Do HMO fire alarm systems have to be tested weekly?

[Guest SallyNe]

Could you clarify whether this regulation applies to our situation please? I live in the basement flat of a 4 floor Edwardian house which has been converted into 4 flats. The freehold is owned jointly by the owners of the flats. When the house was converted in the 1990's a rather splendid fire alarm was fitted throughout the building. We get this serviced once a year but this year the company servicing the alarm left a log book and said that we had a duty under this regulation to test the alarm every week. Looking at your site it seems that the regulation is applied to non-domestic premises. I believe it is also true that in our situation simple smoke alarms are all that are required by law. Could you confirm whether it is or is not a requirement for us to test the alarm on a weekly basis please?
Many thanks
Sally

[Tom Sutton]

As freeholders you are the Responsible Person (RP) of the common areas under the The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and require to conduct a Fire risk Assessment. (FRA) If the FRA considers a fire alarm is necessary it should be installed in accordance with BS 5839-6:2004 which includes testing and maintenance. Depending on the grade installed testing is weekly and maintenance is six monthly for most systems in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. The weekly test is simple operating the system to ensure it is working and the six monthly maintenance is to ensure it will fulfil its role if ever needed.

Check out http://www.cieh.org/uploadedFiles/Core/Policy/Publications_and_information_services/Policy_publications/Publications/National_fire_safety_guidance_08.pdf for standard to be applied.

[chris davies]

hi,we look after a couple HMO in witch we have fitted mains linked smoke detectors and call points a few years ago,we also have certificates of design,installation and commissioning and test the system as recommended ( category LD2 Grade D).The council now want us to complete a FSM3 form from Appendix G9 of BS5839: Part 1 fire detection and alarm system inspection and servicing report, as far as we can see this is for non domestic premises ?. is there a annual test certificate for an LD2 Grade D system ?

many thanks Chris.

[AnthonyB]

The Council are incorrect to require service paperwork from BS5839-1 as it applies to commercial premises systems and BS58839-6 Grade A systems.

Your premises have a grade D system for which the only maintenance is weekly testing & periodic cleaning of detectors in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

Also BS5839-1:2013 (the current standard) contains neither an appendix G9 (Just appendix G with one item, a model fire log book) nor a FSM3 form! 

[Guest Defect fire alarm system]

Hi
I live in a huge listed building in which we have been told has a defunct alarm system. We have been advised that the alarm system is now obsolete and the sensors in many of the flats along with the actual panel is faulty. The agency servicing the building have been advised (as the alarm goes off all the time and drives everyone mad) but nothing is being done and they are not even returning phone calls. With no escape route in many of the flats (Windows don't fully open and no patio doors should a fire be blocking a main entrance) and a faulty alarm, I feel like they are breaking fire safety regulations and not taking them seriously. Please can you advise where I can report this matter with a sense of urgency? Many thanks
Danni

[Tom Sutton]

The common areas are subject to the  Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005  and the enforcing authority is the Fire and Rescue Service you should inform the local fire and rescue service of the situation.

Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/uk-fire-rescue-services-details/.