I've come across a problem regarding one of our commercial premises, just wondering if anyone else has come across this scenario before? I do not have much experience of rented premises with a mix of domestic and commercial properties.

A shop that we have is on the ground floor of a small block of flats. The block of flats and shop have a shared fire alarm system. The fire alarm panel is located in the hallway to the flats, which we have no access to. After speaking with the shop staff, it seems as if there is no weekly fire alarm test.

What is usual best practice here? That we would have access to the panel? Would it be better to install our own system, which could be linked to the existing panel?

Thanks

You need to talk with the owner or their agent regarding how the alarm was installed, why the panel is where it is and how its use was envisaged.

If I lived in one of the flats I would be pretty annoyed with a weekly test by a shop disturbing my peace but at the same time if a fire broke out in the commercial unit I would expect some form of alarm to evacuate.

There may be something in the rental agreements about the alarm system e.g. scheduled test date and evacuation.

If you can't get an answer from the owner perhaps one of the residents might show you their lease.

Until you have clarity I would not be setting up a stand alone alarm for the shop, nor attaching it to the existing panel.

Is it a massive floor area / lots of separate rooms or somewhere that could be readily swept by the staff instructing customers about evacuation?

The first questions I would always ask is "Who is the fire alarm for?" and "Is it required at all?". 

This situation suggests there has been a change of use of the building along the way. So are the flats 'designed' for a stay put emergency response? If so, then the flats don't need any common fire alarm system (including in any common areas). In this case, the need for any fire alarm system within the shop will need to be assessed as a stand-alone retail unit. However, if the flats haven't been specifically designed for a stay put approach, then a common system is likely to be required covering the building as a whole. As a required system the full requirements for a fire alarm system will need to be met, including the suitable location of the fire panel, and the need for weekly tests.

Hope it helps?

Tony.