Fire Alarm Servicing and Maintenance

A neglected fire alarm system is a liability long before it fails to detect a fire: costly false alarms, a failed fire-safety audit, invalidated insurance, and personal liability for the duty-holder – with the occupants who depend on early warning left exposed. Regular fire alarm servicing closes that gap.

In the year to March 2025, 42% of fire safety audits in England were unsatisfactory – the lowest compliance rate since 2011. (Home Office)

It’s also a legal requirement. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, fire detection and alarm systems must be kept in efficient working order. The British Standard code of practice, BS 5839-1:2025, sets servicing at least every six months by a competent person.

Who is responsible for fire alarm system maintenance?

The Responsible Person – usually the building’s owner, employer, occupier or managing agent, must ensure compliance with UK fire safety legislation. Under the Order, they must ensure a competent person carries out professional fire alarm servicing to keep the fire alarm system in working order.

A BS 5839-1 fire alarm service is a visual inspection and functional test of your whole fire alarm system, on the six-monthly rhythm the standard requires. Every device is checked, every fault logged, and you leave with the paperwork that proves it:

Repairs & component replacement

Most providers inspect; we also fix. Where possible, our engineers repair faults and replace common parts on the same visit – detectors, sounders, manual call points, panel components – so a fault found is a fault cleared, not a second appointment. Larger work is quoted separately.

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We service all the main types of fire alarm system: addressable, conventional and radio (wireless), plus disabled refuge systems – across major brands including C-Tec, Advanced, Apollo and EMS, whatever fire detection you run.

We work across commercial, industrial, care home, HMO, hotel, retail and construction-site premises. In a house in multiple occupation (HMO), the common areas carry their own fire alarm duties, which fall to the landlord or managing agent (see the FAQs).

BS 5839-1 sorts fire alarm systems into categories by what they protect:

Not sure which category your premises needs? We’ll confirm it on survey.

Choosing who services your fire alarm is a compliance decision. Few providers match AJK’s mix of accreditation, breadth and track record:

• BAFE SP203-1 registered – independent, third-party proof of competence. About our BAFE accreditation.
• 35+ years in business – a family-led building services contractor that competes on doing it right, not on price.
• A full accreditation stack – FIA, NSI, NICEIC, CHAS, SafeContractor, Constructionline, ISO 45001/14001 and the Armed Forces Covenant (Silver).
• Trusted on regulated estates – MOD-approved, with work for the NHS and Formula 1 teams.
• Professional fire alarm engineers, UK-wide from a Wiltshire base – searching “fire alarm maintenance near me”? We work nationwide from Tidworth.

Combined fire & security maintenance

Fire alarms rarely stand alone. As one trusted fire and security contractor, AJK keeps your fire alarm system (BAFE SP203-1), emergency lighting (BAFE SP203-4) and CCTV compliant under one maintenance contract – one team for your whole fire protection estate.

How often should a fire alarm be serviced?

Regular servicing should occur at least every six months by a competent person, under BS 5839-1 – two visits a year.

Is fire alarm servicing a legal requirement?

Yes – the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires systems to be kept in working order, and BS 5839-1 sets six-monthly servicing.

Who is responsible for fire alarm maintenance?

The Responsible Person – owner, employer, occupier or managing agent. The duty can’t be delegated away.

What’s included in a fire alarm maintenance contract – and do I need one?

An annual contract (planned preventative maintenance) covers your six-monthly visits, logbook upkeep, a compliance certificate and out-of-hours call-out. It’s not compulsory, but it’s the simplest way to prove compliance to auditors and insurers.

How much does fire alarm servicing cost?

It depends on your system – device count, number of sites, and one-off visit versus annual contract. We price to your building, not a flat rate.

Do you repair faults on the same visit?

Where possible, yes – detectors, sounders, manual call points and panel components repaired or replaced on the visit; larger work quoted separately.

How often should fire alarms be tested?

Weekly, separately from servicing – the Responsible Person runs a quick user test from a different call point each week. Fire alarm testing is a separate service we also provide.

Do you cover HMOs and commercial premises?

Yes – we provide fire protection services for commercial, industrial, and HMO premises alike. In an HMO, the landlord or managing agent must keep common-area fire alarms maintained, to the same BS 5839-1 standard.

Book your fire alarm servicing and maintenance with a BAFE SP203-1 registered team. Speak to Kevan Pollard, our Fire & Security Contracts Manager, for a service or contract scoped to your premises – no obligation.

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