Inspection and Testing Fire Protection Equipment
A summary of the recommended tests for some fire protection systems and equipment is given below. More extensive details of the tests may be found in the relevant Irish Standard. Reference should also be made to the relevant guidance for a particular premises type, such as the Code of Practice for the Management of Fire Safety Certificate in Places of Assembly. Fire Extinguishers
MONTHLY: All fire extinguishers should be inspected to make sure that appliances are in their proper position, have not been discharged or lost pressure (in the case of extinguishers fitted with a pressure indicator) or suffered obvious damage. Any extinguishers that are not available for use should be replaced by serviceable extinguishers. The frequency of inspections may need to be increased for premises where extinguishers are subject to tampering, damage, vandalism or malicious mischief
ANNUALLY: A more thorough examination of extinguishers (a detailed description of which is given in) should be carried out by a person with the necessary training and experience, and with access to the requisite tools, equipment and information.. Extinguishers should be discharged periodically in accordance with the provisions of I.S. 291: 2002. When discharge is taking place the opportunity to train staff in the use of extinguishers should be taken.
Hose Reels
In accordance with BS 5306-1: 2006 the maintenance and testing of hose reels should be in accordance
with IS EN 671-3: 2009. (If booster pumps have been installed, these and their associated mechanical
and electrical equipment should also be checked.
Emergency Lighting System
Maintenance, inspection and testing of emergency lighting systems should be in accordance with Section
16 of I.S. 3217: 2013. Daily, weekly, quarterly and annual inspections and testing should be carried out by competent persons and relevant certification retained for inspection.
Samples of the relevant quarterly report and annual certificate are included in this register.
Fire Detection And Alarm System
Maintenance, inspection and testing of the fire detection and alarm system should be in accordance with Section 9.2 of I.S. 3218: 2013. Daily, weekly, quarterly and annual inspections and testing should be carried out by competent persons and relevant certification retained for inspection.
Gas Installations
The following guidance is set out in Annex E of IS 820: 2010 and deals with safety inspections of existing non-domestic installations (Any reference contained in text below is to IS 820:2010).
General
Annex E sets out a method by which existing installations, already constructed and commissioned shall
be inspected to ensure that it is safe for continued operation. The inspection shall be carried out by a
competent person authorised to do so by the operator on an occasional basis or as part of a planned
maintenance programme, see 10.2, or Competent persons shall, on behalf of the gas supplier, carry out
an inspection:
– in the immediate aftermath of a reported abnormal situation (see 10.3), or
– prior to re-supplying a premises or part thereof (see 10.7).
Scope of inspection
The following essentials to the safe use of gas and gas appliances shall be checked:
-Pipework: soundness of pipework, and visible condition of exposed sections; and
-Appliances: visual evidence of appropriate location, availability of sufficient combustion air and the existence of a connected effective flue, when required.
Required actions:
1. Should the inspection reveal an unsafe situation the installation shall be taken out of use or
shall not be brought into use pending full rectification and the issuing of a declaration of
conformance, see clause 9.
2. Should the inspection reveal aspects of the installation which do not conform to the
requirements of this standard or which are otherwise found unsatisfactory but is deemed safe
to operate then a Notification of Hazard shall be issued to the operator by the competent, authorised person conducting the inspection.
3. A specimen of a Notification of Hazard is contained in Annex D.3
Soundness test of an existing installation When soundness testing an existing installation a fitness test as required in 7.1.4 is considered appropriate. Appliances or other parts of the installation, which can be shut down separately and secured in the closed position, may be isolated and the gas supply provided/restored to the remaining sections of the installation which prove to be soun
d. Visual inspection of exposed pipework
There shall be no evidence of physical damage or mechanical failure. The integrity of the pipework
shall not be threatened by corrosion.
Appliance location
A visual check shall establish that the appliance is located in accordance with manufacturer’s
recommendations, with the requirements of this Standard and, bearing in mind site conditions, a
location where it can be operated safely.
Combustion air
A visual inspection/ measurement shall establish that sufficient combustion air is permanently available
to the appliance in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. Where there is doubt about the
adequacy of the permanent supply of combustion air,reference shall be made to 11.7 of this Standard.
Adequacy of connected flue Atmospheric flues, with the appliance operating or
with the introduction of an available alternative heat source, shall be checked by appropriate means to establish that a positive up draft is available and there is no noticeable spillage from the appliance. Flues which operate with forced or assisted draft shall be checked to establish that the appliance served can not be operated in the event of fan failure/non -availability.
When reasonably practical, flues shall be visually inspected to establish the absence of corrosion,
damage or other deterioration which might affect the structure or integrity of the flue.
Where reasonably practical, the flue terminal shall be inspected to confirm that it is correctly located
and the opening is not obstructed and is free from combustible material.
General Wiring
1. All new electrical installations or a major alterations or an extension to an existing installation
shall, after completion, be inspected and tested by a competent person and a certificate of test
be obtained verifying that the relevant requirements of the ETCI National Rules for Electrical
Installations.
2. All existing installations shall be tested by a competent person in an appropriate manner at an
interval determined by risk assessment having regard to the nature, location and use of the installation (but not greater than five years) and a report, conforming to Annex 62A of the ETCI National Rules for Electrical Installations, of the test be completed by the competent person carrying out the test. Any works required to make the installation safe for use detailed in this report shall be carried out and a new report be completed by a competent person.