Fire Alarm Testing – Flats

Test Dates and Alarm System Information

Fire Alarms will be tested on the first and third Monday of each month between 0930 and 1030. You do not have to evacuate if you hear an alarm at these times unless the alarm goes on for longer than 5 minutes.

  • April 20th – Done – Peter Wilson and Haward Soper. Minor problem in no 8 reported to supplier
  • May 4th and 18th
  • June 1st and 15th
  • July 6th and 20th
  • August 3rd and 17th
  • Sept 7th and 21st
  • Oct 5th and 19th
  • Nov 2nd and 17th
  • Dec 7th and 21st

A new schedule for 2027 in time to alert you to the dates in 2027 but it will follow this year’s schedule of the first and third Monday in the month at 0930-1030

Fire Alarm System - Flats 1-6

The fire alarm system installed in Flats 1-6 is a hybrid, Grade D, Category LD2 system, with consistent Aico equipment, installed over time by various contractors but created as a system by Re-Lek of Leicester and approved in principle by David Black, the Fire Risk Assessor. Dr C Haward Soper, the Responsible Person under the 2022 Building Safety Act has determined that these precautions are proportionate to the risk of fire and suitable for the unusual configuration of Flats 1-6.

The system comprises

  • Four Manual Call points, one at the exit door to Flats 1,2 &6, and one at the exit door from the Common Area outside Flats 3-5.
  • A Heat or Fire Detector in each kitchen or in the case of Flat 1 kitchen area
  • A Smoke Detector in the main room or the main circulation area of each flat, plus a further Smoke Detector at the bedroom level of Flat 5, one in the sun room at Flat 5 and a further Smoke Detector in the rear office area in Flat 4
  • A Smoke Detector in the meter cupboard below the walkway and adjacent to Flat 1
  • Three Smoke Detectors in the Common Area outside Flats 3-5
  • An interlink device installed outside the meter cupboard and under the walkway in the basement

The system may be triggered either by one of the detectors detecting heat or smoke, in which case all detectors will sound, or by a Manual Call Point being activated in which case all detectors will sound.

In time the system may be linked to the systems yet to be specified and installed in Flats 7-12 and 14-26.

It is the responsibility of each resident to ensure that the fire and smoke detectors in their flats are in good condition and to replace batteries as and when necessary. Other items, including the Manual Call Points, will be maintained and repaired from Service Charge funds.

Aico suggest a weekly test of MCPs but in our case that would imply four tests per week which is too burdensome. Our test regime should be a weekly visual test of each MCP, meaning that as Aico says: –

a) Check that the light on the front flashes green every 40 seconds. This indicates it has power.

We will not record these tests but it will form part of the monthly report

System Monthly Test

The Test Schedule sets out what should be tested when and by whom. See the following section. This test is a whole system test. Each month we will agree the specific test process.

System Test

We will select a detector to trigger and then carry out a check that all detectors in the system have been triggered; see the process below.

MCP Test

Press the black spot and the white element will drop down exposing the yellow edge to show it is activated. The light will turn red and stay on continuously for 3 seconds and then continue to flash red (every 20 seconds) for 5 minutes indicating transmission of the alarm signal (Note: after 5 minutes the RF alarm signal ceases and therefore the smoke alarms will stop alarming. This prevents the batteries in the Manual Call Point and the alarm from being depleted).

Once the red light is flashing you need to make an audio check that all smoke and fire detectors are making an audible alarm signal. This requires, as a minimum: –

  • a walk along the basement outside Flats 1&2, listening for alarms in Flats 1&2 and the meter cupboard
  • a listen at the front door and kitchen window of flat 6,
  • a listen at the doors to flats 3-5
  • a check that the three alarms in the common hallway are active.

If any of the flats are occupied endeavour to check by discussion with residents or if allowed entering the flat to make a check.

Although the system will cease the test after 5 minutes you will have to reset the Manual Call Point used to trigger the test.

As shown above insert the key into the MCP and slide the bottom housing down (key not shown in this picture).

Remove the plastic key. Now push the bottom housing firmly against the back and slide upwards. This resets the switch. The yellow strip on the white element should now be hidden. Check that the Manual Call Point has reset. If the Manual Call Point is not reset the light will flash red every 40 seconds to remind you to reset it.

Battery Life

Aico goes on to discuss the battery life, which should be ten years from May 2025: –

If the light flashes amber every 9 seconds, this indicates that the batteries are depleted, and the Manual Call Point will no longer be able to send an alarm signal. The unit must be removed from its location and returned for repair if within the guarantee period …. If the end of life has been reached dispose according to local guidelines and regulations …

Tests are set by Haward Soper and recorded by him.