Fire Alarm Servicing

[AnthonyB]

We all know that to meet the BS, fire alarm systems usually have 2 or 4 (or more) service visits a year, with various things being done each time.

However, other than not complying with BS guidance, is there any practical/technical problem if a site does all the various test & service requirements on the whole system & components, that have to take place in a 12 month period, in just 1 (long!) annual visit.

[Big_Fella]

This was the case prior to the BS being amended, that the system could be serviced just once per annum.  Then this was changed to say a minimum of twice per annum.

A lot of things can happen in 12 months, hence why I believe it was changed

[AnthonyB]

My understanding was that in the '88 standard you couldn't do one service - there was indeed a set of checks required only once a year, but also different checks every three months.

I thought the old annual only dated back to the days of CP 1019 and early fire certification

[Galeon]

I think it had to do with standby power supplies , and a second visit was need to specifically check these , and then it really needs the engineer to make a call on the age and integrity of the system .

[Wiz]

If we are talking about the service work that is to be carried out by a 'competent person' then, currently, there must be at least two services per annum because the BS recommends the period between successive service visits is six months. However, where the system contains vented batteries then it will be only three months, or except where the result of a risk assessment determines shorter service intervals are required, or except where the manufacturer of any particular piece of equipment recommends shorter service periods.

Because not everything on the system needs to be 'serviced' every visit then it means that each visit doesn't necessarily include exactly the same, or the same amount, of service work.

Indeed, some elements only need to be carried out only once annually. But nothing has a service interval of more than 12 months

Therefore each service can consist of different amounts of service work, or the total recommended annual service can be equally spread over the total number of visits required in twelve months.

Therefore the minimum number of visits in twelve months will always be 2 (or 4 with vented batteries)

Simples!

p.s. - I agree with Anthony B that the last BS amendment resulted in the number of necessary visits being reduced down from four visits to only two visits per year (if no vented bat..... etc. etc.)  I also do have vague recollections of servicing only once per year some 25+ years ago, but I can't remember if we were doing this to a code of practice or to a customer's requirements.

[Richr]

We get customers wanting annual services all the time. We try and encourage them to do the six monthly service aswell, but they get it in their head its once a year and wont budge. We send them a letter pointing out the reccomendations and let them decide or themselves. If we argue too much we would loose the contract.

We even get the fire brigade telling them 1 visit a year is ok, so what can you say!

[Allen Higginson]

We get customers wanting annual services all the time. We try and encourage them to do the six monthly service aswell, but they get it in their head its once a year and wont budge. We send them a letter pointing out the reccomendations and let them decide or themselves. If we argue too much we would loose the contract.

We even get the fire brigade telling them 1 visit a year is ok, so what can you say!

You can tell them that the system is no longer considered as being maintained to 5839 at their request,despite your concerns being put to them in writing.

"The period between successive inspection and servicing visits should be based upon a risk assessment, taking into account the type of system installed, the environment in which it operates and other factors that may affect the long term operation of the system. The recommended period between successive inspection and servicing visits should not exceed six months. If this recommendation is not implemented, it should be considered that the system is no longer compliant with this part of BS 5839."

Two visits per year minimum with 50% per visit.

[Richr]

agreed thats all you can do. let the risk assessor or the brigade tell them

[Big_Fella]

We get customers wanting annual services all the time. We try and encourage them to do the six monthly service aswell, but they get it in their head its once a year and wont budge. We send them a letter pointing out the reccomendations and let them decide or themselves. If we argue too much we would loose the contract.

We even get the fire brigade telling them 1 visit a year is ok, so what can you say!

I think we all know extinguishers are annually, and there are still people who think it can coincide with that, hence them saying 1 visit.  They need educating into understanding why it's recommended more than once per year

[John Dragon]

We get customers wanting annual services all the time. We try and encourage them to do the six monthly service aswell, but they get it in their head its once a year and wont budge. We send them a letter pointing out the reccomendations and let them decide or themselves. If we argue too much we would loose the contract.

We even get the fire brigade telling them 1 visit a year is ok, so what can you say!

I thought it was only us having trouble getting customers to go for 6 monthly servicing.
Landlords of HMOs in particular are very anti. In fact quite a few only have servicing done when the councils make them! (this is one way in which the RRFSO isn't working, not enough checking by councils / brigades).

[nearlythere]

Apart from the recommendations of the BS do they really need to be serviced every 6 months? Everything else in the world seems to be servicable every year without a problem. Is this just the industry trying to generate additional income?
Just a thought.

[Davo]

Whilst we are on the subject.......

Our call points have stickers marked in quarters and five years on them. There are squares for the contractor to place an X to indicate servicing. (Is this mandatory?)
In theory then I could do an audit of CPs to check that they have all been covered.
However, dip sampling reveals many have large gaps. Do I need to monitor this properly as it seems to me there are more gaps than human error would permit


davo

[Galeon]

Better have a printer on your panels , ask for full loop listings on the site , when they do a service ask for the print out and check it off yourself , what prints out don't lie.

[Galeon]

Apart from the recommendations of the BS do they really need to be serviced every 6 months? Everything else in the world seems to be servicable every year without a problem. Is this just the industry trying to generate additional income?
Just a thought.

I have the Aston checked at least 3 times a year 

[nearlythere]

Apart from the recommendations of the BS do they really need to be serviced every 6 months? Everything else in the world seems to be servicable every year without a problem. Is this just the industry trying to generate additional income?
Just a thought.

I have the Aston checked at least 3 times a year 

You mean the Aston Fiesta 1.1 Bog Standard with twin wipers and antilock doors? No matter how many times you check Galeon nobody is going to steal it.