The Direct Answer
Under BS 5839-1:2025, all commercial fire alarm systems in Norfolk must be serviced by a competent engineer at least twice per year — once every six months. One annual service is not sufficient and does not meet the standard. Weekly tests must also be performed by the responsible person and recorded in the log book.
Complete Fire Alarm Servicing Schedule
Carried out by: Responsible person (in-house)
Manual call point test — one zone per week, rotating. Result recorded in the log book.
Carried out by: Competent fire alarm engineer
Full service: all sounders, all manual call points, representative detector sample, battery load test, panel inspection, fault simulation, documentation.
Carried out by: Competent fire alarm engineer
Full standby battery replacement regardless of apparent condition. New batteries load-tested. Replacement date labelled.
Why Does BS 5839-1:2025 Require Two Services a Year?
The six-monthly frequency isn't arbitrary. Fire alarm systems consist of hundreds of individual components — detectors, sounders, manual call points, control panels, batteries, and cabling — all of which can degrade, fail, or become partially obstructed between visits. Two visits per year ensures:
- All detection devices are tested within a 12-month period (alternating between visits)
- Battery degradation is caught before it causes a system failure
- Faults logged between visits are reviewed and actioned
- Changes to the building (new partitions, extended coverage, personnel changes) are identified and addressed
- The system log is reviewed for any unreported activations or faults
What Happens If You Don't Service Your Fire Alarm Often Enough?
Under-maintained fire alarms are one of the most common enforcement issues the fire authority encounters. Even a single missed service visit can leave you non-compliant — and that has consequences.
Fire Authority Enforcement
Inspectors can issue enforcement notices or prohibition notices (closing your building) if maintenance records show non-compliance.
Insurance Invalidation
Most commercial policies require fire alarm systems to be maintained to BS 5839-1. Under-maintained systems may invalidate your cover.
Failed Fire Risk Assessment
A fire risk assessor will ask to see service certificates. Missing or incomplete records will result in the system being flagged as inadequate.
System Failure in an Emergency
A degraded battery, failed sounder, or obstructed detector could mean the alarm doesn't work when it matters most.
Fire Alarm Servicing Across All of Norfolk
Norfolk Fire Group carry out BS 5839-1:2025 compliant fire alarm services across the whole of Norfolk — no call-out fee for most areas, and same-county engineers who know the area.
Book Your Six-Monthly Fire Alarm Service in Norfolk
FireQual accredited engineers. Full BS 5839-1:2025 compliance. Service certificates issued same day. Covering Norwich, Kings Lynn, Dereham, Great Yarmouth, Thetford, Wymondham and all of Norfolk.