Why you should regularly test and service your fire alarm system

Fire alarms are specifically designed to protect your home or business premises from the dangers of fire and smoke. They play such an important role in the protection of life and property that you should never neglect their maintenance. You cannot rely on a fire alarm if they are not regularly inspected and serviced. This is something that needs to be done by professionals and is especially important for landlords and business owners to have done so that they conform to current fire safety  legislation.

 

Compliance and statutory legislation

 

Testing your fire alarm system on a regular basis will ensure that you meet with all current Fire Safety Legislation in the UK.

 

Although it can seem like a chore to read through all of the UK's current fire safety laws, you need to remember that these rules are set for a reason and that is to protect the property from the risks of fire, but also the health and safety of the people within the building.

 

There is no doubt that fire alarms help to save lives, so failing to regularly test, service and maintain your fire alarms could be putting peoples lives at risk. Ignoring your fire safety duties could end up placing you in breach of fire safety laws that can lead to hefty fines for minor offences and even a criminal offence if the fire safety breach puts one or more persons at risk of serious injury or death in case of fire.

 

The Regulatory Reform Order

 

All of the current fire safety legislation in England and Wales is covered under ‘The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005’. This legislation spells out the legal requirements that are needed to be met by all non-domestic premises.

 

With an average of 20,000 commercial fires occurring each year in the UK, it is in the best interests of business owners to ensure that they have a designated ‘Responsible Person’ whose job it is to ensure all possible steps are taken to prevent fires and to prevent injury or death should a fire actually break out. The responsible person will perform regular duties relating to fire safety within the building and this should include the regular servicing and maintenance of the fire alarm system. Usually this task is booked out to be done by a professional alarm maintenance company.

 

Fire Risk Assessment

 

As part of your business fire risk assessment you will be required to assess the suitability of your fire alarm system. Should you be in any doubt about the suitability of your fire alarm set up and whether it meets the needs of your business, then it would be wise to call in a professional fire alarm company to conduct and inspection for you. This is especially important if you are taking over a new premises where there is an existing fire alarm system already in place. The existing system may not be suitable for your needs, or if the premises has been left standing empty for a while, your alarm system could be overdue a thorough test and service. for more info visit website.