Monthly checks

Monthly checks

If your building has been closed for more than 3 weeks due to Covid-19, it is advised that you continue to do your monthly checks to ensure your business is protected against the threat of fire and theft during this time.

Discover in our helpful download which checks must be done monthly as part of fire prevention. Protect your business with Churches Fire help guides.

To support you, we’ve created a free downloadable checklist and included below the items that should be checked monthly as part of your fire safety and security maintenance.

fire extinguishers

The in-depth checks provided by competent technicians are required by law. However, you should be visually examining the fire extinguishers on your site every month.

In this video we take you through what you should be looking for on a monthly basis as part of your visual check:

*Please note that more thorough checks involving the gauge are required.

emergency lighting

As part of your fire safety maintenance, you should be testing your emergency lighting monthly.

Learn what you should be looking for in our short video guide.

What to inspect

All emergency lighting systems should be tested monthly. This is carried out by separating the supply to the lighting circuit, ensuring that all lights are fully functioning.

When in test mode, the system will simulate the power being cut to the emergency lighting.

When you are satisfied that all emergency lights in the area have illuminated as expected, you may switch the key back to normal mode.

Upon installation, the Churches Fire & Security technician will demonstrate how to perform this simple monthly check using a test key.

Our skilled technicians ensure all systems are serviced to BS 5266 at least annually to ensure compliance with the latest standards.

fire doors

Monthly checks include: testing the fail-safe mechanisms for automatic doors; testing the operation of hold-open devices under a simulated loss of power or fire alarm; and testing the correct operation of panic hardware on emergency and panic doors.

Regular inspections and checks should be recorded and dated by the responsible person with repair or replacement of faulty doors taking place as a priority with any such repairs recorded.

This simple ten-point checklist gives an overview of what to consider when inspecting your company’s fire doors.

1. Are your fire doors certificated (label or plug)?
2. Are the gaps between the leaf and frame 3mm (+/- 1mm)?
3. Are the intumescent/cold smoke seals damaged or missing?
4. Are the hinges all firmly fixed with no screws missing?
5. Do all handles and panic hardware operate correctly?
6. Are the doors able to close in a controlled manner and are they free from obstruction?
7. Do door selectors operate correctly?
8. Is the glass secure in the frame?
9. Do the doors display the correct signage and is it legible?
10. Have your doors been inspected by a trained industry professional?

It’s worth noting that if the leaf is a FD it’s threshold gap (bottom rail) can be no greater than 8mm, and if the leaf is a FD(30/60)S, it’s threshold gap can be no greater than 3mm.

sprinklers

Most tasks required by the technical bulletin are weekly, monthly checks include ensuring the batteries and security of the tank and access ladder. These are five minute checks which can be done at the same time as the weekly checks. Please note that all checks need to be completed by a competent person.