The Importance of Regular Maintenance of your Fire Alarm System

Maintaining systems regularly is important to ensure that they are all in good working order. This is particularly important when it comes to your fire detection system, as making sure that this is in good working order can literally be a matter of life and death!

Building a fire safety plan

In a workplace, it is essential to have a plan in case of a fire, and that every employee knows what to do in the event of a fire breaking out. A professional like this fire risk assessment Bristol based company keloscape.co.uk/areas-we-cover/fire-safety-consultancy-bristol will be able to help you with this, and work with you to create a plan to reduce the risk of fire in your workplace.

Included in a fire safety plan should be a maintenance plan that will ensure all of your systems are working and doing what they should be. It depends on the size of your premises and the nature of your business as to how much maintenance will be required and how much is put in place to protect against fire.

Why fire drills matter

Something that most people will be familiar with is a fire drill. This is an example of good fire alarm maintenance and should be conducted regularly to ensure not only that the alarms are working as they should be, but also that everyone on the premises is aware of what they need to do in the event of hearing the fire alarm going off.

Another part of the maintenance of your fire safety system is making sure that all the things that can be used to put out a fire – such as fire extinguishers and fire blankets are all able to do their job properly. Fire extinguishers tend to have an expiry date which can vary depending on the type of extinguisher, and these will need to be replaced before they do.

Checking extinguishers and equipment

Getting the equipment checked regularly is the best way to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out and to ensure that all the people who are on the premises know what to do. Having a fire officer who is an employee is also a good idea, as they will take charge of getting people out and also be able to run through all the names to make sure that everyone is accounted for when they are assembled outside.

Fire safety law and newer suppression options

Fire safety and prevention law means almost every UK business now needs a fire risk assessment, which shows where the risks are and how to protect premises and people. Many businesses are also legally required to install and maintain a suitable fire alarm system, approved by the local fire officer and their insurer.

Older buildings need particular care. New homes are built with smoke and fire alarms as standard, but refurbishing older properties, especially listed buildings, can make installing systems harder, and solutions are worth finding because many are part of our heritage.

Newer technology helps. Watermist systems are designed as an easier to retrofit, more affordable alternative to traditional sprinklers. A high-pressure pump produces a fine mist that suppresses a fire quickly without damaging fixtures and fittings, and it can help with compliance with building regulations and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. Alongside tried and tested equipment such as fire doors, seals and extinguishers, it adds another layer of protection.

Summary

Keeping a fire detection system properly maintained is essential, since it can genuinely be a matter of life and death in the workplace. A good fire safety plan should include a maintenance schedule tailored to the business, alongside regular fire drills so staff know exactly what to do. Extinguishers and fire blankets also need checking regularly, since they have expiry dates, and a designated fire officer helps ensure everyone is accounted for.

Questions this article raises

• How often should a workplace fire drill be held?
• What’s the typical expiry period for a fire extinguisher?
• Who should be responsible for fire safety in a small business?