The LWF Blog
Facilities Management & Fire Safety – Inspection, Testing and Maintenance – Part 3
June 6, 2018 11:29 amIn LWF’s blog series for people who work in Facilities Management, or anyone with an interest in or responsibility for fire safety, we have been looking at the types of inspection, testing and maintenance which must be undertaken to achieve the required standards of fire safety management in an organisation. In part 2, the references and sources which should be taken into consideration when composing the itinerary of checks and tests were outlined, in addition to discussing those relatively simple daily tasks which must be completed. In part 3, we continue from that point to discuss weekly, monthly and quarterly task lists.
On a weekly basis, the following tasks must be completed:
– Checks to escape routes and final exit doors to ensure they are clear of debris, stored items and are fully accessible in case of fire. General housekeeping must also be checked to ensure no fire hazards are developing through an inappropriate storage of goods or rubbish.
– The fire alarm system should be tested as per the manufacturer/installer’s instructions to ensure it continues to function efficiently.
– All door release mechanisms should be checked for correct functionality.
– Sprinkler installations must be inspected, along with any other fire-fighting systems and should be tested.
– Operate the smoke-control systems in place to support safe evacuation from the premises.
– Test the switches provided for both evacuation and fire-fighting lifts.
On a monthly basis, the following must be undertaken:
– Emergency escape lighting should be fully tested, including any battery or generator back-up.
– The visibility and placement of fire safety signs must be checked.
– All provided fire extinguishers must be in place and undamaged, they must be accessible at all times.
– Hose reels should also be checked for damage and still be in place and accessible.
– Generators, vented batteries and any other system to provide back-up power for fire alarm systems should be checked.
– A simulation of loss of main power supply to the evacuation and fire-fighting lifts should be undertaken.
On a quarterly basis, the following checks should be made:
– The sprinkler systems must undergo maintenance to the standard indicated by installer/manufacturer and to align with all relevant guidance.
– All smoke-control systems, including those which are for use by the Fire Service, must be tested and found to work correctly.
In part 4 of this series, LWF will continue the subject of checks, tests and maintenance of fire safety and fire prevention equipment by looking at those checks which must be made on a bi-annual and annual basis. In the meantime, if you have any queries about your own facilities or wish to discuss this blog series, please contact Peter Gyere in the first instance on 0208 668 8663.
Lawrence Webster Forrest is a fire engineering consultancy based in Surrey with over 25 years’ experience, which provides a wide range of consultancy services to professionals involved in the design, development and construction and operation of buildings.
While care has been taken to ensure that information contained in LWF’s publications is true and correct at the time of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information.