Fire alarm servicing and maintenance in London

How often should a fire alarm be serviced under BS 5839-1?

BS 5839-1 recommends professional servicing at least every six months: two visits a year. Between visits, the Responsible Person carries out a weekly test of a single manual call point (rotating which one each week) and records it in the log book. Some higher-risk or larger systems are serviced more frequently; your fire risk assessment and the servicing organisation's judgement decide. The essentials:

What's included in a fire alarm service visit?

Each six-monthly visit is a full BS 5839-1 inspection, not a quick look at the panel:

• Control panel: indicators, controls, fault and disablement functions, event log.
• Detectors & call points: a proportion tested on a rolling programme so every device is checked across the year.
• Sounders & visual alarm devices: audibility and, where fitted, VAD coverage.
• Batteries & standby supply: the system must run on backup power if the mains fails.
• Cause and effect: that the right outputs (evacuation, door releases, plant shutdown) fire on activation.
• Log book & certificate: we update the log and issue a service certificate recording what was tested and the system’s condition.

What do you get after every visit?

A weakness we hear about constantly when clients switch to us is providers who visit, tick a box and leave nothing behind. We do the opposite: after every service you receive a written report of what was tested, any faults found, and clear advice on remedials, plus the service certificate your insurer, landlord or fire inspector will ask for. All our services support compliance with insurance policies.

Managing several buildings for clients? Fire alarm maintenance for managing agents covers one schedule and a certificate per building.

Which systems and brands do you maintain?

We service both addressable and conventional systems, and as an approved installer with Fike and C-TEC we're well placed to maintain those panels in particular, see our Fike service and C-TEC service pages. We also maintain systems from other manufacturers.

Switching from another maintenance provider

You are not tied to the company that installed your system. If your current provider is slow to respond, vague on pricing, or leaves no paperwork, we can take over. It starts with a free survey and a takeover report, £250 + VAT for up to 15 devices. We test the system, report honestly on its condition and compliance, and move it onto a six-monthly schedule.

1. Takeover report

   We test every device on your existing system and report on its condition, compliance and any outstanding faults.

2. Clear plan and price

   You get a written summary and a maintenance quote, with the price explained. No pressure to proceed.

3. Onto a compliant schedule

   We set up (or bring current) your log book and start six-monthly servicing, with a certificate after each visit.

Read more on the fire alarm takeover page.

What servicing costs a year

Servicing is £150 + VAT a visit for up to 15 devices, and £15 + VAT a visit for each device after that. BS 5839-1 expects two visits a year, so the figure below is the yearly cost.

• The two visits a year BS 5839-1 expects, with the logbook and certificate kept straight.

  Devices on the system

  − + devices

  £150 + VAT a visit for up to 15 devices, two visits a year. Each device after that is £15 + VAT a visit.

Anything we should know?

What moves a fire safety price, and where the money actually goes →