Fire Alarm testing

[pete.l]

Anyone any ideas on fire alarm testing? I have recently been asked to do anual test for several fire alarm systems, I have installed several but have always had the makers test and commission.

 

[Steve1412]

If its anything like the guys who test my systems they go round and test all break glasses, can of smoke for whatever smokeheads they can easily reach and listen to the sounders and load test battery...wham bham thank you mister!!

 

[sparks1234]

If only it were that easy, don't forget who is taking responsibility for this when you sign the cert

 

[gaffer]

Yea, IMO stay well clear and get the customer to get a specialist company in.I looked into this myself and the liability was SCARY!

 

[gunner]

do you carry out a weekly test using a different call point

 

[Steve1412]

WE have Fire risk assessment files on all sites. There is an appointed person who carries out a test point every week and a mock fire drill every month. All are recorded in the fire register along with inspection/tests faults repairs etc. Although my previous reply was a litttle flippant that is all alarm contractors do test wise. All call points and a percentage of sensor heads etc. H&S is my middle name

 

[Cerb NI]

WE have Fire risk assessment files on all sites. There is an appointed person who carries out a test point every week and a mock fire drill every month. All are recorded in the fire register along with inspection/tests faults repairs etc. Although my previous reply was a litttle flippant that is all alarm contractors do test wise. All call points and a percentage of sensor heads etc. H&S is my middle name

All MCP's are not necessary - if you are doing quarterly visits then 25% of all heads and MCP's so that 100% are done over the 12 month period.Doing one visit of 100% and then a six monthly visit testing one device on each circuit is acceptible (but a little unusual!) to make sure that the CIE is operating correctly,along with ancillary/auxillary connections - better splitting them over 2 or 4 visits imo!
However,basic testing is pretty much as described - don't spray the gas straight into the detector though,you need to use the proper dispenser.

 

[cfsfire]

To correctly maintain fire alarm systems BS5839 states that you must be compotent (you hold certification and enough experience) you must all offer 24hour call out 365 days a year. If they have a fault 3am and you cannont get to them untill 10am the next morning you as the maintenance company have left a client without fire cover for 7 hours.

Something happens and the finger will get pointed. There are alot of good course if you want your ticket.

But remember you have to prove that you are 100% compotent in what you sign for, legal action does happen see here Industry News

 

[Cerb NI]

To correctly maintain fire alarm systems BS5839 states that you must be compotent (you hold certification and enough experience) you must all offer 24hour call out 365 days a year. If they have a fault 3am and you cannont get to them untill 10am the next morning you as the maintenance company have left a client without fire cover for 7 hours.

Something happens and the finger will get pointed. There are alot of good course if you want your ticket.

But remember you have to prove that you are 100% compotent in what you sign for, legal action does happen see here Industry News

You don't actually have to hold certification to comply with Section 6 (although it does say that competancy can be assured through using third party accredited companies) but you must be properly trained (which should be recorded somewhere within your organization) and tooled up -

[FONT=CenturySchoolbook,Bold][FONT=CenturySchoolbook,Bold]

competent person
​

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"person with the necessary training and experience, and with access to the requisite tools, equipment and information, and capable of carrying out a defined task"

In relation to the on call,an agreement should be in place for 24 hour contact but the response time is within 8 hours​

 

[cfsfire]

Your very correct about the competent person but if it went to court in house training or reading the manual is not enough to be deemed as competent.

Every part BS5839 you do not need to hold certification but again BS uses the competent person text. If you did have to go to court it is very difficult to prove experience to people who know nothing about fire alarms without any paperwork.

Sorry my mistake about the call out your quite right, always provided 24hour call out and forget it is ok for contact only. However if you start maintaing systems in high risk properties such as hosptials and care homes some expect a minimum 1 - 2 hour response out of hours.

 

[Cerb NI]

Your very correct about the competent person but if it went to court in house training or reading the manual is not enough to be deemed as competent.

Every part BS5839 you do not need to hold certification but again BS uses the competent person text. If you did have to go to court it is very difficult to prove experience to people who know nothing about fire alarms without any paperwork.

Sorry my mistake about the call out your quite right, always provided 24hour call out and forget it is ok for contact only. However if you start maintaing systems in high risk properties such as hosptials and care homes some expect a minimum 1 - 2 hour response out of hours.

..and there are plenty of people with the paperwork who know nothing fire alarms!
Documented training is acceptable if it is comprehensive and it can be shown that the trainer is proficient - you don't have to pay Mr Todd all that money for his courses!
We looked at SP203 (had the guy give us the whole sel on it) and decided that ISO held more weight for where our target customers were - it was just one more paper trail that we could do without as well as the yearly expense).
Yup,specific minimum response times for specific customers per their agreement (within 4 hours with an aim of within 2 is normal and realistic) but if bells are ringing or the system won't reset on any contract then I'm not going to push the 8 hour down their throat!!