Fire Safety Regulations Guide

Installation, Testing and Maintenance

New fire precautions should be installed by a competent person.

You must keep any existing equipment, devices or facilities that are provided in your premises for the safety of people, such as fire alarms, fire extinguishers, lighting, signs, fire exits and fire oors, in effective working order and maintain fire separating elements and the prevention of smoke into escape routes.

You must ensure regular checks, periodic servicing and maintenance are carried out whatever the size of your premises and any defects are put right as quickly as possible.

You, or a person you have nominated, can carry out certain checks and routine maintenance work. Further maintenance may need to be carried out by a competent service engineer. Where contractors are used, third party certification is one method where a reasonable assurance of quality of work and competence can be achieved

Daily Checks

Remove bolts, padlocks and security devices from fire exits, ensure that doors on escape routes swing freely and close fully and check escape routes to ensure they are clear from obstructions and combustible materials. Check the fire alarm panel to ensure the system is active and fully operational. Where practicable, visually check that emergency lighting units are in good repair and working. Check that all safety signs and notices are legible

Weekly Tests and Checks

Test fire-detection and warning systems and manually-operated warning devices weekly following the manufacturer's or installer's instructions. Check the batteries of safety torches and that fire extinguishers and hose reels are correctly located and in apparent working order. Fire pumps and standby diesel engines should be tested for 30 minutes each week.

Monthly Tests and Checks

Test all emergency lighting systems and safety torches to make sure they have enough charge and illumination according to the manufacturer's or supplier's instructions. This should be at an appropriate time when, following the test, they will not be immediately required.

Check that fire doors are in good working order and closing correctly and that the frames and seals are intact.

Six-monthly Tests and Checks

A competent person should test and maintain the fire-detection and warning system.

Annual Tests and Checks

The emergency lighting and all firefighting equipment, fire alarms and other installed systems should be tested and maintained by a competent person.

All structural fire protection and elements of fire compartmentation should be inspected and any remedial action carried out.

Checklist

• Do you regularly check all fire doors and escape routes and associated lighting and signs?
• Do you regularly check all your firefighting equipment?
• Do you regularly check your fire-detection and alarm equipment?
• Are those who test and maintain the equipment competent to do so?
• Do you keep a log book to record tests and maintenance?

Step 3 Checklist

Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risks by:

• Evaluating the risk to people in your building if a fire starts
• Removing or reducing the hazards that might cause a fire

Have you:

• Removed or reduced sources of ignition?
• Removed or reduced sources of fuel?
• Removed or reduced sources of air or oxygen?

Have you removed or reduced the risks to people if a fire occurs by:

• Considering the need for fire detection and for warning?
• Considering the need for firefighting equipment?
• Determining whether your escape routes are adequate?
• Determining whether your lighting and emergency lighting are adequate?
• Checking that you have adequate signs and notices?
• Regularly testing and maintaining safety equipment?
• Considering whether you need any other equipment or facilities?