How Often Should Fire Alarms Be Tested?

Do you need to be trained to test fire alarms? So what are the legal requirements for testing fire alarms? How often should fire alarms UK be tested? What types of fire alarm systems are there, and does that affect how often you need to test them?

We have your answers to all these questions and more here.

It’s a good question and one that many people might not even think to ask but should. Testing a fire alarm system is an important part of making sure it works in the event needed—and it can be done by anyone, as long as they’re trained.

What are the legal requirements for testing fire alarms?

There are two factors of legislation that require you to test your fire alarm system. These are:

– The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

– The British Standard on maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems (BS5839-6: 2013)

Both state that fire alarm systems should be tested regularly as a routine maintenance programme. They do not specify exactly how often this should be carried out but recommend testing every week.

So, when should fire alarms be tested?

Your fire alarm system must be tested once a week. The more frequently you test the system, the more likely you are to spot any problems with the system early on. This will help to ensure the safety of your building and its occupants in an emergency.

What are the different types of fire alarm systems?

Fire alarms can either be connected via wires or wireless signals. You must check which type of system you have to be tested correctly. For example, if your system has wires, you must disconnect them from the power source before testing it. There is no need for this step before testing if it’s wireless. This is because there are no legal requirements for testing fire alarms. Rather, there are legal requirements for installing and maintaining fire alarm systems. This means that testing should be part of the regular maintenance schedule.

However, in line with these maintenance schedules, fire alarm systems should be tested at least once per week. In some factors, it might be okay to increase the frequency of testing to suit the specific purpose of the building. For example, in a building where people are sleeping (like a residential home), weekly testing might not be sufficient—in which case it would be better to test the system every day to ensure an increased level of safety in case of an emergency.

How should the testing of the fire alarm system be carried out? 

Every day! Or every month, depending on what you’re testing. Fire alarms are an important part of any building’s safety system, and they’re designed to alert occupants when a fire breaks out so they can evacuate quickly. But if your alarm isn’t working properly, it might not be able to do its job, which could put lives in danger.

There are two different kinds of fire alarm systems: 

• wired and 
• Wireless

Wired systems are very common in older homes, while wireless systems are more common in newer homes or buildings that have been renovated. These systems often include smoke detectors, heat sensors and carbon monoxide detectors. In terms of legal requirements—at least those in the U.S.—there is no single standard for testing fire alarms; this will vary based on where you live or own property. Most codes require fire alarms to be tested at least once a year by a professional inspector, who can ensure everything from the wiring to the signal strength is operating properly. The truth is that there isn’t a straight answer to this question. It all depends on your specific situation and what regulations apply to you.

There are, somehow, a few general guidelines that can help you get started in figuring out how often your fire alarm system needs to be tested.

Legally, you should test your fire alarm system weekly. But most insurance companies require it to be tested monthly. So, if you want the best coverage and not get sued, we recommend you test your fire alarm system twice a month.

There are somehow two types of fire alarm systems: ones that are wired and ones that are wireless. In either case, testing is pretty easy—simply press the testing button on each device. Of course, you’ll have to take a ladder or some extra steps if the devices are mounted high on the wall or ceiling.

To test your fire alarms, you do not need any special training, but you might want to read up on your specific system’s manual before you start pushing buttons and accidentally set off an alarm that will cause many people to rush outside in their underwear.

You can carry out testing yourself or with a group of people who also want to get their hands on some fire alarm buttons.

To test or not to test, that is the question. When it comes to fire alarm testing, we recommend regularly setting a reminder in your calendar and starting testing. Many issues can arise from not testing your fire alarm system, from false alarms to missing out on more serious issues like damaged wiring.

Fire alarms are important for keeping our homes, schools, and offices safe. We all know what a fire alarm sounds like—and most of us have probably been woken up by one at 5 AM in the past.