As a business owner, you are responsible for the safety of your employees and customers. One important element of safety that is often overlooked is fire-system maintenance. By neglecting this crucial step, you put yourself and others at risk. This quick guide will provide you with everything you need to know about looking after your fire system to keep your business safe.
When your fire-protection systems are well-maintained, it ensures the majority of fires are preventable. That means conducting regular maintenance of those systems. It’s always a good idea to have your fire protection systems installed by a professional, but that’s only half the battle.
Maintenance is critical, from both a legal perspective and the fact that a false fire alarm will disrupt the workflow of your business. Regular checks and servicing mean a more proactive approach to fire safety.
Why Is Fire System Maintenance Important?
Fire-system maintenance is critical for fire safety. All fire systems need to be regularly inspected and tested to ensure they are in working order. Without fire-system maintenance, fire safety risks increase. Fire systems that are not properly maintained can fail when they are needed most, leading to disastrous consequences.
That’s why it is so important to have a reliable fire system maintenance plan in place. Having a plan and sticking to it ensures your fire system is always ready to do its job.
If your fire system is damaged or broken, the consequences can be extremely serious. With poorly-maintained fire-protection systems, you could face the following issues.
Your Insurance May be Invalid
Your insurance may be invalidated if you do not maintain your fire systems. This is because fire insurance policies typically have a fire-system maintenance clause, which states the policy is only valid if the fire systems are properly maintained. If there is a fire at your property and your fire systems were not properly maintained, the insurance company may refuse to pay out on the policy.
You may also be liable for any damage caused by the fire, as well as any injuries that occur. As a result, it is essential to ensure that your fire system is regularly serviced and maintained, and that you carry out regular fire risk assessments.
Closing Your Business Permanently
Fire incidents can also lead to the permanent closure of your businesses. This is because fire incidents often result in the loss of business records and other important documentation. Fire incidents can also cause customers to lose confidence in a business and even tarnish brand reputation. That can lead to a decline in sales and, ultimately, the closure of your business.
False Alarms
One of the biggest problems when you ignore system maintenance is unnecessary callouts to your fire brigade. False alarms can be a nuisance for both the fire brigade and your neighbours. It’s estimated that there’s a false alarm to the fire services in the UK every two minutes, which costs the UK economy around £1 billion a year. More importantly, wasting the time of the fire and rescue services can cost lives.
A well-maintained fire alarm system will be more effective at detecting a fire in its early stages, giving you a better chance of safely evacuating the premises. Regular fire-system maintenance is therefore essential for ensuring the safety of your premises and minimising unnecessary callouts to the fire brigade.
Fire System Testing and UK Law
Fire alarm testing is a legal requirement in the UK, and there are a number of regulations that govern fire safety in businesses and other commercial premises. The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) requires employers to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of their employees, and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, 2005 imposes fire-safety obligations on landlords, owners and managers of commercial premises.
One of the key requirements is to ensure that fire alarm systems are regularly tested and maintained in good working order. This not only helps to protect employees and customers but also ensures that businesses can comply with fire safety regulations. Regular fire alarm testing is an essential part of fire safety management, and businesses should put in place a suitable testing process to ensure compliance with the law.
The Process of Fire System Maintenance
Fire-system maintenance is vital to ensuring fire safety in any commercial or public building. The fire-system maintenance process involves several steps to ensure that all parts of the fire system are in good working condition, including:
- Checking that the standby batteries on smoke alarms are operational.
- Identifying any fire safety areas that need repair or replacement.
- Once all repairs have been made, a certificate of compliance is issued to prove that the fire system meets all regulatory requirements.
- Results of all fire-system tests must be recorded to ensure that the building meets fire-safety standards.
By following these steps, fire-system maintenance will help keep people safe in the event of a fire.
How Often Should Fire Alarm Systems Be Inspected?
In the UK, fire alarm systems must be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure fire safety. The frequency of inspections depends on the type of fire alarm system. Some hard-wired fire alarm systems need to be inspected monthly, while wireless systems may only need to be checked every three months. During an inspection, a qualified technician will test all components of the system to ensure they are working properly.
They will also check for any signs of wear and tear and ensure the system is compliant with all fire-safety regulations. By having your fire alarm system regularly inspected, you can help to ensure the safety of your business.
Who Can Test Fire Systems?
According to British Standard 5839, all fire alarm detectors, call points, panels and circuits must be tested by a competent person every six months. This person must have specialist knowledge of fire alarm systems and smoke detectors to carry out the tests effectively. In addition to the regular six-monthly testing, it is also important to carry out an annual service of the fire alarm system by a qualified engineer.
This will ensure that all components are in good condition and the system can operate effectively in the event of a fire. If you are responsible for fire safety in a commercial or public building, you must ensure the fire alarm system is regularly tested and serviced. Doing so can help protect people from the dangers of fire and ensure the fire alarm system is there to warn them if a fire does break out.
Protect Your Business from Fire Risks
Have you ever carried out a fire-safety system maintenance check? If not, it might be time to consider scheduling one. A professional maintenance check will ensure your systems are up-to-date and compliant with all the necessary safety regulations. Not only is this important for keeping your employees safe, but it can also help keep your business from being fined or shut down in the event of an emergency.
We are a leading Fire and Security company in London. Get in touch today to speak with our experts about getting your fire-system maintenance check scheduled — we’d be happy to help! You can even claim a 100% free site survey, so you know what you need to do to protect your business.