Are Fire Alarms Mandatory in the Workplace?

It is perhaps no surprise that fire alarms are one of the most important aspects of commercial fire safety.

When smoke or a fire is detected, these systems will trigger, alerting people that they need to evacuate the building. 

While they are clearly important, are fire alarms actually mandatory in the workplace?

In this article, the team here at Millennium Fire Protection will answer this question and provide a comprehensive guide to work fire alarms.  

Are fire alarms mandatory in the workplace?

According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, it is mandatory for every workplace to have an ‘appropriate’ fire detection system in place.

The regulations go further and require that ‘premises are, to the extent that it is appropriate, equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment and with fire detectors and alarms’. 

While the regulations do not explicitly state that fire alarms themselves are mandatory, this legislation will usually translate to fire alarms as they are the most effective means of detecting the presence of a fire. 

With this in mind, the vast majority of workplaces in the UK will need to have fire alarms installed, with the only exception being particularly small premises with a limited number of employees, where it may be possible for the alarm to be raised by shouting.  

Risk assessments should be carried out to outline what fire detection method is most suitable for your individual workplace. 

Where do you need fire alarms?

It is highly recommended that you have at least one fire alarm on every floor of a commercial building and in areas that pose a particularly high risk (such as kitchens). However, your fire risk assessment will be able to outline precisely where they need to be installed. 

For commercial buildings, it is not acceptable to simply have domestic fire alarms installed and you will need to use professional services to install the devices. 

It is vitally important that you have the correct fire alarms installed and in the correct locations within your premises. Not only will they safeguard human life and property, but if a fire occurs and you do not have properly working fire detection equipment in place, you could face criminal charges – especially if people are injured or killed. 

Furthermore, it is often a requirement of a building’s insurance policy to have fire alarms in place, so this should always be considered a matter of urgency. 

How often should fire alarms be serviced?

Fire alarms should be tested at least once a week with a more in-depth service occurring every six months. 

These tests must be conducted by a professional fire safety company. 

This regular maintenance will ensure that all of your fire alarm systems are working as they should be and can perform correctly if an emergency situation occurs. They will also help to minimise the chance of false alarms and give you the chance to address any problems or organise replacement systems if necessary.   

 

At Millennium Fire Protection, we’ve spent many years supplying a whole host of fire safety products and services to our customers across Harrow, Ealing, Watford and the surrounding areas. This includes a variety of different commercial fire alarm systems and our expert team will be able to help you choose the best option for your premises. Get in touch today to find out more.