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Weekly Fire Alarm Testing in Edinburgh

Stay compliant with British Standard BS 5839, which orders weekly fire alarm tests for businesses across the UK, including Edinburgh and the Lothian. Regular tests guarantee your business's fire alarms are fully functional, preventing failures and ensuring readiness during emergencies.
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How Often Should Your Fire Alarm Be Tested?

Conduct weekly tests on your fire alarm system, as required by British Standard BS 5839-6:2019, to ensure your Edinburgh-based business meets safety standards. These checks help maintain effective operation and prompt fire detection.

Make sure you know where your alarm panel is located for efficient testing. Additionally, a professional fire alarm engineer should perform a comprehensive inspection bi-annually to confirm optimal functionality.

Trust Edinburgh’s fire safety experts at RACAM to safeguard your premises from fire risks.

Different Types of Fire Alarm Systems

Conventional Fire Alarm Systems:

Conventional fire alarm systems divide the building into fire alarm zones. Each zone has multiple detectors, and when one triggers, the specific fire alarm zone's information is displayed.

Addressable Fire Alarm Systems:

In addressable fire alarm systems, each detector has a unique address, which allows precise identification of the triggered device's location.

Wireless Fire Alarm Systems:

Wireless fire alarm systems operate without physical wiring, relying on radio signals to communicate between components.

How to Test Fire Alarm Systems

Manual Call Point Test:

Activate the call points to check if they trigger the alarm and signal the control panel.

Detector Test:

Verify individual detectors by generating smoke or heat near them to ensure they detect these elements and trigger the alarm.

Audible and Visual Alarm Test:

Test sirens, strobes, or other alarm signals to ensure they activate properly.

It’s important to test a different call point each time to ensure that your entire fire alarm system is functioning as it should be.

If you test these systems regularly and follow manufacturer guidelines and national standards, you take a proactive step towards ensuring they are ready to protect lives and property when needed. For detailed and accurate testing, consider RACAM’s professional fire alarm services to guarantee the reliability of your business’s fire systems.

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How Should My Weekly Fire Alarm Test Be Carried Out?

Carry out your fire alarm testing using these 10 easy steps:

Read Instructions: Always start by checking the manufacturer's guidelines for testing procedures.
Notify Staff: Inform your employees before conducting the test to avoid unnecessary concerns.
Scheduled Testing: Test your system at the same time every week for consistency.
ARC Connection: If your alarm connects to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), inform them before testing and put your system into test mode.
Prepare Your Reset Key: Always have a manual call point reset key on hand to reset your call point after testing.
Record Details: Keep a record of the test, noting which fire alarm zone and call point you tested.
Activate Call Point: Trigger a manual call point to set off your alarm.
Confirmation: Check the alarm sounds, then reset the call point using your reset key.
Control Panel Check: Confirm on the fire alarm control panel that the activated call point address and zone are accurate.
Silence and Reset: If everything is correct, silence the alarm and reset the fire alarm control panel.

Rotate testing between different call points each week to ensure your entire system is operational. Regular checks confirm that your fire alarm is able to warn and protect your business and occupants from fire threats. For comprehensive and expert testing, consider hiring Edinburgh’s finest fire alarm service professionals here at RACAM to maintain your fire alarm system’s reliability.

Ongoing Fire Alarm System Maintenance In Edinburgh

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Your designated fire safety professional (usually the property manager or fire warden) is legally responsible for the regular maintenance and service of your building's fire alarm system. To maintain system efficiency and longevity, you need to make sure a BAFE SP203-1 approved specialist carries out these duties. It is also smart to maintain a detailed logbook of weekly tests and service visits to keep a full record of your fire alarm maintenance.

Take the pressure away and rely on our certified Edinburgh fire experts to effectively manage your system and protect your property.

How should fire alarm testing be logged?

For a clear history of fire alarm system testing and maintenance, it’s ideal to keep a detailed logbook, which also aids in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures your system’s reliability. Here’s what you need to do to record your fire alarm testing:

Logbook: Keep a dedicated logbook for your fire alarm testing records to make sure you're compliant and your systems are reliable.
Details: Document the date, time, and specifics of each test, including the tested fire alarm zone or device.
Results: Log the outcome of each test, including activation status, issues found, and corrective actions taken.
Service Visits: Record details from professional service visits, including performed work and adjustments by experts like RACAM's fire security team.
Consistency: Update your logbook regularly after each test or service visit to keep your records up to date.

How to Minimise False Alarms

 

Automatic fire alarms are sensitive to various elements, such as steam, smoke, and aerosols, which can often lead to false alerts. These incidents can unnecessarily divert emergency services away from actual emergencies and compromise public safety. It’s crucial to address these triggers to maintain the integrity of fire safety responses. And here’s how to prevent or minimise false alarms.

To minimise false alarms:

Appropriate Alarm Type: Choose a fire alarm that matches your building's specific needs to reduce inappropriate triggers.
Regular Maintenance: Regularly clean and maintain your alarm system to ensure its reliability and effectiveness.
Thorough Investigation: Investigate and analyse every false alarm to determine what caused it and implement corrective actions.
Filtering Process: Establish a protocol to assess alarm triggers carefully before alerting Edinburgh's fire brigade, minimising unwarranted emergency responses.

It’s ideal to select the right fire alarm right from the start, perform diligent maintenance, investigate false alarms, and employ sensible filtering strategies. This can dramatically reduce the risk of false alarms, enhance the reliability of your fire alarm systems, and ensure the safety of both occupants and emergency responders in Edinburgh.

For expert advice on fire alarm systems and installations, contact our Edinburgh-based engineers today!

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Fire Alarm Testing FAQs

What is the legal requirement for fire alarm testing?
In the UK, fire alarm testing is a legal obligation under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The responsible person, like a building owner or manager, must ensure regular testing to ensure the alarm system is in proper working order, creating a safe environment for everyone inside the premises.
What is the procedure for fire alarm testing?
How much does it cost to test a fire alarm?
How often should smoke alarms be tested?

RACAM: Edinburgh’s Trusted Fire Safety Specialists

Ensure your fire alarm system meets all requirements, keeping your Edinburgh premises and staff safe and secure. Our trusted team of local experts is ready to provide you with our highly rated, professional fire safety services.

Don’t hesitate to contact us today for expert advice and reliable fire safety solutions custom-made for your business’s needs!

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Client Testimonials

Katie BellKatie Bell
21:24 08 Aug 23
Highly recommend contacting Andrea as a real professional who will understand client requirements and go the extra mile to ensure needs are met. 5 🌟
brian talentbrian talent
20:34 07 Aug 23
Very punctual and professional team
David EarleyDavid Earley
13:32 07 Aug 23
I wouldn't look anywhere else for my security needs. RACAM offer a professional and reliable service
Bill MuirBill Muir
12:01 07 Aug 23
First class company providing a 1st class service. They will cover call aspects of your security to give you total peace of mind. Give Andrea a call and she will put your mind at ease from the outset. I would totally recommend this company to all businesses and homes looking for the correct level of security.
Arthur BeverlyArthur Beverly
11:35 07 Aug 23
Hi. I’ve known Andrea for just under a year and in that time I’ve found her to diligent, hardworking and extremely knowledgeable about her work. Don’t be shy about contacting her. She’ll be delighted to help you as much as she can.
David BoughtonDavid Boughton
09:53 27 Jun 23
Engineer arrived on time and installed alarm system without problems and left my home clean and tidy . The office staff where very helpful from start to finish of the project.
George MonaghanGeorge Monaghan
09:18 20 Jun 23
Delighted to give Racam a 5 star review after all the work carried out at the home address in Wishaw. Cctv installation work was excellent and the monitoring system was fully explained to me. Highly recommended for all your security needs. Just first class.
War GravesWar Graves
17:27 17 Aug 22
An outstanding, professional and expert service from initial contact, through to survey, quotation and installation. RACAM supplied and installed a 5 MP set of CCTV cameras at my home to cover the exterior of the property and my cars. The price was good but that is not the only reason that I used them, it was their commitment, professional attitude and willingness to work to my timescale which was urgent. I'd not hesitate to recommend RACAM or to use them again. A definite FIVE STARS from this very satisfied customer.
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