Fire alarm system testing

[Jel]

Hi i have been asked to test a fire alarm system.
Does anyone have any guidance on what tests need to be carried out?

 

[Bigboy247]

The electricians guide to the fire detection and alarm systems cheap and very useful. For more indepth look for the Bs Fire regs.

 

[Guest123]

I dont wish to sound condesending here but, if you arent sure of the techniques involved in testing a fire alarm system, how can you be sure of it's suitability for continued use.

A fire alarm is the last line of defence from death and/or destruction of life/property and it's your neck on the line should the worst happen and the alarm is was found to be faulty/unfit for purpose.

My advice would be to politely decline and advise your customer to use a specialist contractor.

 

[Nolnoc]

Are you testing the installation or the fire alarm system. Every device on the system needs to be tested.All smokes heats and callpoints.You will need a heatgun to test heats. The batteries will need to be tested,if they are not dated they will need to be replaced and dated. All IO's will need to be checked ie lift shutdowns,aov's that sort of stuff.Also a db test will need to be performed which is 65db in all areas and 75 at the bedhead.

I would agree with Lenny though if you are not sure don't take it on.
Sub in a fire alarm company through you.

 

[IQ Electrical]

Are you testing the installation or the fire alarm system. Every device on the system needs to be tested.All smokes heats and callpoints.You will need a heatgun to test heats. The batteries will need to be tested,if they are not dated they will need to be replaced and dated. All IO's will need to be checked ie lift shutdowns,aov's that sort of stuff.Also a db test will need to be performed which is 65db in all areas and 75 at the bedhead.

I would agree with Lenny though if you are not sure don't take it on.Sub in a fire alarm company through you.

Absolutely, read this:

Fire alarm contractor sentenced under Fire Safety Order
24 December 2010

In what is thought to be the first case of its kind, a fire system contractor has been convicted under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Christopher Morris, 56, of Llandudno, a former retained firefighter, appeared at Manchester Crown Court yesterday and was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £6,000 costs.

Last week at Trafford Magistrates Court, Mr Morris pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to maintain a fire detection and alarm system at a care home in Trafford, Greater Manchester, and failing to inform the owners of the deficiencies in the system.

Magistrates heard that enforcement officers commissioned a specialist examination of the fire alarm panel after a fire at the care home in May 2009. Among the deficiencies found were:

.A blown fuse overridden with a piece of wire
.An electronic component suspended between two terminal bocks instead of being attached to the circuit board
.An alarm silence/fault warning buzzer missing from the circuit board
.The fault warning light on the front face of the panel had been almost covered by paint
According to the prosecution, Christopher Morris, an electrician who had taken over the maintenance of the system in 2006, had issued several annual certificates of worthiness to the care home owner.

Deputy county fire officer, Jim Owen, said: "Whilst many owners have been prosecuted under the Fire Safety Order, this may be the first time a fire and rescue authority has prosecuted someone contracted by the owner of a property to maintain a fire alarm. Taking on such a contract extends the requirements of the Order to the fire alarm engineer. Anyone we find who doesn't carry out their work to recognised standards is a danger, and we won't hesitate to take action."

 

[Jel]

Right thanks for info guys.
So does anyone test fire alarm systems in north london?