Fire alarm servicing and maintenance for existing systems
Periodic inspection, testing, servicing and repair of fire alarm systems, and consideration of taking over maintenance from another provider. For businesses, landlords, managing agents and facilities managers.
What servicing and maintenance involves
A fire alarm system needs to be looked after. Detectors age, batteries degrade, buildings are altered, and faults can develop without anyone noticing. Servicing is a planned visit to inspect and test the system. Maintenance also covers repairs, replacement of faulty devices and keeping the records up to date.
For non-domestic premises, BS 5839-1 (current edition BS 5839-1:2025) includes recommendations for the periodic inspection and servicing of systems, and for the records that should be kept. It recommends visits at intervals of approximately six months, with every device tested at least once over the course of a year. The responsible person for the premises remains responsible for ensuring the system is maintained. We can carry out the technical work and give you the records.
A typical service visit may include:
- Reviewing the log book, faults and false alarm history since the last visit
- Checking the control panel, indications and standby batteries
- Testing a proportion of devices at each visit, so that every device is tested over the course of the year
- Checking the audibility of the alarm and the operation of any links to other systems
- Checking for changes to the building that may affect detection
- Recording defects, recommendations and the results of the visit
Fire alarm testing: what is what
The phrase “fire alarm testing” is used for several different things:
- Routine user checks. A short check carried out by someone at the premises, typically weekly by operating one manual call point (a different one each week) and recording it in the log book. It confirms the system is working at a basic level.
- Servicing. A planned inspection and test by a competent engineer at agreed intervals.
- Commissioning. The one-off testing and verification when a system is new or significantly altered. See commissioning.
Taking over maintenance from another provider
We will also consider taking over maintenance of existing systems following an initial assessment of their condition, equipment, documentation and maintainability. Any initial remedials, exclusions, servicing arrangements and commencement date are agreed with the customer. We do not promise an uninterrupted handover until the arrangements have been confirmed. Wireless and hybrid fire alarm systems are outside our service, so we do not take on their maintenance.
Send us what you have
Log book, certificates, drawings or zone charts, recent service reports and the panel make and model.
Survey
We inspect the system on site and note its condition, any faults and any deviations from the original design.
Findings
We tell you what we found, whether we can take the system on and what, if anything, needs to be put right first.
Agreement and start date
You receive a maintenance quotation. Any initial remedials, exclusions, servicing arrangements and the commencement date are agreed with you in writing. Until they are confirmed, keep your existing arrangements in place, as we cannot promise an uninterrupted handover.
Our guide changing fire alarm maintenance provider sets this out in more detail.
Who it is for
- Businesses with an existing fire alarm system in offices, shops, warehouses and industrial premises
- Schools and community buildings
- Landlords and managing agents responsible for commercial units or the communal areas of residential buildings
- Facilities managers who want a single point of contact for a portfolio of sites
What a particular building needs depends on its use, fire strategy, risk assessment and the requirements that apply to it. We do not assume one servicing arrangement suits every property.
What information we need
- Site postcode and type of premises
- Panel make and model, if you know it
- The log book and most recent service report
- Current certificates and any outstanding defects
- Your current service interval and provider, if any
- Any insurer or licensing requirement for servicing
Documentation you should expect
- A service report after each visit, listing what was inspected and tested
- An inspection and servicing certificate in the form recommended by BS 5839-1, where the work is carried out under that standard
- A record of defects and recommendations, with priorities
- Reports and supporting documentation for our scope of responsibility, recording results, variations, limitations and outstanding issues
- Updated log book entries
Next step
Tell us about the system and the building, and we will come back with questions or a proposal for a survey.
Request a Maintenance Quotation
Other fire alarm services
Fire Alarm Design
A written specification and drawings for a new, replacement or extended system, based on your building, its use and your fire strategy.
Read more →Fire Alarm Installation
Installation of a designed system, including cabling, devices and the control panel, planned around how your building is used.
Read more →Fire Alarm Commissioning
Programming, testing and verifying that the installed system works as designed, with handover documentation.
Read more →Areas we cover
Fire alarm enquiries are handled across the areas Omni3 currently serves. Choose your area for local detail.
Common questions
How often should a fire alarm be serviced?
For non-domestic systems, BS 5839-1:2025 recommends inspection and servicing at intervals of approximately six months, with every device tested at least once over the course of a year. The arrangement that is right for your premises also depends on the system, how it was designed, your fire risk assessment, your insurer and any licensing conditions, and any departure from the standard's recommendations should be agreed and recorded. We confirm the arrangement at survey instead of assuming one.
What is the difference between fire alarm testing by us and by my staff?
Routine user checks, such as a weekly test of one manual call point and a note in the log book, are carried out by someone at the premises. A professional service visit is an inspection and test by a competent engineer, covering the panel, a proportion of devices, batteries, records and any defects. Neither replaces the other.
Can you take over maintenance of a system installed by someone else?
We will consider it. We start with an initial assessment of the system's condition, equipment, documentation and maintainability. Any initial remedials, exclusions, servicing arrangements and the start date are agreed with you, and we do not promise an uninterrupted handover until those arrangements are confirmed. Wireless and hybrid fire alarm systems are outside our service, so we do not take on their maintenance. Some control panels need manufacturer-specific tools or access codes, and we will tell you if that affects what we can do.
Do you offer emergency callouts or guaranteed response times?
Not as part of this service at present. We can discuss how faults are reported and handled when you request a quotation.
My system keeps giving false alarms. Can you help?
We can inspect the system, review the fault and alarm history and advise what may need to change. Causes vary, from the location and type of detector to dust, cooking, steam and building works, so we investigate before recommending anything.
Tell us about your premises
Give us a few details and we will come back to you. The more we know about the building and any existing system, the more useful our first reply will be.
- Telephone: 01798 263333
- Email: [email protected]
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