Commercial Fire Alarm Testing Support
Understanding your fire alarm testing obligations — and making sure they're met — is an important part of fire safety compliance. We provide guidance and support on testing requirements for commercial building owners and managers across Burnley and Lancashire.
Fire Alarm Testing Under BS 5839-1
BS 5839-1 sets out clear requirements for fire alarm testing in commercial buildings. Testing is required at multiple levels — from weekly in-house call point tests through to annual or bi-annual comprehensive tests carried out by a competent engineer.
Understanding what is required at each level — and who is responsible for it — is important for duty holders, facilities managers, and responsible persons in commercial buildings.
Levels of Fire Alarm Testing
- Weekly: Manual call point test by building staff. Rotated between call points. Logged in fire alarm logbook.
- Quarterly or bi-annual: Full system test by a competent fire alarm engineer, as part of a planned maintenance visit.
- After modifications: Any zone or system modification should be followed by a test of the affected areas before the system is put back into service.
Who Is Responsible for Fire Alarm Testing?
The Responsible Person
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person — typically the employer, building owner, or managing agent — is legally responsible for ensuring fire safety measures, including the fire alarm, are maintained and tested.
Building Staff
Weekly call point tests can and should be carried out by a designated member of building staff. This does not require a specialist engineer. The key requirements are consistency, rotation of call points, and proper logbook recording.
Competent Engineers
The periodic comprehensive testing — as part of a planned service or maintenance visit — must be carried out by a competent fire alarm engineer. This is where we come in, as part of a maintenance or servicing contract.
How Testing Relates to Maintenance & Servicing
Weekly testing and professional maintenance are not alternatives — they work together as part of a comprehensive fire alarm management programme.
Weekly tests confirm that the system broadly activates and that staff can identify abnormal conditions. They are a basic operational check, not a substitute for proper maintenance.
Professional maintenance and servicing visits go much further: testing every individual device, checking batteries and chargers, inspecting wiring and connections, reviewing the panel's internal diagnostics, and identifying developing faults before they become failures.
Don't confuse weekly testing with maintenance. Many duty holders believe that because they carry out weekly tests, their maintenance obligations are fulfilled. They are not. Weekly tests are supplementary to — not a replacement for — professional maintenance visits in accordance with BS 5839-1.
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Fire Alarm Testing — Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I test my fire alarm?
BS 5839-1 recommends that a manual call point test is carried out every week. The same call point should not be used for every test — they should be rotated so that every call point is tested periodically. A logbook record should be made after every weekly test. More comprehensive periodic testing is carried out as part of the formal service visits (typically twice yearly).
Who should carry out the weekly fire alarm test?
Weekly tests should be carried out by the responsible person or a designated competent person at the premises. This does not require a specialist fire alarm engineer — it is a simple call point activation. The key is that it is done consistently and recorded in the logbook.
What happens if my fire alarm fails a test?
If a fault is identified during testing — a call point that doesn't activate the alarm, a zone that doesn't respond, or a device that shows as faulty — this should be recorded in the logbook and reported to a competent fire alarm engineer for investigation. The fault should not be left unaddressed. Contact us on 01282 787717 if you identify a fault following a test.
How does routine testing relate to professional maintenance?
Weekly testing by building staff and periodic professional servicing/maintenance are complementary, not interchangeable. Weekly tests confirm that the system is broadly operational; professional servicing provides a thorough inspection of all devices, wiring, batteries, and panel functions. Both are required to fulfil your obligations under BS 5839-1 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.
Need Help With Fire Alarm Compliance?
We provide maintenance and servicing contracts for commercial premises across Burnley, Lancashire, and the North West. Get in touch to discuss your testing and maintenance requirements.