Typical workplace schedule
Daily oversight, weekly user test and periodic servicing
Government premises guides recommend that control and indicating equipment is checked at least every 24 hours for faults and that fire-warning systems are tested weekly. For an electrical system, a manual call point is normally operated with successive tests rotating across the system.
A competent person should also inspect and service the system at the interval required by the applicable standard, design, manufacturer and FRA. User testing and professional servicing answer different questions.
| Activity | Typical purpose | Who normally does it |
|---|---|---|
| Panel check | Confirm normal indication and identify faults or disabled zones | Named premises person |
| Weekly alarm test | Prove the signal reaches the panel and warning devices operate | Trained premises person |
| Periodic inspection and service | Examine system condition, devices, records, cause-and-effect and faults | Competent alarm organisation |
| After change or fault | Restore reliable protection and confirm affected functions | Competent person with premises coordination |
User test
Rotate the test point and keep the test controlled
Test at a consistent time so occupants recognise the short test. Use the correct test key and rotate manual call points so one device is not used every week. Where people work outside normal hours, additional arrangements may be needed so they can hear and recognise the alarm.
Do not create an unplanned evacuation or send a false signal to an alarm receiving centre. Follow the premises procedure for notifications, monitoring connections and resetting.
Log and act
A recorded fault needs a response, not just an entry
Log the date, device or zone, result, person testing and any fault. Record unwanted alarms, isolation and restoration. A fault affecting warning, detection, cause-and-effect or monitoring should be assessed promptly and may require interim measures.
Repeated faults or false alarms can indicate poor design, environment, maintenance or management. Review the FRA where reliability changes the emergency arrangements.
Different systems
Match the routine to the system and premises
A simple manual workplace alarm, addressable commercial system, domestic interlinked alarms and specialist evacuation system do not share one identical procedure. Sleeping risk, phased evacuation, voice alarm, suppression interfaces and high-rise controls require competent system-specific planning.
The system category does not itself set every maintenance action. Confirm the design standard, logbook, zone plan, service contract and responsible person.