How long do I have to keep fire call point checks?

[Guest BarrySax]

Good morning, I test my fire call points on a weekly basis and log the results in my fire log book. How long do I need to keep these records for? At present I have 7 years worth.

[Tom Sutton]

The Fire Safety Order makes no requirement to record maintenance activities, let alone keep any such records for a set period. So the only comments possible must surely be advice and best practice, rather than any statutory obligation? There is no set time frame I would suggest to keep records for at least two years, as it will show any inspector that you haven’t just filled in the book before he or she came!

[Tom Sutton]

In addition to the above, for advice and best practice I would use BS 5839 Part 1 AMD 2013 which recommends keeping records, but nothing on how long to retain them. I would say keep them as long as they are of some use and give an arbitrary time, as suggested, of two to three years is about right.