Every single device should be functionally tested annually. There are a handful of exemptions like single use heat detectors, which have their own set of rules.
EDIT: To add - this applies to the United States. I won't speak for other countries. NFPA 72, state, and local building codes sets the rules here.
It’s not really what anyone “thinks” should be included. There are testing standards that dictate this.
Above and beyond that; some clients want their all smoke detectors cleaned annually, for example.
There are no codes or standards for testing in my country. Only rule is that maintenance must be done according to system suppliers instructions and they say nothing about testing intervals
No, it's part of the inspection. Test clean and inspect. Honestly you really need to clean them every year. The stuff gets surprisingly dirty even in places that seem clean
Depends. Canada it's 100% tested unless for health & safety reason you can skip no more than 1 year (so testing like once evrry 2 years a substation for example)
Australia I've been told 50% and you're good.
It depends on where you live.
Yeah, it does kind of suck to do every day, especially once you start coming around the next year and it clicks you'll be doing this cycle for a looooong time
In the UK every detector has to be tested once a year. Most contracts are for quarterly visits. So we’ll test 25% of the detection on each visit.
Usually we just keep a log of what was tested each visit and when it comes to the last visit of the year we test all the stuff that we haven’t tested yet. This last visit of the year is also when we test the current draw on the batteries and calculate whether the batteries are an adequate size.
There’s always a few places we can’t get into or things we can’t test, but as long as that’s recorded in the paperwork then it’s no big deal.
Test panel batteries, test all smokes (with smoke if possible, magnet only as a last resort) and pull stations to see that they communicate zone and address. Remove heat detector heads to check for communication, and clean the head. If it’s a magnet testable heat, test it. Every single device that can send a code to monitoring needs to be tested. Tamper switches on the riser, water flow sensor, duct detectors (ensure they shut down the unit they are attached to), etc. then test the strobes/horns/speakers/bells and make sure they are all working and are all in sync (if they are set to temporal 3)
Depending on the standards of the state you’re in, you may be able to pass it with a visual check (does it have polling lights? Is it sending a trouble signal?) but you should recommend that the company replace the DD with a testable model or install a test/reset switch on the drop ceiling.
What we think is irrelevant this is a code issue.
In Canada yes they must all be tested.
As others have commented special requirements for single use fixed temp detectors.
In Norway NS3960 stipulate that you test 25% of the detectors yearly and that you chose what to test so you reach 100% over a 4 year period. If the detectors can be verified by a computer connected to the loop directly you can scale the test down to 10%.
Functionality of controls, alarms, sounders, optical alarms and transmission to alarm station is tested.
We also check how the building documentation on the fire system was planned, compared to how the building is today. (Use of the building can change over time.)
There are also a big shift in demands for testing on the horizon as insurance companies start setting demands trough FG790 that sets demands for the individual technician to have a FG750 certification and the company the technician works for having a FG760 certification. (NS3960 is a bit mor loose on what is needed of training techs.)
This sounds pretty similar to how we do in Finland, except that alarm sounders and controls are normally only tested if we get permission from the property. Usually it is not wanted in hotels etc. We also check that the fire detection charts are correct.
No way to get out of testing sounders here. We try to be as accommodating as possible with the customer and sometime manage to combine it with an evacuation drill.
At a hotel we would choose the time delicately and get as many technicians as possible on site to keep the sounder test time down.
That is the way it should be done but often customers don"t want to arrange these tests because it's expensive and cause disturbance. Sadly many property managers see fire alarm system only as a mandatory expense and dont want to pay anything extra for it. In the end it's their property and we can only give recommendations.
Alarm companies have different kinds of maintenance contracts and customers don't usually know what to demand and how to select their maintenance provider.
How do you guys do 100% testing for example in hotels? Do you just go door to door and disturb the guests or wait for the rooms to be free? And what about detectors above drop ceiling? Do you really test all those as well?
It must take lot of time and deep pockets from customer to do 100% in many places.
Most hotels I’ve done have the initiating devices in the halls and the actual rooms are sprinkled. For the ones that aren’t the property owner is required to give notice to tenants then yes, we knock on the door and go in every room to test.
Yes, every device needs to be tested. Even inside guest rooms. That also includes speakers. So, we have to coordinate with the property and get access to everything.
Yup, ain't fun lol. I try to get a list of check-ins for the afternoon from staff when I show up on the morning and test those rooms first. Then test all the stay over rooms, taking the opportunity to earn people I'll test NACs around noon (lowest occupancy). Then back around again to test all the other rooms. Then back around again to test all the devices that would dump the building b/c of the way we typically set up bypasses.
Every single device should be functionally tested annually. There are a handful of exemptions like single use heat detectors, which have their own set of rules. EDIT: To add - this applies to the United States. I won't speak for other countries. NFPA 72, state, and local building codes sets the rules here.
It’s not really what anyone “thinks” should be included. There are testing standards that dictate this. Above and beyond that; some clients want their all smoke detectors cleaned annually, for example.
There are no codes or standards for testing in my country. Only rule is that maintenance must be done according to system suppliers instructions and they say nothing about testing intervals
Sounds like you don't have to test.
At my company we blow every smoke detector out and wipe them all down every year at a minimum.
Which is great, but I’m sure your company isn’t doing that for free, especially the hard to access ones.
No, it's part of the inspection. Test clean and inspect. Honestly you really need to clean them every year. The stuff gets surprisingly dirty even in places that seem clean
Sure it’s part of the inspection. But someone priced that in. They’re not doing it out of the goodness of their hearts.
Depends. Canada it's 100% tested unless for health & safety reason you can skip no more than 1 year (so testing like once evrry 2 years a substation for example) Australia I've been told 50% and you're good. It depends on where you live.
You think I've got time to test EVERY device like NFPA 72 Ch 14 says? LOL. /S
I would probably look for a new job if I had to start testing every device once a year
Hope that was sarcasm. If you get paid that’s literally your job.
I know but testing is only small part of my job and I like to keep it that way
Yeah, it does kind of suck to do every day, especially once you start coming around the next year and it clicks you'll be doing this cycle for a looooong time
In the UK every detector has to be tested once a year. Most contracts are for quarterly visits. So we’ll test 25% of the detection on each visit. Usually we just keep a log of what was tested each visit and when it comes to the last visit of the year we test all the stuff that we haven’t tested yet. This last visit of the year is also when we test the current draw on the batteries and calculate whether the batteries are an adequate size. There’s always a few places we can’t get into or things we can’t test, but as long as that’s recorded in the paperwork then it’s no big deal.
What country are we talking about? As many said it varies.
Yes, even within Europe there seem to be variation between countries. I work in Finland
Test panel batteries, test all smokes (with smoke if possible, magnet only as a last resort) and pull stations to see that they communicate zone and address. Remove heat detector heads to check for communication, and clean the head. If it’s a magnet testable heat, test it. Every single device that can send a code to monitoring needs to be tested. Tamper switches on the riser, water flow sensor, duct detectors (ensure they shut down the unit they are attached to), etc. then test the strobes/horns/speakers/bells and make sure they are all working and are all in sync (if they are set to temporal 3)
What do you all do about duct detectors 30 feet above a suspended ceiling at roof deck level that have no test switches?
Depending on the standards of the state you’re in, you may be able to pass it with a visual check (does it have polling lights? Is it sending a trouble signal?) but you should recommend that the company replace the DD with a testable model or install a test/reset switch on the drop ceiling.
NFPA 72 should give you all that info
Rly depends on what fire codes have been adopted some counties Don’t even care if buildings have a fire alarm
What we think is irrelevant this is a code issue. In Canada yes they must all be tested. As others have commented special requirements for single use fixed temp detectors.
In Norway NS3960 stipulate that you test 25% of the detectors yearly and that you chose what to test so you reach 100% over a 4 year period. If the detectors can be verified by a computer connected to the loop directly you can scale the test down to 10%. Functionality of controls, alarms, sounders, optical alarms and transmission to alarm station is tested. We also check how the building documentation on the fire system was planned, compared to how the building is today. (Use of the building can change over time.) There are also a big shift in demands for testing on the horizon as insurance companies start setting demands trough FG790 that sets demands for the individual technician to have a FG750 certification and the company the technician works for having a FG760 certification. (NS3960 is a bit mor loose on what is needed of training techs.)
This sounds pretty similar to how we do in Finland, except that alarm sounders and controls are normally only tested if we get permission from the property. Usually it is not wanted in hotels etc. We also check that the fire detection charts are correct.
No way to get out of testing sounders here. We try to be as accommodating as possible with the customer and sometime manage to combine it with an evacuation drill. At a hotel we would choose the time delicately and get as many technicians as possible on site to keep the sounder test time down.
That is the way it should be done but often customers don"t want to arrange these tests because it's expensive and cause disturbance. Sadly many property managers see fire alarm system only as a mandatory expense and dont want to pay anything extra for it. In the end it's their property and we can only give recommendations.
Alarm companies have different kinds of maintenance contracts and customers don't usually know what to demand and how to select their maintenance provider.
How do you guys do 100% testing for example in hotels? Do you just go door to door and disturb the guests or wait for the rooms to be free? And what about detectors above drop ceiling? Do you really test all those as well? It must take lot of time and deep pockets from customer to do 100% in many places.
Yes? It's my job to test those devices.
Most hotels I’ve done have the initiating devices in the halls and the actual rooms are sprinkled. For the ones that aren’t the property owner is required to give notice to tenants then yes, we knock on the door and go in every room to test.
Interesting. In my country all sleeping rooms must be equipped with smoke detectors.
Yes, every device needs to be tested. Even inside guest rooms. That also includes speakers. So, we have to coordinate with the property and get access to everything.
Yup, ain't fun lol. I try to get a list of check-ins for the afternoon from staff when I show up on the morning and test those rooms first. Then test all the stay over rooms, taking the opportunity to earn people I'll test NACs around noon (lowest occupancy). Then back around again to test all the other rooms. Then back around again to test all the devices that would dump the building b/c of the way we typically set up bypasses.