Fire safety checks for responsible persons, daily to yearly

Daily

• Fire alarm panel: check it shows normal operation, and that any fault shown yesterday has been dealt with.
• Emergency lighting: for maintained systems, check the lamps are lit; check any central battery or generator panel shows normal.
• Sprinklers: check the connection to the fire service is working (unless it is monitored automatically) and pressure tanks are correct.
• Doors held open on automatic releases: release them.
• Extinguishers and hose reels: check they are all in place and none have been used or damaged.

Weekly

• Fire alarm test: operate a different manual call point each week, at about the same time, and record which one in the logbook (BS 5839-1 clause 42.1).
• Sprinklers: record gauge readings, test the alarm valve and water motor alarm, check pumps start.
• Smoke control: simulate operation and check fans, vents and dampers respond.
• Evacuation and firefighting lifts: test the switches.
• Fire hydrants: check access is clear and valves are locked open.

Monthly

• Emergency lighting: a short function test of every light and exit sign by simulating a mains failure (BS 5266-1 and BS 9999 Annex I).
• Standby generator: start it by simulating a mains failure and run it on load for at least an hour (BS 5839-1 clause 42.2).
• Doors on hold-open devices and automatic doors: test that they close or fail safe when power is cut or the fire alarm operates, and record the result.
• Panic and emergency exit devices: check they open easily.
• Hose reels: visual check for leaks and free movement.

Every three months

• Smoke control: simulate operation of every zone separately.
• Vented fire alarm batteries: examination by someone competent with batteries (BS 5839-1 clause 43.1).

Every six months

Every year

The annual items should be carried out by competent people, with any defects logged and certificates obtained.

Records the responsible person should keep

Beyond the checks, a responsible person usually holds records for work done by others: the fire risk assessment (which BS 9792 says should have both a review date and a date for a full reassessment, set by the assessor), gas safety, the electrical installation condition report, lift thorough examinations, legionella and asbestos surveys. Keeping each one with its renewal date, and a reminder before it lapses, is the simplest way to avoid a gap an inspector will find.

Common questions

What fire safety checks should be done weekly?

Test the fire alarm by operating a different manual call point each week and recording it in the logbook (BS 5839-1 clause 42.1). BS 9999 Annex I also lists weekly checks for sprinklers, smoke control, lift switches and fire hydrants where fitted.

How often should fire doors be inspected?

Every six months, according to BS 9999 (I.6.2) and BS 9991 (I.6.3), checking seals, the door leaf, gaps, closers and hinges.

How often should emergency lighting be tested?

A short function test every month, and a full rated duration test with an inspection of every light at least once a year (BS 5266-1:2025).

Who is responsible for fire safety checks?

The responsible person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, usually the employer, owner or managing agent. Routine checks can be delegated to trained staff; servicing and annual tests should be done by competent people.

How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?

BS 9792:2025 says there is no fixed frequency: the fire risk assessor sets a date to review the assessment and a date for a full new one, based on the building and its risk. It should also be reviewed after any significant change or a fire.