A Guide to Fire Alarm Service and Maintenance Requirements

1
A Guide to Fire Alarm Service and Maintenance
Requirements
2
Guide To Service And Maintenance Requirements

• This presentation covers
• Current legislation
• What you should expect from a qualified service
  person/ organisation
• Identification of the documentation that should
  be maintained by the responsible owner-occupier.

3
Agenda

• Why correct servicing of your fire alarm system
  is important
• Your responsibilities as owner-occupier or
  service provider
• What the code of practice BS 5839-12002
  recommends
• How do we recognise who is competent?

4
Why Is It Necessary ?
5
Why Is It Necessary ?

• Avoid financial losses and a coroners inquest
• Ensure your current fire alarm system meets
  todays standards, regulations and legislation
• Ensure you have the right documentation to
  satisfy the courts
• Reassurance that you meet demand of new
  legislation (RRO)
• Avoid prosecution and penalties for
  non-compliance

6
Who Is Responsible ?

• The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order - (RRO)
  (paragraph 3) defines the responsible person
  as
• In relation to a workplace, the employer if the
  workplace is to any extent under his control
• In relation to any other premises the person
  who has control of the premises (as occupier or
  otherwise) in connection with the carrying on by
  him of a trade, business or other undertaking
  (for profit or not) or the owner, where the
  person in control of the premises does not have
  control in connection with the carrying on by
  that person of a trade, business or other
  undertaking.

7
Responsibilities Of The Owner-Occupier

• Carry out and record a Fire Risk Assessment.
• Adequate level of protection from your fire alarm
  system
• (L1-L5 or M)
• Adequate means of escape
• Correct signage
• Sufficient fire fighting equipment
• An Emergency plan and all occupants are aware of
  what to do.

8
Responsibilities Of The Owner-Occupier

• Ensure you have a full set of documentation.
• Keep these documents - particularly the log book
  - up to date.
• Appoint a responsible person to
• Check system is operating on a daily basis.
• Carryout and record weekly tests.
• Maintain the building records and fire log book.
• Appoint a service organisation, which is
  competent
• accredited to BAFE SP203.

9
Responsibilities Of Appointed service provider

• Carry out the all service checks described within
  BS5839-12002
• Ensure that faults are attended to as and when
  required
• Advise the End User of any necessary alterations
  due to changes within the building or its use
• Maintain the log book and system drawings
• Ensure the End User is carrying out their role
• as defined within BS5839 12002
• Complete all relevant documentation including
• Maintenance any System Modification
  Certificates

10
BS 5839 2002 PT1 Recommendation For Routine Test
service

• Routine testing by the user
• Daily - Check that the fire panel is fault free
• Weekly - Test system from a different call point
  keep record of which one tested in the fire log
  book.
• Log book records to include
• Name of responsible person
• Maintenance agreements with point of contact
• Dates and times of signals albeit fire or fault
• Causes of false alarms (if applicable)
• Dates and times of all tests, faults and defects
• Dates and types of maintenance
• Quarterly or Six Monthly inspections

11
BS 5839 Recommendation For Annual Test Service

• Inspection Servicing by a competent service
  provider either two or four times a year (subject
  to risk assessment).
• Test every manual call point and or a zone each
  visit
• Test all types of detectors, smoke heat
• Inspect every detector for damage and
  obstructions
• Check analogue values of all sensors for
  contamination
• Check the products of combustion can reach the
  sensing elements of the detector
• Test the battery for condition and correct stand
  by period
• Check that the zone plan is accurate
• Check that the system conforms to the design i.e.
  L1 L5, M

12
BS 5839 Recommendation For Annual Test Service

• Alarm functions and visual indicators on control
  panels
• Operation of remote signalling to the ARC for
  fire and fault
• Printers are working if connected
• Cause and effect doors close or release, lifts
  drop, gas shutdown etc
• Investigate any reported false alarms in the log
  book and correct as necessary
• Issue a service certificate
• Complete the fire alarm log book
• Report any defects to the responsible user

13
Guide to causes of false alarms and the correct
detector type
Dust Aerosol Steam Insects Cigarette Smoke Cooking Fumes Welding
HEAT
IONISATION
OPTICAL
CO
OPTICAL/HEAT
OPT/HEAT/INFRA RED
OPT/HEAT/INFRA RED CO
Probable Alarm Possible Alarm Unlikely Alarm
14
Measuring Competency

• Competency and how do we measure or recognise it
  ?
• The BAFE SP203 scheme provides the end user with
  the assurance that the fire alarm company
  installing or servicing their fire alarm system
  is competent.
• Under the BAFE scheme the fire alarm company has
  regular inspections by a third party qualified
  UKAS inspector on the following
• The FA company has the necessary trained staff
  and resources.
• The FA company designs fire alarm systems in
  accordance to BS5839 2002
• The FA company installs fire alarm systems in
  accordance to BS5839 2002
• The FA company commissions fire alarm systems in
  accordance to BS5839 2002
• The FA company services fire alarm systems in
  accordance to BS5839 2002
• The FA company provides a 24 hour emergency call
  out services in accordance to BS5839 2002

15
Any Questions ?