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Fire Safety Inspections

Fire Alarm Inspection Checklist

A free fire alarm inspection checklist to BS 5839 — the weekly call point test, panel status, zone and battery checks, and the fire log book records.

Frequency

Weekly (call point test by responsible person); six-monthly service by a competent engineer

Who inspects

The responsible person (weekly); a competent fire alarm engineer (servicing)

Standard

BS 5839-1

A fire alarm inspection confirms the detection and alarm system is healthy and will raise the alarm in a fire. Under BS 5839-1, the responsible person carries out a weekly test of a manual call point, and a competent engineer services the system at least every six months. This checklist covers the routine weekly inspection and status checks that keep the system reliable between services.

Fire Alarm Inspection Checklist: what to check

Panel status

Panel shows normal — no fault, fire, or disablement indications

Weekly call point test

A different manual call point tested each week and the alarm sounds

Zone display

Panel displays the correct zone for the tested device

Sounders

Audible and visual alarm devices operate at the correct level

Batteries

Standby battery healthy and charger maintaining charge

Disablements

No detectors or zones left isolated without record

Fault log

Event/fault log reviewed and any recurring faults noted

ARC link

Auto-dialler / alarm receiving centre link signals correctly (if fitted)

Record

Weekly test and any faults logged in the fire log book

Download printable checklist templates from the templates library, or build a custom one with the checklist generator.

Common inspection failures

  • Weekly test not carried out or not logged — the most common non-conformity
  • Standby batteries past their life causing power supply faults
  • Detectors left isolated after building works
  • False alarms from contamination or unsuitable detector types
  • Zone chart out of date after refurbishment

Frequently asked questions

Keep inspection records searchable

Once inspections are running, the records pile up. PM Assist makes your inspection records, O&M manuals, and certificates instantly searchable — so you can produce evidence on demand.