Fire alarms alert occupants in the event of a fire and in doing so can prevent loss of life. Getting your tenants aware of any fire in the building as quickly as possibly can be crucial to save lives.
Under the Regulatory Reform (fire safe) Order 2005, all premises in England and Wales used for non-domestic purposes, with a small number of exceptions, must abide by these regulations.
Most commercial properties will require a fire alarm system under the Regulations, with the exception of smaller premises that do not store high-risk substances, where it is easy to see a fire developing and where a shout of ‘fire’ would be heard by all occupants in the building. Higher risk businesses, however, (e.g. restaurants), are strongly advised to install fire alarms as an additional safeguard.
The Regulations provide that every effort is made to ensure a fire alarm system is suitably maintained in good working order; that it is regularly tested; that the person undertaking the testing and maintenance is a competent person and, in some cases, that the person is certified and approved to the fire industry standards.
Fire alarm servicing is also an obligation for employers under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974.