Does a Fire Alarm need to be tested?

Yes, according to the Regulatory Reform Order (R.R.O), fire alarm systems are required to be tested. On commercial buildings the regulatory reform order requires Fire Risk Assessments to be carried out. This also applies in common parts of houses in multiple occupation and blocks of flats and if you have paying guests – e.g. run a bed & breakfast, guest house or let self-catering properties. It is required that a "responsible person" carries and regularly reviews a fire risk assessment of the premises. It is important to tell staff and/or their representatives about the risks you’ve identified, procedures you've put in place. You also need to maintain adequate and appropriate fire safety measures to remove or reduce the risk of life, plan an emergency, provide staff information, fire safety instruction and training. The reform It states that, all premises subject to the Regulatory reform (Fire Safety) Order should have a means of raising the alarm of fire. The arrangements for detection of fire and the means for then warning occupants of the premises need to be considered. 

Normally, the fire risk assessment considers the functionality of a fire detection and fire alarm system, but it does not involve any detailed engineering evaluation of the system. It needs, however, to be confirmed that the fire detection and fire alarm system is subject to routine testing and maintenance, so that faults and major shortcomings are identified by this means (see Clause 16). Moreover, it is normally appropriate for the fire risk assessor to consider whether the fire alarm signal is likely to be audible in all relevant areas of the premises, based on a visual inspection of the locations of sounders or loudspeakers, even though shortcomings are normally identified by routine testing. The fire risk assessment might then recommend, within the action plan that an engineering evaluation, including measurement of sound pressure levels in “suspect” areas, be carried out.

16.2 It should be confirmed that there are arrangements for obtaining competent advice on the requirements of fire safety legislation. The source of such advice should be recorded in the documented fire risk assessment (see Clause 10).

16.3 In the course of the fire risk assessment, the following matters should be considered. Any shortcomings in these matters should be identified in the documented fire risk assessment and should be addressed in the action plan (see Clause 19):

a) the fire procedures, including procedures for people with special responsibilities in the event of fire;

b) the arrangements for summoning the fire and rescue service in the event of fire;

c) the nomination of people to respond to fire, using fire-fighting equipment if appropriate to do so;

d) where appropriate, the nomination of people to /assist with evacuation;

e) arrangements for liaison with the fire and rescue service;

f) arrangements for routine inspections of the premises and their fire precautions;

g) in the case of premises in multiple occupation, arrangements for cooperation and coordination between different occupiers;

h) staff training;

i) fire drills;

j) provision of information to third parties;

k) testing and maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment by a competent person (including systems and equipment installed for use by, or for the safety of, fire fighters);

l) maintenance of the workplace;

m) appropriate records, including, normally, a fire safety manual. 

BS5839 – 144.2 recommendations for weekly testing by the user.