Fire alarm servicing checklist
What a competent contractor must inspect and test at each six-monthly service visit, what a thorough service report should contain, and how to assess whether your contractor is doing the job properly.
Six-monthly servicing by a competent contractor is a core requirement of BS 5839-1. The service visit is not just a visual inspection — it involves functional testing of every device, verification of circuit integrity, battery testing, and a formal written report. A service visit that takes 30 minutes and produces a single-page certificate is unlikely to have covered everything the standard requires.
BS 5839-1 Six-Monthly Service Requirements
BS 5839-1 Clause 45 sets out detailed requirements for periodic inspection and testing. The six-monthly service is the minimum frequency for most non-domestic systems and must cover all of the following:
| Area | What must be checked or tested |
|---|---|
| Control panel | Visual inspection for damage; all indicators functioning; all controls operational; event log reviewed; software version checked if applicable |
| Automatic detectors | A sample of detectors functionally tested (every detector tested at least annually); checked for contamination, damage, or obstruction; sensitivity checked where test facilities permit |
| Manual call points | All call points functionally tested; glass elements checked; mounting height and position verified; test key operation confirmed |
| Sounders and visual alarm devices | All sounders functionally tested; sound levels spot-checked; visual alarm devices (VADs) checked where fitted |
| Standby battery | Battery condition tested — impedance test or discharge test; battery age noted; replacement recommended if approaching end of service life |
| Mains supply | Mains supply confirmed as dedicated and permanently live; supply voltage verified |
| Wiring and connections | Accessible wiring inspected for damage; all accessible connections checked for security; end-of-line resistors checked |
| Zone plan and documentation | Zone plan checked for accuracy and legibility; log book reviewed; previous service report deficiencies checked |
| ARC connection (if monitored) | ARC signal transmission tested; correct site details verified with ARC; response protocol confirmed |
| Ancillary devices | Door release units, lift recall, ventilation shutdown, and other ancillary outputs functionally tested |
The service report
What a Good Service Report Should Contain
On completion of each service visit, the contractor must issue a written service report. This report is a formal document that forms part of the fire alarm maintenance record and may be requested by enforcing authorities, insurers, and auditors. A thorough service report should include:
- Date of visit, name of engineer, and BAFE or equivalent certification reference
- Site name and address, panel type and serial number, and system category
- Details of all devices tested, including device addresses on addressable systems
- Results of battery test with battery age and condition assessment
- Any faults found, devices replaced, or repairs carried out during the visit
- Any deficiencies identified that require follow-up action, with recommendations
- Confirmation that the system was left in normal working condition at the end of the visit
- Engineer’s signature and date
A Short Visit Means an Incomplete Service
Functionally testing every manual call point, a sample of detectors, all sounders, and the battery — plus inspecting wiring, the zone plan, and all ancillary outputs — takes time. In a medium-sized building, a thorough six-monthly service should take two to four hours. A visit that concludes in under an hour has almost certainly not covered everything the standard requires. If your contractor’s visits seem unusually brief, ask for a copy of the service report and check which items were actually tested.
Deficiencies and follow-up
What Happens When Deficiencies Are Found
A service visit frequently identifies minor issues — a detector with borderline sensitivity, a sounder with reduced output, a call point with a damaged glass element. These should be recorded in the service report with a clear recommendation for action and a timescale. The building owner or facilities manager is then responsible for authorising the necessary remedial work.
BS 5839-1 categorises deficiencies by urgency. Category 1 deficiencies — those representing an immediate risk to life safety — should be rectified immediately or the system should be taken out of service and alternative means of raising the alarm provided until the fault is fixed. Category 2 deficiencies should be rectified within 30 days. Category 3 deficiencies are advisory items to be addressed at the next service visit.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily at every visit — BS 5839-1 requires that a sample of detectors is functionally tested at each six-monthly service, with every detector tested at least once per year (i.e. at one of the two annual service visits). For smaller systems, testing all detectors at every visit is straightforward. For larger systems, a planned rotation ensures full coverage annually. The service report should record which detectors were tested.
Ask the contractor to clarify which items from the BS 5839-1 service checklist were covered and request more detailed records. If the contractor cannot provide evidence that all required items were inspected and tested, the service may not meet the standard’s requirements. In that case, consider whether you need a different contractor. A fire alarm service that does not meet BS 5839-1 requirements provides you with no assurance about the system’s condition and leaves you exposed should an incident occur.
BS 5839-1 requires servicing by a competent person — someone with the training, experience, equipment, and knowledge to carry out all the required tests correctly. For most building owners and facilities managers, this means appointing a specialist contractor. Self-servicing by unqualified persons is unlikely to meet the standard’s requirements, will not produce the required service documentation, and may invalidate your insurance. The cost of professional servicing is modest relative to the total fire alarm budget and the consequences of a failed system.