GUIDANCE NOTES

Maintenance of Fire Suppression Systems

Inspection type - British Standards
BS5306: Part 4 : 2001
BS5306: Part 5 : Section 5.1 :1992
BS5306: Part 5 : Section 5.2 :1984
BS7273-1: 2000
BS5839-1: 2002
BS14520: Part 1 : 2006

Carbon Dioxide systems - Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises

*Halon Systems - Specification for Halon 1301 total flooding systems
*Halon Systems - Fixed extinguishing installations - Halon 1211 total flooding systems
Electrical actuation of gaseous total flooding extinguishing systems.
Fire Detection and fire alarm systems for buildings
HFC & IG Gaseous fire extinguishing systems - Physical properties & system design

*Note - Under EC Regulation 2037/2000 and Statutory Instrument 528/2002 Halon is to be phased out and Halon fire protection
systems must be decommissioned be 31st December 2003. Should advice be required into the decommissioning procedures and
alternative systems, please contact a member of our Service department on (01282) 717171
BS7273-1/; 2000 (Maintenance - section 10)
Routine testing by the USER
10.1 The user of the installation should ensure that the system is in good working order at all times.
10.2 The user should undertake responsibility for daily and weekly attention in accordance with BS5839-1:2002 section 6 and
BS5306-4:2001 clause 8 as appropriate. Special care should be exercised and training should be given by the service
organisation (Protec fire detection PLC). Should training be required please contact a member of our service department.
10.3 The user of the equipment should carry out weekly visual examination of the fire protection equipment. This should include an
examination of all pressure gauges and a general check that all operating controls are both properly set and accessible and that
all indicators are functioning. It is important that pipework and nozzles are visually checked to ensure that they are not damaged
or obstructed and remain in the designed position.
Inspection & Testing by Protec Fire Detection PLC
10.4 The fire detection system should be inspected and tested in accordance with BS5839-1: 2002 (section 6) 45.2; 45.3 and 45.4
(detailed below). The extinguishing system should be inspected in accordance with BS5306-4: 2001 clause 8 as appropriate.
Records of all inspections and tests, should be maintained (system logbook).
10.5 The extinguishing part of the installation should be inspected at least twice a year by a competent engineer (Protec Fire
detection PLC) and an inspection report made.
10.6 Any extension or alteration to the installation should be carried out by the service organisation.
10.7 A routine maintenance contract for the fire detection system and alarm element of the installation should include during each
visit, the operation of the time delay sounder, the discharge sounder and the operation of the disabled facility in order to test the
system and familiarise the occupier of the protected space.
BS5839-1: 2002 (section 6)
45.2 Recommendation for quarterly inspection of vented batteries
45.3 Recommendation for periodic inspection and test of the system
The period between successive inspection and service visits should be based upon a risk assessment, taking into the type of
system installed, and the environment in which it operates. The period between successive inspection and service visits should
not exceed six months.
45.4 Recommendations for inspection and test of the system over a 12 month period This is in addition to the work recommended in
45.3 During our periodic maintenance visits, the recommendations detailed in section 45.3 will be carried out with a percentage of the
devices tested. Over the periodic maintenance visits, the requirements detailed in section 45.4 will be achieved. Details of the
section tested and percentage of devices will be recorded on this certificate.
The period between successive inspection and service visits will be determined by a risk assessment and the type of system
installed.
BS14520 : Part 1: (2006)
9.2.1
General
9.2.1.1 At least annually, or more frequently as required by the authority, all systems shall be thoroughly inspected and tested for
proper operation by competent personnel.
9.2.1.2 The inspection report with recommendations shall be filed with the owner.
9.2.1.3 At least every 6 months, the container contents shall be checked as follows.
a) Liquefied gases: for halocarbon extinguishants, if a container shows a loss in extinguishant quantity of more than 5% or a loss in
pressure (adjusted for temperature) of more than 10%, it shall be refilled or replaced.
b) Non-liquefied gases: for inert gas extinguishants that are not liquiefied, pressure is an indication of extinguishant quantity.Unless
otherwise specified by the authority, if an inert gas extinguishant container shows a loss in pressure (adjusted for temperature) of more
than 5%, it shall be refilled or replaced. Where container pressure gauges or weight-monitoring devices are used for this purpose, they
shall be compared to a seperate calibrated device at least annually.
BS5306 : Part 4 (Clause 8 - Maintenance)
Every installation shall be inspected at least twice a year by a competent person (Protec Fire Detection PLC).
All gas containers shall be periodically maintained, inspected and tested in accordance with BS5430: Part 1.

Protec Fire Detection plc

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Commentary and recommendations on clause 8.

It is essential that the system be kept in good working order at all times with this responsibility being in no way diminished by any
periodic or regular servicing carried out. It is recommended that a weekly program of inspection or, more frequent if necessary, is
carried out to ensure that components are free from dust and dirt that might impair the efficiency of the system. This also should
include an inspection of the pipework and nozzles to ensure that they are not obstructed, and remain in the designed position, and to
ensure that all operating controls are properly set and that components have not been damaged.
Cylinder Inspections
In accordance with BS EN 1968:2002 cylinders must be pressure tested every 10 years.These tests are not performed under our
standard service contract agreement, however, these tests can be undertaken by Protec as an addition to the service contract.
Enclosure Integrity Test
System integrity tests are not performed under our standard service contract agreement, however the required integrity test can be
undertaken by Protec Fire Detection Plc as an addition to the service contact.
Additional services - Protec fire detection PLC offer a wide range of maintenance which includes the following systems:
Fire Alarms/Detection
Emergency lighting
CCTV
Voice evacuation systems
Air Sampling
Intruder systems
Fire extinguishers
Public address systems
For a free quotation, please contact our customer services on tel: (01282) 717171

Protec Fire Detection plc

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