Fire Alarm Testing

Current UK fire alarm regulations state that all business premises must have ‘an appropriate fire detection system’.

This basically means that an outbreak of fire can easily be detected and occupants can easily be warned.

This does not necessarily mean that all business premises will need a fire alarm system.

You are unlikely to need a fire alarm system if all of the following statements are true:

• Your premises are small, simple, and single-storey or open-plan
• You don’t store any high-risk substances, such as chemicals
• You don’t undertake any high-risk activities, such as cooking
• You don’t have any vulnerable occupants, such as the very young, elderly or disabled
• A fire would be easily spotted if it broke out anywhere in the premises
• A shout of ‘fire!’ would be easily heard by all occupants

If one or more of these statements does not apply to your business, then you probably need a fire alarm system.