Quick question regarding testing of fire alarms (weekly). I know the requirement for carrying out such a test ie BS5839 Pt1 & The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (Article 17), however I have a question as to when this should be carried out. Currently this is carried out during weekends, when the factory is closed and whilst only has some engineering personnel on-site. The log book is appears to be up-to-date, however I have my suspicions as to whether it actually gets done at all. Im looking to get this test conducted whilst the factory is staffed during normal working hours, and was hoping for advice in putting my case to management. Thank you in advance!

Hi Guru There is no case to put, it is vital that the employees know the sound of the alarm, we carry out weekly alarm testing every Tuesday at a fixed time in each our our sites. All staff and visitors are informed at induction and the rest were briefed before we started the testing program, the safety notice board has the times in a clear poster, staff now expect the bell to ring at 10am every tuesday. The disruption level is minimal 5-10 seconds of siren thats it, I do it with a memeber of the facilities team, its logged and we work our way round the whole site different call point each time, actually found a call point that I did not know existed a couple of months ago, that was missed off the plans! Its all in the communication, good luck Fouldsy

I used to test same time same day every week, everybody knew to expect it and it was a good system. One day the MD gave me a rolicking for testing while he was on the phone. It was he who was in the wrong but he is always the MD.

I think your both getting your wires crossed between evac drills and alarm system tests. I don't really think an alarm system test counts as training other than "Oh! that's what it sounds like"

It should be done during normal working hours, as said before, to ensure employees get to know what the sound is, but also so that they can report any areas of the workplace where the alarm could no be heard. if it done at the weekend with limited staff on site this might not be achievable.

Thanks for all your time in replying to this thread. Just to clarify, we do carry out fire evacuations twice yearly, the query was with regard to weekly testing of the fire alarm (non evacuations) I find it odd that the test is carried out when that factory is virtually empty, however it may have been moved to minimise impact to production, although I find it hard to understand how this may be the case. As I implied with the original post, I have my doubts whether the test actually gets done at all, however the log book is up to date. I see too many benefits is carrying out the test during normal working hours, as already mentioned, however I need to prepare myself that when it boils down to the nitty gritty there is no requirement for such a test to be conducted during normal working hours....merely 'weekly tests' being stipulated. I'll put my recommendations forward and see how I go.