FAQ

Addressable, Conventional, Wireless and Air Sampling. Many fire protection providers have only one system offering, limiting their technical solution options but Universal Fire & Safety Services Ltd is a true systems house, enabling us to match and offer a system solution from a selection of the leading manufacturers that best meet you own particular needs.

The Periodic Inspection requires; the system logbook be checked, a visual inspection undertaken to check whether structural or occupancy changes have affected the compliance of the system (re-siting / replacing / adding devices as required), false alarm incident rates are recorded to ensure compliance with 30.2, battery voltage measured to check it is within the manufacturers recommendations, batteries should be load tested to ensure that they are in good serviceable condition and not likely to fail before the next service visit (25.4b recommends use of batteries with a 4 years minimum lifespan), Control Indicating Equipment (CIE) should be checked, operation of fire alarm devices checked, Alarm Signal Transmission should be checked, all ancillary function of the CIE should be tested, all fault indicators should be checked, all printers should be tested and availability of sufficient printer consumables (printer roles) ensured, radio systems must be serviced in accordance with manufacturers recommendations, manufacturer recommended checks and tests should be carried out across the system. Any outstanding defects should be recorded and reported to the customer, the system logbook completed and an inspection and servicing certificate should be issued. In addition to the tasks specified in the Periodic Inspection the following tasks must be completed once during each 12 month period; testing of every manual call point, examination and functional test of all automatic fire detectors and remote detectors, functional test of every heat detector, smoke detector, optical beam smoke detector, aspirating fire detection system, carbon monoxide detector, flame detectors, multi-sensor detectors etc, full testing of all Control Indicating Equipment, testing of the cause and effect programming by testing one Cause and observing the Effect, testing of the standby power supply capacity to establish it remains suitable for continued service, all further annual checks and tests recommended by the equipment manufacturer.

Using the wrong extinguisher could make matters worse; water on an oil/electric fire would cause the fire to get bigger. It’s safer to make sure you use the correct one.

You must perform one fire drill per year to comply with UK law. You must also record the results of the drill to inform your fire safety and evacuation plan.

Dependent upon use, testing and environmental factors, the standard life expectancy of a fire alarm panel battery is 4 years - unless specified otherwise by the manufacturer

The standard life span of an optical detector is 10 years though some specific manufacturers suggest an extended life span. However, detectors need calibrating according to their environment and are highly susceptible to degradation based on environmental factors. For example a detector situated within a very dusty environment will require replacement sooner than a detector in a clean environment.

The appointment of a new Service Provider necessitates a special inspection of the fire alarm system during which they must identify all major areas of non compliance including; inadequate detection, sounders, power supplies, inappropriate cabling and the absence of a zone plan or other suitable diagrammatic representation of the premises.

These non compliances must be reported to the Customer who is responsible for arranging the undertaking of the remedial action.

Where available the Service Provider should also obtain and review all existing records (including Design and Installation Certificates, Operation and Maintenance Manual, Testing Records, as fitted drawings, a Log Book and a record of all variations.