Question:
Don't know if anyone here can help, but here goes. Amongst the myriad of systems I am responsible for maintaining at my place of work, there is a zoned fire alarm system. This system is linked to our RedCare along with the security systems. I am aware that NACOS approval is required to work on the security system and the insurers insist on an approved contractor doing this work. But having checked with them, they have no such requirement for the Fire Alarm system. Also I am real cheesed off with the sort of callout and repair charges I am picking up from the existing installers / maintainers. So, time has come for me to get my head around this system. OK, it aint rocket science but it would be nice to know about the in's and outs of the thing before I commit to maintaining it. Are there any formal courses for an intro into these systems? Failing that, if there is anyone in the NE that knows these systems, do you fancy training fee?

Answer: Well that is brave of you - not the offering to do training, but admitting that your employer doesn't have a Fire Risk Assessment in place - criminal offence As you may have seen here last month, there is a requirement to carry out Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly and Annual inspections of a fire alarm system. The first 3 are normally carried out by a "competent person" nominated by the company whilst the last two are carried out by a "qualified person" who is brought in on a contract basis to check out the system. It isn't normally expected that a works engineer would carry out frontline servicing/testing of fire systems in the same way as you wouldn't expect to service security systems or check and fill extinguishers. All are safety of life and property systems - in that order, property can be rebuilt people can't. I would suggest your insurers may have given you false information - perhaps it was the person you spoke to - if you don't have a maintenance contract in place and building burns down this weekend the insurers will use that as grounds for not paying up ! As to costs, there are ways of ensuring you are not taken for a ride By all means contact me direct for any further advice