From BS 5839-1:2002
Section 6 45.4 Recommendations for inspection and test of the system over a 12 month period
In addition to the work recommended in 45.3, it is recommended that the following work be carried out every year. NOTE 1 The work described may be carried out over the course of two or more service visits during each twelve month period.
a) The switch mechanism of every manual call point should be tested, either by removal of a frangible element, insertion of a test key or operation of the device as it would be operated in the event of fire.
b) All automatic fire detectors should be examined, as far as practicable, to ensure that they have not been damaged, painted, or otherwise adversely affected.
Thereafter, every detector should be functionally tested. The tests used need prove only that the detectors are connected to the system, are operational and are capable of responding to the phenomena they are designed to detect.
c) Every heat detector should be functionally tested by means of a suitable heat source, unless operation of the detector in this manner would then necessitate replacement of part or all of the sensing element (e.g. as in fusible link point detectors or non-integrating line detectors). Special test arrangements will be required for fusible link heat detectors. The heat source should not have the potential to ignite a fire; live flame should not be used, and special equipment might be necessary in explosive atmospheres.
d) Point smoke detectors should be functionally tested by a method that confirms that smoke can enter the detector chamber and produce a fire alarm signal (e.g. by use of apparatus that generates simulated smoke or suitable aerosols around the detector). It should be ensured that the material used does not cause damage to, or affect the subsequent performance of, the detector; the manufacturers guidance on suitable materials should be followed.
e) Optical beam smoke detectors should be functionally tested by introducing signal attenuation between the transmitter and receiver, either by use of an optical filter, smoke or simulated smoke.
f) Aspirating fire detection systems should be functionally tested as described in 45.4d), with each sampling point, or group of sampling points, in the pipework of the system treated as a point detector. Note that not all test products may be appropriate for the purpose.
g) Carbon monoxide fire detectors should be functionally tested by a method that confirms that carbon monoxide can enter the detector chamber and produce a fire alarm signal (e.g. by use of apparatus that generates carbon monoxide or a gas that has a similar effect on the electro-chemical cell as carbon monoxide). WARNING Carbon monoxide is a highly toxic gas, and suitable precautions should be taken in its use. NOTE 2 It should be ensured that any test gas used does not cause damage to, or affect the subsequent performance of, the detector; the manufacturers guidance on suitable test gases should be followed.
h) Flame detectors should be functionally tested by a method that confirms that the detector will respond to a suitable frequency of radiation and produce a fire alarm signal. The guidance of the manufacturer on testing of detectors should be followed.
i) In fire detection systems that enable analogue values to be determined at the control and indicating equipment, it should be confirmed that each analogue value is within the range specified by the manufacturer. j) Multi-sensor detectors should be operated by a method that confirms that products of combustion in the vicinity of the detector can reach the sensors and that a fire signal can be produced as appropriate.
