Hi All, can someone possibly tell me the criteria for the testing of point detection. I am currently having trouble with our landlords provider and our provider telling me different things when testing the detection in our new premises.

Many Thanks

Tom

I think the reason why you haven't had any responses is that you haven't given enough information for us to get a handle on to give you advice.  The testing regime depends on the type of system, the way it is set up and a number of other factors.  What is the differing advice relating to and how much does it differ?  Are they both working from the BS guidance and can you look at that to make some sort of judgement as to what is correct?

Is this what you meant? (as I am confused too)

Maintaining the system: what is involved?

No matter how technologically advanced a fire detection and fire alarm system might be with state-of-the-art self-monitoring and automatic fault detection features, there will always be the need for human observation and intervention to ensure its continuous smooth running and optimum performance.

There are three main reasons for routine maintenance and testing:

1. To identify any faults signalled and take the appropriate action to rectify them;
2. To ensure there have been no major failures of the system, either as a whole or in part;
3. To familiarise occupants of the building with the fire alarm signal(s).

As such, it is important for the premises management to institute a schedule of system testing, which can be sub-divided into weekly and monthly routines. Details of all tests should be recorded in the system logbook (p 129, Annex F).

Weekly routine

The Standard makes five detailed recommendations in respect of weekly testing by the user (p 117), which in summary are:

1. The operation of a manual call point during normal working hours;
2. This test to be carried out at approximately the same time each week;
3. Additional tests to be made at least once a month for any employees not usually present during the normal weekly test;
4. In systems with multiple manual call points, a different one to be tested each week, so that all are eventually included in the schedule of testing over a period of time;
5. The routine test time should not normally exceed one minute, so that the occupants of the premises can learn to distinguish between this weekly alarm and an actual fire alarm.

In respect of voice alarm systems, the Standard recommends that these are tested weekly in accordance with BS 5839-8.

Monthly routine

The Standard applies two detailed recommendations for monthly testing by the user (p 118), which can be summarised as follows:

1. If the standby power supply to the system includes an automatically started emergency generator, this should be tested monthly;
2. If the standby power supply is provided by vented batteries, these should be inspected visually. Furthermore all vented batteries and their connections should be examined on a quarterly basis (i.e. every three months) by a person competent in battery installation and maintenance technology.

Inspection and servicing

Over and above the weekly and monthly test routines, it is important for regular inspection and servicing of the system to be carried out, in order to identify and rectify any faults, including false alarm problems. The inspection should also ensure that the user is notified of any changes made to the actual fabric of the building – e.g. extensions, alterations or remedial work – that might have been made in the meantime that have affected the system in any way.. Changes in use and / or occupancy levels of a building can also have a detrimental effect on the protection offered by existing fire protection and fire alarm systems so any such factors must also be taken into consideration during the inspection process. The recommended period between successive inspection and servicing visits should not exceed six months – failure to implement this recommendation will result in the system not being compliant with BS 5839-1, with no allowance for variation. Because of the specialist nature of the work, inspections are usually contracted out to a fire alarm service organisation, whose competence can be assured by third-party certification.

Functions included in the periodic inspection and testing of the system include, inter alia, an examination of the logbook, to include follow-up action on any faults recorded, and a visual inspection of all the manual call points, automatic fire detectors and fire alarm devices, with particular regard to any changes in building structure, occupancy levels and / or use, as noted above. Pages 119-120 of the Standard apply detailed recommendations to the various aspects of periodic system inspection and testing, with recommendations in respect of additional tasks that should be carried out annually (pp 120-123). As this is a labour-intensive undertaking, it is noted that some elements of the work can be spread over two or more service visits during each twelve-month period (p 123).

NB under Clause 45.3 (p 119) the Standard recommends that all types of detectors be tested in such a way that the stimulus they are designed to measure are capable of passing unhindered from the area protected by each detector to their sensing chamber/element. Tests which merely verify a detector is capable of sampling the atmosphere already in contact with them do not comply with BS 5839-1.

New in the 2017 revision, specific recommendations for the testing of multi-sensor detectors have been added as Clause 45.4.j.

In respect of non-routine attention to the system (pp 123-127), there are several scenarios that can arise and to which the Standard applies detailed recommendations. These range, inter alia, from the appointment of a new servicing organisation (which will necessitate a special inspection of the system) through fault repair and system modifications to inspection and test of the system following any fire.

Source: https://www.safelincs.co.uk/a-summary-of-the-bs5839-1-2017/