Fire Alarm Responsibilities and Maintenance

Responsibility for a fire alarm system rests with the responsible person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — usually the employer, owner or occupier who controls the premises.

The core duties

• Ensure an appropriate system is provided, based on the fire risk assessment.
• Keep it in efficient working order and good repair.
• Arrange weekly user tests, six-monthly servicing and prompt repairs.
• Keep records in the fire logbook.

Delegation vs duty

Testing and servicing are usually delegated — weekly tests to a named person on site, servicing to a competent contractor. But the legal duty remains with the responsible person, who must ensure the work is actually done and defects are addressed.

A coordinated approach

Fire alarms sit alongside emergency lighting, fire-fighting equipment and evacuation planning. Managing them together — ideally on a single compliance calendar — ensures nothing lapses and the whole fire strategy stays ready. See the fire alarm testing pillar for the overall regime.