The LWF Blog
Facilities Management & Fire Safety – Inspection, Testing and Maintenance – Part 4
June 14, 2018 10:16 amIn LWF’s blog series for people who work in Facilities Management or those with an interest in or responsibility for fire safety, we have been looking at the inspection, testing and maintenance regimen required in an organisation and how it should be carried out by the responsible person or relevant sub-contractor or in-house qualified personnel. In part 3, the checks that must be carried out on a daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly basis were outlined. In part 4, it continues from that point with bi-annual, annual and periodic checks and tests.
On a bi-annual (six monthly) basis, the following checks should be completed by a suitably qualified individual:
– The maintenance of fire alarm systems is necessary at six-monthly intervals; however, it is also quite common for a system to require quarterly maintenance.
– All door-release mechanisms should be subject to maintenance.
– Gaseous extinguishing installations must be maintained.
– An inspection of the fire mains must be undertaken.
On an annual basis (once per year), the following checks must be undertaken by a suitably qualified individual:
– The maintenance of any fire extinguishing appliances, such as hose reels or portable extinguishers.
– The inspection and testing of all lighting protection systems.
– The maintenance of and full discharge test of emergency escape lighting installations.
– Spring-operated fire dampers should be fully tested, while other fire dampers should be tested every two years as a minimum.
– Maintenance of private fire hydrants.
On a periodic basis, the following tests and checks must be undertaken by a suitably qualified individual:
– Fixed electrical installations should be subject to regular inspection and testing.
– Portable electrical appliances should be tested and maintained or replaced.
– Gas installations should be tested and maintained.
– Boiler plant should be tested and maintained.
It is important that records are kept of all routine maintenance, inspections, tests, defects and rectification work that is carried out. Such records are required to demonstrate due diligence in case of any legal action which might be brought, such as prosecution under fire safety legislation.
The fire insurer may require the completion of a record card to show that inspections and tests of sprinkler installations have been carried out, for example. It is also noted that manufacturers may also have specific test requirements, so operational and maintenance manuals/specific advice must be considered for every installation.
The accurate and up to date keeping of a log book which shows all checks, tests, maintenance of fire protection measures is necessary, whether or not there is a specific requirement to do so as this will assist in providing a defence against prosecution or civil action in the event of allegations of neglect of fire protection measures.
In part 5 of this series, LWF looks at Fire Procedures and how they should be specific to your building and organisation. In the meantime, if you have any questions about this blog, or wish to discuss your own project with one of our fire engineers, please contact us.
Lawrence Webster Forrest has been working with their clients for over 25 years to produce innovative and exciting building projects. If you would like further information on how LWF and fire strategies could assist you, please contact Peter Gyere on 020 8668 8663.
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.