.go...esting&ResultsPage=1
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Rank: Forum user
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hi, there is actually a provision with ILO with regards to Fire, but could not find it but they have some magazines that stated a company requires to have a training annually with regards to evacuation. below is the link to the magazine just check it out on evacuation topic http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp...ication/dwcms_080615.pdfRegards
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Rank: Super forum user
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I meant 'Fire Authority' not 'Fife'
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Rank: Super forum user
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BS5839: Part 1: 2002 TESTING AND MAINTENANCE outlines the required test intervals etc. You can find lots of info / guides online when searching for the mentioned standard online. Here is one below:- http://www.ttsfire.co.uk/bsdefinition.html
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Rank: Super forum user 
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To be fair, SMcDonald asked for legislation, and British standards ain't law.
There are three bits of legislation which apply. The specific piece that applies depends where the premises are. (Eng, Scot, or Wales)
In England,,Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform Fire safety Order 2005 requires that all systems are subject to regular maintenance. How that is done is up to the 'responsible person' (usually the employer). However, enforcing authorities will expect that systems are maintained to a particular benchmark standard; this is where the BS' come in.
Although there is no requirement for records, the RP also has to prove such maintenance has been completed
Article 15 states: that the responsible person should establish ..... procedures, including safety drills, to be followed in the event of serious and imminent danger ....
This therefore requires fire drills to 'test' the procedures that have been established. There's no set frequency, but even the nicest inspecting officer (and I was!!) would be a little angry if there had not been a fire drill for six years. Again, no paperwork/records need to be kept, but the RP will have to prove compliance (how you do that without records is beyond me!)
(although there's 3 separate laws, the provision is broadly the same)
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Rank: Super forum user 
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To add to messyshaw's posting I suggest that when a fire risk assessment has been carried out in accordance with the relevant legislation (if done by somebody who knows what they are doing i.e. competent), there should be comment on the adequacy of the various arrangements in place. This would include alarm testing and drills. There should also be a section detailing the improvements that need to be made to bring the overall fire risk to an acceptable level. This may well include weekly bell tests and annual evacuations but will depend on the specific circumstances, site and people involved. There could be justification for monthly alarm tests and 6 monthly drills.
I find it impossible to imagine a scenario where alarms being untested and drills overlooked for the periods of time quoted to be anything but grossly inadequate (assuming the premises are occupied and people are at risk).
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