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#1 Posted : 16 January 2008 11:51:00(UTC)
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Posted By Brenda H
Looking at sleeping accommodation guidance about keeping records for testing of fire extinguishers, fire alarms, emergency lighting, electrical circuit checks etc on site.

But do we have to? Is it ok to have alternative arrangements, i.e. in central office location? And if we did this, would we have to note in the property where/who kept it?

Cheers
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#2 Posted : 16 January 2008 11:56:00(UTC)
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Posted By M Forbes
I don't know of the legality, but i do know it soudns like a bad idea. I mean if you have 20 fire extinguishers tested in each building, do you expect someone at your central location to write this down for all your facilities, then when you need to find a record of when last it was tested you have to call someone who has to trawl through documents to find th eone relating to your building. . .

Just keep a folder in each building with a page for fire alarm maintenace, burglar alarm maintenance, electrical checks, emergency lighting checks, legionella checks, ventilation checks etc, thats what we do. We assigned the receptionist or designated person where applicable to ensure its kept up to date, works a charm and we just review them now and again.

Regards

M Forbes
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#3 Posted : 16 January 2008 12:24:00(UTC)
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Posted By Brenda H
Don't have a problem for the larger buildings where all of what you mention is relevant.

It's the smaller one's where there isn't a resident caretaker, the building doesn't have the checks you mention, just electrical checks of lighting.
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#4 Posted : 16 January 2008 18:01:00(UTC)
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Posted By pluto
Strictly speaking there is no absolute requirement to keep test records at all. It would however be very difficult for you to prove that you are complying with much of the Fire Safety Order without doing so.
Anyway it is certainly good practise to do so and I would recommend that records are kept on the premises.
the exception would be where much of the testing and maintenance is outsourced and central records are fed back to some sort of company intranet.
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#5 Posted : 16 January 2008 22:21:00(UTC)
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Posted By Bob Shillabeer
How do you test a fire extinuisher? When you use an extinguiser it has tio be replaced, so why test it it simply means you have to replace it. You check the extinguisher is fully charged and the seal and pin are intact. Change them when they pass thier date and renew the cartridge or refill with water, or gas in accordance with the maintenance schedule and you meat the legal requirements for them. Test emergency lighting, yes, in accordance with the installation requirements. As for emergency light tehy should be tested regularly by operating the key switch and running the battery down in accordance with the installers instructions to check they work and baterry is fully charged. if the emergency lights don't have a requirement to test them check the indicator lights (where fitted) are working.

Most importantly record they have been tested and action any defects found and test again.
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