There are also major services undertaken on fire extinguishers, hydrants, and sprinkler systems at 3 and/or 6 yearly intervals. A more detailed explanation on the maintenance requirements follows.
Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers need to be serviced every 6 months with an internal inspection and test of the cylinder conducted every 6 years.
Fire Hydrants
Fire hydrants and hydrant boosters are inspected each month to ensure that they have not been damaged. Every year the hydrants are operated to ensure that there is water in the hydrant system. Many clients prefer to have a service company inspect the hydrants every 6 months rather than every month. Every 3 years the hydrant system is overhauled and tested to ensure that there is adequate flow for fire fighting purposes. Every 6 years the hydrant system is also hydrostatically tested for leaks.
Hard Wired Smoke Alarms
Hard wired smoke alarms or smoke detectors connected to a security system are checked every 3 months to ensure that there is an audible alarm.
Fire Alarm systems
Fire alarm systems are required to be tested from the fire panel every month. Once a year 50% of the smoke detectors and 20% of the thermal (heat) detectors are tested to ensure that they operate correctly. At this annual test all controls activated by a fire alarm are also tested.
Evacuation Systems
Evacuation systems are tested every month to ensure that they operate automatically when a fire alarm is detected.
To download our Fire Evacuation Systems Information Sheet please click here.
Fire Sprinkler systems
Fire sprinkler systems are tested every week to ensure that an alarm from the sprinkler system is transmitted to the fire panel. Every year the sprinkler is tested to ensure that there is an adequate flow of water for the sprinkler system to operate as it was designed. Every 3 years the sprinkler valves need to be overhauled.
Fire Pumps
Fire pumps are tested every week to ensure that they start automatically. The pump engines should be serviced each year or as advised by the manufacturer. The valves on the pump need to be overhauled every 3 years.
Fire and Smoke Doors
Fire and smoke doors are inspected every month to ensure that they close when required and are in their default position. Every year the smoke and fire doors are inspected to ensure that they operate as they have been designed.
Exit and Emergency Lights
Exit and Emergency lighting is checked every month to ensure that the globes are operating when there is a power failure. Many clients undertake this inspection themselves. Every 6 months the exit and emergency lights are checked to see if they will operate on their backup batteries for 90 minutes.
To download our Fire Exit and Emergency Lighting Information Sheet please click here.
