Fire alarm records to check before an inspection

Start with what you can actually produce

The system on the wall tells you very little on its own. The records tell you when it was last attended, what was tested and what was found.

So the first question is not whether the alarm works. It is whether you can show what has been done to it.

A plain checklist

Gather these into one place, digital or paper, that somebody other than you could find:

• Servicing records for the fire alarm system, most recent first
• The certification issued in relation to that servicing
• Who currently services the system and how to contact them
• Whether the system is monitored, and by whom
• Any outstanding items an engineer has previously reported

If the records cannot be found

That is common, particularly where a premises has changed hands, moved or changed provider. It is not a crisis, but it does mean the status of the system is unknown.

The practical step is to have the system and its setup looked at, so you know the position rather than guess it.

General information, not advice

Fire safety requirements vary by premises. This guide is general information about fire alarm records and does not set out what your premises is required to do. For that, consult the relevant authority or a suitably qualified professional.