Your fire alarm should be tested every week. It’s a simple job, but it’s easy to forget, easy to do wrong, and easy to lose the records. We take it off your hands.
Our engineers carry out more than 10,000 weekly fire alarm tests a year for offices, shops, blocks of flats and care homes. We test a different call point each week, log every result, and tell you straight away if anything isn’t working.
Book weekly fire alarm testing or call 01748 811992.
How often should a fire alarm be tested?
In a business or the shared areas of a residential building, the fire alarm should be tested once a week. That’s the recommendation in BS 5839-1, the British Standard for fire alarm systems in non-domestic buildings, and it’s what fire authorities expect to see in your records.
On top of the weekly test, the system needs a full service by a competent engineer at least every six months. Weekly testing checks the alarm works; the six-monthly service checks the whole system, from detectors and batteries to the control panel.
| How often | What happens | Who does it |
|---|---|---|
| Every week | Fire alarm test: one manual call point activated, sounders checked, result logged | You, or us with this service |
| Every 6 months | Full service and inspection of the whole system | Competent engineer (fire alarm maintenance) |
| After any fault | Repair and retest | Competent engineer |
What does a weekly fire alarm test involve?
- Warn everyone first so nobody evacuates by mistake, and let your alarm receiving centre know if the system is monitored.
- Activate one manual call point using the test key, rotating to a different call point each week so every one is tested over time.
- Check the alarm sounds throughout the building and that the control panel shows the right zone.
- Reset the system and confirm the panel returns to normal.
- Record the test in the fire alarm logbook: date, time, call point used and any faults.
Fire alarm testing requirements: what the law says
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to keep fire safety systems maintained in working order. Following BS 5839-1, including weekly testing and keeping a logbook, is how you show you’ve done that. If a fire officer inspects your building, the logbook is one of the first things they’ll ask to see.
How our weekly fire alarm testing service works
- Same day, same time each week – agreed with you, so staff and residents know when to expect it
- Every call point covered – we rotate through them and keep track, so none are missed
- Logbook kept for you – every test recorded, ready for your fire risk assessor or a fire officer
- Faults flagged straight away – if something doesn’t work, you’ll hear from us the same day, with a fixed price to fix it
- Links to your six-monthly service – one team looks after your whole system
We can also test your emergency lighting on the same visit with our monthly emergency light testing service.
Why choose The Fire Safety Company?
- 10,000+ weekly fire alarm tests a year across 240+ buildings
- BAFE registered and NSI Gold approved for fire alarm maintenance
- 25+ years’ experience with businesses, landlords and care homes
- One less thing to remember – no missed weeks, no lost logbooks
Want your weekly fire alarm test handled?
Tell us about your building and we’ll send a fixed monthly price.
Get a quote or call 01748 811992
