- What Regulations apply?
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- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for England and Wales.
Article 13 Fire-fighting and fire detection.
- The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 for Scotland.
Section 58 Scottish Ministers’ power to make regulations about fire safety.
- Why do I need to provide a fire alarm sytem?
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To warn persons within your premises that there is a fire situation and for them to evacuate the property to a place of safety.
- What standards apply to fire alarms/fire detection?
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- BS 5839-1: 2002 Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Buildings
- Who will advise me on my fire alarm system requirements?
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This advice is available from a number of sources:-
- Building control officers;
- Recommendations from the Local Fire Officer;
- From a Fire Risk Assessor following a fire risk assessment of your premises;
- Approved suppliers of emergency lighting equipment.
- Who can install fire alarm systems?
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An approved electrical contractor enrolled with NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting).
The electrical contractor will issue an installation certificate on completion of the system.
- What are my responsibilities, once I have installed the fire alarm/fire detection?
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Carry Out Daily Inspection:-
- Check fire panel warning lights to ensure normal status.
Weekly Fire Alarm Test:-
- Test fire alarm activation from one of the manual call points, by using the test key provided;
- Test from a different manual call point each week, alternating floor levels;
- More than one fire zone, then test a manual call point in each zone;
Monthly Inspection:-
- Check for damage to fire alarm equipment;
- Check to ensure manual call points are not obstructed;
- Check fire detectors are not missing or covered up;
Annual Inspection:-
- Full inspection and test of all equipment by a competent person.
Fire Log Book
All tests to recorded in the fire log book, test certificates should be kept with the fire log book to be available for inspection by relevant authorities.