How Often Does a Fire Alarm Need Servicing?

The short answer

A fire alarm in a business, school, care home, block of flats or any other non-domestic building should be serviced by a competent person at least every six months under BS 5839-1. The responsible person should also test it every week.

This applies whether you have a small conventional panel in a shop or a large addressable system across several floors. Servicing more often can make sense for complex buildings, places with lots of false alarms or harsh conditions like dust and heat. Six months is the longest gap BS 5839-1 recommends.

Who is responsible for fire alarm maintenance?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the “responsible person” must make sure fire safety systems are kept in efficient working order and good repair. This is usually the employer, the building owner, the landlord or the managing agent. If a fire alarm fails because it was not maintained, the responsible person can face enforcement action, and insurers may refuse a claim.

Fire alarm testing and servicing schedule

Every week: call point test

Activate one manual call point, using the test key, to check the panel receives the signal and the sounders work. Use a different call point each week in rotation so every one is tested over time. Do it at the same time each week so staff recognise it as a test. Record it in the logbook.

Every month: check for faults and generator

If the building has a standby generator that supports the fire alarm, it should be checked monthly. It is also good practice to check the panel and logbook for any faults that have not been dealt with.

Every six months: full service by a competent person

At each service visit our engineers typically:

Every twelve months: all devices tested

Over a twelve-month period every detector, call point and sounder should be functionally tested, usually split across the two six-monthly visits. Smoke detectors should be tested with a suitable test aerosol or tool, not just by looking at them.

Homes and rented properties

Fire alarms in homes, HMOs and many flats are covered by BS 5839-6 instead. Smoke and heat alarms in a Grade D system should be tested at least monthly by pressing the test button. Grade A systems (with a panel, common in larger HMOs) need servicing by a competent person every six months, like a commercial system. Landlords in England must also follow the smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations.

What about emergency lighting?

Emergency lighting is usually serviced on the same visit. BS 5266-1 calls for a short monthly function test and a full-duration (normally three-hour) test once a year. See our emergency lighting service for more detail.

Signs your fire alarm needs attention sooner

How much does fire alarm servicing cost?

The cost depends on the number of devices, the type of panel and whether the system is monitored. A small conventional system in a shop or office takes far less time than an addressable system in a school or care home. We give a fixed price per visit after a quick survey, with no tie-in, and we look after most makes of panel. Call 01274 599888 or send us your details for a quote.

Salts Fire & Security is BAFE SP203-1 registered and SSAIB certificated, based in Baildon. We service fire alarms across Bradford, Leeds, Halifax, Huddersfield, Wakefield and the rest of Yorkshire. Read about the latest BS 5839-1:2025 changes.

Common questions

Last reviewed 04/11/2026 by the Salts Fire & Security team, Baildon. This is general guidance; your fire risk assessment and the full standard take priority.