Frequently asked questions

A small conventional system in a shop or office is often installed in one or two days. A large addressable system in a multi-storey building can take several weeks, usually phased so the building stays protected and occupied throughout.

Conventional systems group detectors into zones and suit smaller buildings. Addressable systems identify the exact device that has operated, which saves time in an emergency and makes false alarms easier to trace. As a rough guide, buildings with more than eight zones or complex evacuation strategies usually benefit from addressable.

Yes. Radio systems certified to BS EN 54-25 can be designed and installed to BS 5839-1. They are a good fit for listed buildings, occupied homes and temporary accommodation where cabling would be disruptive.

You receive design, installation and commissioning certificates in the format set out in BS 5839-1, plus an acceptance certificate once the system is handed over to you.

BS 5839-1 recommends inspection and servicing at intervals of no more than six months. Your fire risk assessment may set a shorter interval for higher-risk premises.

Yes. We service all major brands. On the first visit we carry out a full inspection so we know the condition of the system before we take responsibility for it.

The weekly test is normally carried out by a member of your staff or a site manager, using a different call point each week. We can train your team and supply a test rota as part of the contract.

Yes. We can connect suitable panels to an alarm receiving centre so that an alarm is passed on even when the building is empty.

The user should test the system weekly from a different call point each time. A competent person should inspect and service it at intervals of no more than six months, so that every device is tested over the year.

A weekly user test takes a few minutes. A six-monthly service on a small system takes a couple of hours. Large addressable systems in multi-storey buildings may take one or more full days, split across visits.

Sounders are tested for short bursts, and we agree timings with you in advance so occupants are warned. Detector testing can usually be done with the sounders silenced.

Yes. We test all major brands of conventional, addressable and wireless systems.

It depends on the size and layout. Small two-storey HMOs often need Grade D1 LD2 with mains-wired, interlinked alarms. Larger HMOs, especially over three storeys, commonly need a Grade A system with a panel. Your local council's licence conditions take priority.

In England, the basic legal minimum for some rented homes can be met with battery alarms, but most councils and BS 5839-6 expect mains-powered interlinked alarms. In Scotland, sealed long-life battery alarms are acceptable for owner-occupiers, but mains-wired is usual for landlords. In Wales, rented homes need mains-powered alarms.

In England, rented homes need a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance, excluding gas cookers. Scotland and Wales have similar requirements. We fit them alongside the fire alarm.

Most premises need a rated duration of three hours. Some low-risk premises that will be evacuated immediately and not reoccupied may use one hour, but three hours is the usual recommendation.

A short functional test every month and a full rated-duration test once a year. Results should be recorded in the logbook.

Most purpose-built blocks need emergency lighting in common escape routes. Your fire risk assessment will confirm the extent.

In England, communal fire doors in residential buildings with storeys above 11 metres should be checked at least every three months, and flat entrance doors at least annually on a best endeavours basis. Other buildings should follow the frequency in their fire risk assessment.

Gaps between the leaf and frame are generally expected to be around 3 mm, and typically no more than 4 mm. Excessive gaps let smoke and fire through and are one of the most common failure reasons.

We provide a priced remedial schedule and can carry out minor adjustments, seals and closers. Replacement doorsets should be certified products installed by a competent installer.

A basic service every 12 months, plus an extended service every five years for water, foam and powder units and an overhaul every ten years for CO2.

Often no. Government guidance for purpose-built flats generally discourages extinguishers in common escape routes, because residents should leave rather than fight a fire. Follow your fire risk assessment.

CO2 is the usual choice for electrical equipment such as server rooms and offices. Some water mist units are also tested for use on electrical fires.

Most manufacturers and BS EN 12101 guidance call for a weekly or monthly functional check by the building's management and a full service by a competent engineer at least once a year. Many managing agents choose six-monthly servicing to match the fire alarm.

In England, the Responsible Person for a high-rise residential building must report a fault to the local fire and rescue service if it is not fixed within 24 hours.

In England, Wales and Scotland, private landlords must have the installation inspected and tested at least every five years, or sooner if the previous report says so.

C1 means danger present and immediate action is needed. C2 means potentially dangerous and urgent remedial action is required. C3 means improvement is recommended. FI means further investigation is needed. Any C1, C2 or FI gives an unsatisfactory result.

A typical flat takes two to four hours. A house or small commercial unit can take most of a day. Power will be off for short periods during testing.

Yes. We quote each coded item separately, carry out the work, and issue the relevant certificates so the report can be closed out.

The law requires a review whenever there is reason to think it is no longer valid, such as after building work or a change of use. Many Responsible Persons review annually as good practice, and higher-risk premises may need more frequent reviews.

Usually the employer, the owner, or whoever has control of the premises. In a block of flats it is usually the freeholder or the management company for the common parts.

In England, a building at least 18 metres tall or with at least seven storeys, containing at least two residential units. Hospitals and care homes are covered during design and construction, but not by the occupation-phase regime.

No. The safety case is the full body of risk assessment and evidence. The safety case report is the document that summarises it and is submitted to the Regulator when requested.

No. The Accountable Person is defined by ownership or repairing obligations and cannot be transferred to a contractor. We support Accountable Persons with the evidence, documents and processes they need.

No. It is a form for lenders and valuers. A building can have an EWS1 and still need fire safety improvements identified in its fire risk assessment.

A1 to A3 cover walls with little or no combustible material. B1 means combustible material is present but the fire risk is low enough that no remediation is needed. B2 means remedial work is needed.

Five years from the date it is signed, unless the wall is altered.

Option A can be signed by a member of a relevant professional body with suitable expertise. Option B needs a signatory with fire engineering expertise.

If you need to manage risk and plan works, a PAS 9980 appraisal is usually the right starting point. If a lender is asking, an EWS1 may still be requested, though under the RICS standard from November 2026 a PAS 9980 summary can sometimes be used instead.

An inspection of the walls, floors and ceilings that are meant to contain a fire, looking for gaps and unsealed service penetrations that would let fire and smoke spread.

A Type 3 or Type 4 assessment includes some destructive inspection of flats or common parts. A compartmentation survey is a more detailed, location-by-location record and is usually what the action plan calls for.

Yes. We install tested fire stopping products to the manufacturer's details and record the product and the substrate for every seal.