Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By Bob Matthews
Can anyone please help?
I believe we should be testing our fire alarm system every week, but our Facilities Manager disagrees, he says it only needs to be tested every so often. Is there any legislation on this or has anyone any views?
Cheers
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By John Bennett
Bob,
FIRE SAFETY - An Employers Guide (Part 3 - Further Guidance on Fire Precautions) states,
Electrical fire detection and fire warning systems should be tested weekly for function and to check whether they can be heard throughout the area covered. Make sure they can be seen or heard, particually by disbled people, and that voice alarms can be understood. They should also be inspected and tested quarterly and annually by a competent person.
We carry out a weekly test and rotate call point operated to ensure that each one is activated on a rolling basis.
If you like I can fax you the passage from the publication.
Hope this helps.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Bob Matthews
John,
I would appreciate a fax, the number is 0161-682-9487
Many Thanks
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Laurie
This ties in very well with my recent thread on Enforcement Agencies. I too would like to test my fire alarms weekly, but the local Fire Prevention Officer has told my Facilities Manager that we only need to do them monthly.
I repeat - this sort of thing is very frustrating,
Laurie
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By John Bennett
If your premises is covered by a fire cirtificate then you are required under Part 3 to test the fire alarm on a weekly basis.
Hope this helps,
John
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Frank Neville Johnson
Bob
There is no law as such requiring fire alarm systems to be tested weekly. However, by implication a fire certificate is a legal instrument and may make such requirements. The age of the fire certificate quite often will determine the frequency at which the fire alarm is to be tested since it will invariably reflect the code of practice or British Standard in force at the time of issue. Local Authorities will be sensitive to these differences and will often make a judgement based on a risk assessment at the time of the inspection. Reference to your fire certificate will determine the frequency of tests required by law.
However, If you do not have a fire certificate then the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1999 apply, the relevant section being regulation 6, 'system of maintenance'. An adequate system of testing and maintenance will be determined by (dare I say) a 'risk assessment'. In order then to determine what might be reasonable 'today' reference should be made to British Standard BS5839: Part 1: 1988 as amended (I think there is a 1999 version). Although this standard has no force in law it is the one used most frequently by Local Authority Fire Officers to determine what is reasonable, and guess what, it recommends weekly tests.
Best of Luck
Frank
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.