Weekly Fire Alarm Test

Weekly Fire Alarm Test - What is required?

A Fire Alarm System should be tested each week by the person on the site responsible for the fire alarm system.  This test is carried out by activating one of the call points on the system in order to set the fire alarm into an alarm state.  Call Point Keys should be used to activate the system.

Manual Call Points (MCPs) are referred to or referenced by different names in various regions worldwide like Break Glass Units (BGs), Pull Stations, Push Buttons, Alarm Points, etc.

When should a Manual Call Point be used? In the event of a fire in a building; or if there is no automatic detection activated by the installed heat & smoke detection or any other detectors; or if you discover the fire personally and if there is an emergency condition – you need to activate the Manual Call Point to trigger the Fire Detection And Alarm System (FDAS) in the building so that the system initiates the necessary notification devices and sends signals to many other third party systems (Voice Evacuation, Emergency Lighting, Smoke Control, Lifts, etc.) in the building.

These are specialist keys which allow the call point to be tested without breaking the glass in the call point.

There are various types of call point keys available.  The type of key used should match the manufacturer of the call point.  Once activated the responsible person should check that the sounders and beacons on the system are working correctly and also that the correct zone and call point location (if applicable) is indicated on the main fire alarm control panel.  A different call point should be tested each week so that different areas of the system are tested week by week.

Once the weekly test has been completed a record of the test should be recorded in the Fire Alarm Log Book.  This log book should be used to record all events on the fire alarm system.

In additional to the weekly test on the fire alarm system.  The main fire alarm panel should be checked visually every day to check if there are any fault warning indications displayed on the panel.  This visual check does not need to be recorded in the fire alarm log book.

How to Activate a Manual Call Point? There are different types of manual call points.
1. Break Glass Unit – Break the glass, and then the signal will be sent to the system
2. Pull Station – Pull the lever, and then the signal will be sent to the system
3. Break Glass with Double Action cover – Lift the cover and break the Glass
4. Pull Station with double action cover – Lift the cover and pull the lever
5. Push Button type – Push the button, and the signal will be sent to the system

There are many different types; most often, when installed for FDAS, they are installed in red housing or casing for easy identification; however, in some jurisdictions, these can be other colours for architectural aesthetical purposes. It is always important to check with the authority having jurisdiction and to ensure the MCPs are readily recognisable, easily identified and signed as per the local guidelines and regulations.

As per UAE Fire and Life Safety Code:
🔥 The manual call points shall be used only for fire alarm initiation. In addition, all manual call points within an occupancy shall be of similar design.
🔥 Distribution of the manual call points should be such that the travel distance should not be more than 61m to reach the nearest manual call point.
🔥 These figures are to be reduced to 25m and 16m in limited mobility areas and where processes of the area result in a likelihood of rapid-fire development.
🔥 A Manual Call Point shall be installed within 1.5 m from the exit door opening.
🔥 The manual call points shall be installed generally at the height of 1.2 m, above floor level, and in plain, accessible, well-lit, and free-hindrances places.

If you would like to discuss further with us on MCPs and FDAS, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our technical experts.