Gary

Thank you very much for your reply, Anthony. This seems like good news as I can carry out the 3 hour test in the exact same way as the monthly on/off test, and I’m happy to bring experts in to carry out repairs. I’ve looked at the Fire Safety Order, Article 17, and I’m interested in how are you interpreted this document to provide your response, just so I can clearly explain this to my fellow residents... https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/article/17/made Thanks, once again, Gary

Hello, I am the resident of a small residential development and I also look after the communal areas on behalf of the owners - i.e. I look after the management company. Last year, an electrician installed new LED emergency lamps across the our development (which is comprised of three small blocks). These replaced a series of old fluorescent emergency lamps. He also installed a test switch in each area. I’ve been running and recording the required monthly checks as required and we have just reached our 12 month anniversary of the new lamps, so the annual test is now due. I have read through this forum several times, and I still cannot seem to understand whether we definitely need a professional organisation to carry out the three hour test or whether I can do it myself? Of course, if there are any faults found over the course of the annual test then I would bring-in the electrician to make the necessary adjustments and repairs. Please can you advise me whether I am able to carry out the annual test myself without professional intervention? Additionally, we have a smoke ventilation system (AOV) in the each of the three small blocks. I check that the vent opens and closes via the manual switch every month, at the same time I test the emergency lights, but I presume I need to test the smoke sensor on an annual basis using a smoke generating machine. I cannot find any information about the formal necessary testing of this system, so would be grateful if somebody can guide me towards the necessary legislation. Thank you, in advance, for any help you can offer with these matters. Gary

Hello, I am the resident of a small residential development and I also look after the communal areas on behalf of the owners - i.e. I look after the management company. Last year, an electrician installed new LED emergency lamps across the our development (which is comprised of three small blocks). These replaced a series of old fluorescent emergency lamps. He also installed a test switch in each area. I’ve been running and recording the required monthly checks as required and we have just reached our 12 month anniversary of the new lamps, so the annual test is now due. I have read this thread several times, and I still cannot seem to understand whether we definitely need a professional organisation to carry out the three hour test or whether I can do it myself? Of course, if there are any faults found over the course of the annual test then I would bring-in the electrician to make the necessary adjustments and repairs. Please can you advise me whether I am able to carry out the annual test myself without professional intervention? Additionally, we have a smoke ventilation system (AOV) in the each of the three small blocks. I check that the vent opens and closes via the manual switch every month, at the same time I test the emergency lights, but I presume I need to test the smoke sensor on an annual basis using a smoke generating machine. I cannot find any information about the formal necessary testing of this system, so would be grateful if somebody can guide me towards the necessary legislation. Thank you, in advance, for any help you can offer with these matters. Gary

Thank you, Anthony. We have a very standard set up here. Standard lights that double up as emergency lights which I personally test and log once a month. Plus wired-in smoke detectors with a 10 year life which I had replaced about a year ago. I don’t currently test these, but it could be easily done when I do my once a month emergency lights check. Are you suggesting that the emergency lights are tested for the three hour longevity once a year and smoke detectors do not need testing at all, ever? If so, and otherwise, where do I find the regulations that show these intervals and testing regimes? Thanks again for your help.

Hello, We previously had a fire safety team visit our development every six months to check the smoke detectors and emergency lights. Then, about a year ago, an electrician installed a new range of emergency lights for us and offered to take over the testing of these and the smoke detectors. We were advised that a responsible person needed to simply check that the emergency lights came on once a month, which I’ve been doing, and that a full three-hour test of the emergency lights plus gaseous smoke detector checks could then take place annually, rather than every six-months. Can anybody confirm that this is the case, as I still read in these forums that a six-monthly check is required for both emergency lights and smoke detection. Thanks, Gary

Hello, We have wired-in electric radiators/ heaters in our communal entrance halls within a purpose-built block. I presume they are permitted, as they were installed by the builder of the development 15 years ago, but is it better to request that they are removed? I personally don’t like the idea of them being flicked on and off by various people, and potentially left on through the night. Thanks, Gary

Thank you, Anthony B. I have read through the relevant parts on the first document which you provided a link to, and will take a look at the papers that your second link takes me to. I understand what you mean about Fire Risk Assessments utilising the same template, irrespective of building type, by simply appropriately marking the sections that are not applicable. As such I will use the one which was provided elsewhere on this forum: https://www.safelincs.co.uk/free-fire-risk-assessment-form/. Hopefully, It won’t be too onerous as the development of apartments is simply three small blocks of two and three stories. However, the sheer size of the document to make it feel a little bit daunting, but I’m sure I will cope - and, if not, I will come back here with questions. Once again, I appreciate your help and support. If you think of anything else that is relevant, then I will be happy to receive a note. Kind regards, Gary

Hello, Firstly, thank you for all the information that you provide on this forum. I’m looking after the common parts/ communal area of a purpose-built development of twenty flats, split over three small blocks, on behalf of the owners. I live in one of the flats so I am also a resident-owner. We served notice on our managing agent because they were overcharging us and involved in, what appears to be, fraudulent activity. I understand that I need to complete a Fire Safety Risk Assessment for the communal areas. They are very clean and simple areas, with nothing but carpeted staircases to the main doors of each apartment. Nonetheless, I understand my obligations in carrying out the assessment. Is there a simple assessment template for such areas, as the only ones I seem to have found involve a full blown study of everything from cooking areas to the storage of flammable gases? Thanks, in advance, for any help you can provide. Good wishes, Gary