How often should a commercial fire alarm be serviced?
BS 5839-1 recommends a service by a competent person at intervals of no more than 6 months, and a weekly test by the user, operating a different manual call point each week. The Fire Safety Order requires the system to be kept in efficient working order, and BS 5839-1 is how most fire risk assessors judge that.
What is due, and how often.
Checked November 2026.
| Check | How often | Who does it | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| User test: operate one manual call point | Every week, a different call point each time | Your staff or site team | BS 5839-1:2025 |
| Inspection and servicing | At least every 6 months | Competent fire alarm engineer | BS 5839-1:2025; Fire Safety Order 2005, art. 17 |
| Logbook entries | Every test, service, fault and false alarm | Responsible person | BS 5839-1:2025 |
| Fire risk assessment review (covers the alarm category) | Regularly, and when anything changes | Responsible person or fire risk assessor | Fire Safety Order 2005, art. 9 |
This is a guide, not legal advice. What your building needs depends on its use, size, risk and equipment, and standards are revised. Check with your competent people and the current official sources.
What to keep on file.
- The system logbook: weekly tests, services, faults, false alarms and work done.
- The service certificate from each 6-monthly visit, with any defects listed.
- Design, installation and commissioning certificates, and the zone plan.
What catches people out.
- The 2025 edition of BS 5839-1 replaced the 2017 edition in April 2025. If your service contract or certificates still quote 2017, ask your engineer what changed for your system.
- Six months is the maximum gap, not a target. A fire risk assessment can call for more frequent visits in larger or higher-risk buildings.
- Weekly tests should be at roughly the same time each week, so people learn that a short ring at that time is a test.
- Homes in multi-occupied buildings follow BS 5839-6, and Scotland uses the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 instead of the Fire Safety Order.
Dueclear tracks every due date for every building.
Each inspection gets its interval, its rule and an owner. Dueclear reminds the owner from 60 days ahead, and your contractor uploads the new certificate from a link, no account needed.
FAQ
Is fire alarm servicing a legal requirement?
The Fire Safety Order requires fire alarms to be maintained in efficient working order. It does not set an interval, but BS 5839-1's 6-monthly service is the accepted way to show you comply.
How often should a fire alarm be tested?
Weekly by the user, using a different manual call point each time, plus a service by a competent engineer at least every 6 months.
What goes in a fire alarm logbook?
Every weekly test, service, fault, false alarm and repair, with dates and who did it.
Sources: FIA: BS 5839-1:2025, strengthening the foundations of fire safety · Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, article 17
More guides: Emergency lighting testing · Fire extinguisher servicing · Fire door inspections