Fire Alarm Testing & Smoke Alarm Testing

BS 5839-1 compliant fire alarm testing and smoke alarm testing for blocks of flats, HMOs, workplaces and commercial premises across Bournemouth, Poole, Dorset and Hampshire — so your alarm sounds when it matters most.

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Our certificates & Accreditations

Who Needs Fire Alarm Testing?

If your building has a fire alarm system, regular testing is a legal duty. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must keep fire detection and warning systems in efficient working order, and BS 5839-1 recommends a weekly test of a different manual call point, with every result recorded in the fire safety logbook. Where a property relies on smoke alarms rather than a panel system, those alarms still need regular testing and records to prove they work. An untested alarm can fail silently, leaving occupants without warning and exposing you to enforcement action and invalidated insurance.

Safetec engineer using a smoke detector test pole in a hallway

Blocks of Flats & Communal Areas

Communal alarm systems protect every resident, so regular call point tests and records are essential.

HMOs & Rented Property

Shared houses need tested, interlinked detection so every tenant hears the alarm, day or night.

Offices & Commercial Premises

Employers must keep fire warning systems working so staff get an early, clear alert to evacuate.

Retail & Hospitality

Shops, pubs, restaurants and hotels need alarms that reach customers and guests in every area.

Schools & Education

Pupils and staff rely on a loud, reliable alarm and a well-rehearsed evacuation routine.

Industrial & Warehousing

Large or noisy spaces need sounders and beacons tested to confirm the warning is heard and seen.

What Our Fire Alarm Testing Includes

On each scheduled visit we activate a different manual call point in rotation, confirm the control panel receives the signal and check that sounders and visual alarms operate throughout the building. We note any faults shown on the panel, check that call points and detectors are unobstructed and undamaged, and record the date, time, call point and outcome in your fire safety logbook. Where your property has smoke alarms instead of a panel system, we test each alarm and record the results. Any issues are reported to you promptly with clear recommendations, and faults can be passed straight to our fire alarm servicing team.

1. Book & Get a Free Quote

Tell us about your property and alarm system for a free, no-obligation quotation.

2. Agree Your Test Schedule

We set a regular day and time so residents and staff know when to expect the test.

3. Call Point & Sounder Checks

A different call point is activated each visit to confirm the whole system responds.

4. Logbook & Fault Reporting

Every test recorded, with any faults reported and clear next steps.

Google Reviews

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Casey Craig profile picture
Casey Craig
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I contacted Safetec Protection feeling rather desperate, needing rapid assistance with some fire door inspections and I was immediately put at ease by Dean. He secured an appointment for me and Harvey attended to deal with the inspections only a few days later. Amazing! Not only that, but they managed to get the written report over to me really quickly as well because they knew the timescale I was up against. They helped me out so much and truly went above and beyond and I am so grateful. I would highly recommend Safetec Protection to anyone, excellent service!
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Andy Collins profile picture
Andy Collins
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After 2 years of complete lies from bogus FRA companies in Portsmouth -we finally decided to get a local report in our area . The report and service we received from Dean was Outstanding ! We Highly recommend this company! An Honest-Transparent -friendly and fairly priced company that we will be using from now on for all of of FRA inspections ✅
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Joshy Cho profile picture
Joshy Cho
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Reliable, easy to communicate with and professional service.
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Emily Harte profile picture
Emily Harte
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I contacted Dean on the Friday morning for a Fire Risk Assessment. The assessment was carried out on the Monday, with the report in my email inbox by Wednesday morning. Brilliant service.
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Paul P profile picture
Paul P
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Fabulous service by Dean and the team. Dean has been very professional, friendly and helpful in helping me gain the fire assessment for our property. He arrived on time and as advised, produced a timely professional report and offered advice on remedial works which I intend to follow up on. If you need any help with this type of service in the area I can highly recommend the Safetec team, thanks!
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Carpet Barn Bed Store
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Great service from start to finish. They were efficient when surveying for our requirements and provided a competitive quote quickly. They since carried out the works to our stores and delivered as promised. Would highly recommend.
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4 A profile picture
4 A
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George attended our building and was friendly, professional and helpful. The report he produced was comprehensive and shows where we need to make improvements, would definitely recommend.
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Raymond Hatchard profile picture
Raymond Hatchard
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First class business dealt with my priority situation immediately would have no hesitation in recommending Safetec Protection,
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Nigel Ward profile picture
Nigel Ward
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Fantastic business gave me some expert advice highly recommended
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Nathan Granger profile picture
Nathan Granger
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Easy to deal with and reliable with routine testing of emergency lights and fire alarms.

Services we offer

Fire Door Inspection

An alarm gives people time to escape; fire doors hold back smoke and flames while they do. Our fire door inspections check every door on your escape routes.

Health & Safety

Our health and safety reports cover the wider risks in your communal areas, from trip hazards and electrics to security and signage.

Fire Risk Assessments

Your fire risk assessment reviews whether your detection and warning system suits the building. Our PAS 79-compliant fire risk assessments check it alongside every other fire precaution.

Emergency Lighting

When the alarm sounds, occupants need to see their way out. Our emergency light testing can run on the same visits as your alarm tests.

Testing & Maintenance

Testing tells you something is wrong; servicing puts it right. Pair regular testing with six-monthly fire alarm servicing and AOV testing for one provider and one set of records.

Safetec Protection consultant preparing a fire safety report

Fire Alarm & Logbook Essentials from Our Shop

Record every test in a fire safety log book, and pick up replacement smoke alarms and specialist alarm devices from our shop with fast delivery.

Areas We Cover

Safetec Protection provides fire alarm testing and smoke alarm testing across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and throughout Dorset and Hampshire, including Southampton and Portsmouth. Based in Poole, our local team keeps your testing schedule on track, whether you manage a single block or a multi-site portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should fire alarms be tested in the UK?

Fire alarm systems in commercial buildings and blocks of flats must be tested weekly according to British Standard BS 5839. Each week, a different manual call point should be activated to verify the alarm sounds correctly and the control panel receives the signal. Additionally, a comprehensive inspection by a competent person should be conducted at least every six months to ensure full system compliance and identify any potential issues before they become critical failures.

A fire alarm test involves activating a manual call point to check that the alarm sounds properly and the control panel receives the signal. The test verifies that all notification devices (sounders and visual alarms) are working correctly. Each test should be conducted at the same time and day each week, with different call points tested in rotation. All tests must be recorded in a fire safety logbook, including the date, time, location of the call point tested, and any faults discovered.

The “responsible person” as defined under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is legally obliged to ensure fire alarms are tested regularly. This person can be the building owner, landlord, facilities manager, or an appointed designate. While the responsible person or trained staff can conduct weekly tests, professional fire alarm engineers must perform the more comprehensive six-monthly or annual inspections to verify compliance with BS 5839 standards and insurance requirements.

The cost of fire alarm testing depends on the size of your building, the number of call points and how often you need visits. We provide a free, no-obligation quote for every property, and discounted rates are available when fire alarm testing is combined with emergency light testing, AOV testing or fire risk assessments.

Failing to test fire alarms regularly can have serious consequences. The system may develop undetected faults, rendering it non-functional during an actual fire emergency. This puts occupants at severe risk and can result in delayed evacuations, injuries, or fatalities. Additionally, non-compliance with fire safety regulations can lead to substantial fines, prosecution under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, invalidated insurance coverage, and potential liability for damages in the event of a fire-related incident.

Yes, before conducting a fire alarm test, you must notify several parties. First, inform all building occupants that a test will take place to prevent unnecessary panic or evacuation. Second, contact your Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) or monitoring company to prevent them from dispatching emergency services. Third, ensure the test is conducted at a consistent time each week so occupants become familiar with the schedule. After the test, document the results in your fire safety logbook as required by UK regulations.

Fire Alarm Testing Made Simple

We take care of your fire alarm testing schedule from start to finish — a different call point tested each visit, every result logged and any faults reported with clear next steps. Combine your alarm tests with emergency lighting and AOV testing for a multi-package discount, and let us keep your building compliant with BS 5839-1 while you focus on managing it.

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