Fire alarm and emergency lighting testing

[matt456]

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Does anyone know what regulations or certificates etc may be required to periodically test the functionality of these types of installations?
i used to work for a company and reguarly used to test both of the above in offices and shops etc but was wondering how id go about testing these for myself as it is good repeat work every 6 months
regards
mat

 

[Guest123]

Hi Matt.

You could try these.

Emergency lighting certs - NICEIC Direct

Fire alarm certs - NICEIC Direct

 

[matt456]

cheers lenny,
these are the very same forms i used to fill out on a regular basis. Am i allowed to test these systems or do i need to do the relevant bs course first?

 

[Spudnik]

Not sure its about courses but more to do with your insurance.

 

[Guest123]

Hi.

As long as you are conversant with the requirements of BS 5839, and 5266 and have good liability insurance then you will be ok.

 

[johnsparks23]

Electricians can install fire alarms, no probs, as long as you know what your doing! BPFSA run courses, if you dont!

 

[matt456]

Fire alarm systems are a doddle, would like to know more about designing them as with regards to positioning and where devices are required. Which category of system for which type of building etc.
matt

 

[Guest123]

Have a look in "Lennys Links" at the top of the general forum. Some fire alarm refernces there.

 

[GrahamF001]

Hi Matt, to be up to speed on testing you will need copies of BS5839 part 1 : 2002 for fire alarms and BS 5266 part 8 : 2004 for emergency lighting.

 

[matt456]

thanks graham i will look into getting a copy of these.
they dont appear cheap though
regards
matt

 

[Wotsit]

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=3&url=http://www.------.org/publishing/wiring-regulations/mag/2005/17-firealarms.cfm?type=pdf&ei=MPPxSaDkHNSw-AbJ3MCdDw&usg=AFQjCNEWa6-iibgVdGzJXAoqjpc-xMPAcg

Hope this helps, i think part 6 is for inspection and testing

 

[Guest123]

A site to buy copies of BS for em lighting and fire alarms is linked to in my links at the top of the general forum.

 

[cfsfire]

Part 6 is for domestic type grade systems Part 1 is for commercial type fire alarms.

BS5839:1 2002 states that you should be comptent and examples this by stating you should have relevant experience and qualifcations. e.g a FIA or BAFE course.

Insurance is the big one you need a specialist policy most brokers call it a "alarm maintenance and installers policy" also efficay insurance.

BS5839:1 2002 also states that the maintenance contract must provide 24\7 call out in the event of a fault.

I cant stress enough how this is a life safety system and if you havent got a copy of the regs already and you are thinking about maintaining systems i suggest you go on a course first even after the course you should have a good experience to back you up.

BS5266 for maintaing emergency lighting systems is a lot simpler but still a lot to know regarding the correct placing and type of emergency lighting.

Remember you cannot just maintain these systems to prove if they work. For example if you certificate a system to say 100% of devices tested opperate correctly but you havent checked that there is half of a zone on a four core covering more than 2000sqm and the system fails in the event of a fire i hope you have a good lawyer.

Dont wont to scare you but fires happen and the blaim gets pushed to someone (normally the person with the least backup) look at the nursing home fire in scotland and the recent hotel in newquay.

Any questions let me know.

Adam