Can you tell me the time interval for testing our fire alarm under the requirements of BS 5839 (2011). We test weekly alternating the testing points throughout our pavilion and we have an annual test of our extinguishers. We also had the fire alarm control box and emergency lights tested 6 months ago. However our contractor believes that the box and lights have to be tested on a 6 monthly basis. We checked with our Fire Authority Fire Prevention Officer and he said that he believed the test requirement to be 12 monthly. As the regulation seems to be constantly updated could you please advise me how often we need to test?

It's only £45 cost but as we are a charity we want to be in full compliance but we do not want to spend money unnecessarily.

Thanks

Fire alarms need to be tested weekly, monthly in house, and minimum of six monthly, twelve monthly by a competent person. Check out

http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-alarms/.

Emergency lighting should be checked daily, monthly and annually. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/emergency-lighting/.