British Standards stipulate that fire extinguishers must be serviced once per annum. It is also recommended that a visual check be carried out on each extinguisher each month to ensure they have not been tampered with.

Although this is not legally binding it is worth noting that insurances may be invalidated if you do not maintain your fire safety measures appropriately.

British Standards highly recommend that Fire Alarm systems should be serviced at least twice per annum. They should also be tested regularly to check for any faults that may be on the system and that everything is working correctly.

Although this is not legally binding it is worth noting that insurances may be invalidated if you do not maintain your fire safety measures appropriately.

When you try to reset the system, does it go off again immediately or is there a delay of a few seconds?
If it is immediate, then there is a call point (red box) that has had the glass broken. If there is a delay, then it is a detector as they take time after a reset to alarm again.

Once you have established that there is no fire, look at your Fire Alarm Control Panel and check which zone is showing red. Go to that zone and look at each detector, checking for a red light. If there is a red light on the detector itself then that is the one that has activated. If no red lights can be seen on a detector, then check the glasses on each of the manual break glass call points in that zone (red box). It's always recommended to gently run your fingers over the glass and check if if feels cracked or at an angle.

Resolutions:
i) If a detector has operated, then try to ventilate the room by opening a window and reset the alarm system.
ii) If the glass has been broken, then replace with a spare and reset the alarm system.
iii) If it's none of the above, call your fire protection company for further guidance.

Firstly, check the panel to see if there are any fault lights showing. This will give you an indication as to whether there are any issues with the panel. Depending on your system, it may also tell you the device location that may have caused the alarm to sound. If there is nothing showing, reset the panel.

If you can't reset the panel and it goes off again when you try, does it sound immediately or is there a delay of a few seconds? If your panel sounds immediately, it's an issue with a call point (red box) that has had the glass broken / been activated or has no electrical supply.

If there is a delay, it is a detector that has activated the alarm. Check areas where detectors are located for any possible causes of activation.

If you are still unable to reset your system, call your fire alarm company who will assist you accordingly.

The weekly fire alarm tests can be carried out by anyone in the building once the process has been demonstrated to them. It is best to have multiple people trained in how your fire alarm system works to cover for leave, sickness etc. Alternatively, you could ask your fire alarm company to do it for you.

In each weekly test you should activate at least one call point to check that the panel receives the signal and the alarm sounds.

A different call point should be tested each week.

Once the test has been completed, you re-set the panel using the appropriate method as shown in training.

Each weekly test should be recorded in your fire log book and the location of the tested call point must also be recorded.

The main reason for this is to ensure the system is working as it should and that it will work effectively. Fire alarms save lives. Fact! However, they are electrical systems which can develop faults and, like all electrical systems, each component has an estimated life span.

If your fire alarm develops a fault of any kind, it can prevent it from working effectively, causing false alarms. False alarms account for a large proportion of fire brigade call outs which are costly. Not only that, it could mean that the fire brigade are occupied when a real emergency arises.

Before buying any fire extinguisher you must check a few things. Will it have been commissioned and ready to use? Does it meet British Standard 5306? Does it come with any warranty at all?

When you purchase an extinguisher from us, we commission them so they are ready to use as soon as they're on your premises. We also make sure that they are in the best condition and have no manufacturing faults so that they meet the British Standard. And finally, all of our extinguishers come with a warranty and guaranteed quality. We've been in the industry a long time and only use the best and most trusted suppliers.

UK fire alarm regulations state that your fire alarm system must be 'adequately maintained'. However, British Standard 5839 recommends that a fire alarm system should be inspected by a competent person at least every 6 months. The government recommends following this standard.

Yes. All new work will be surveyed initially and a quotation provided, both on the electrical provision and extinguisher provision. Our surveys are free of charge with no obligation.