MEP · 9 checks

Fire Alarm & Detection
QA inspection checklist

Fire alarm and detection system quality audit.

Every check below carries what good looks like, when it passes, the standard it comes from and the defects that usually fail it. That guidance is what turns a tick-box into an inspection.

Installation

  1. 1.
    Detector types and locations match design
    What to look forOptical, ionisation, heat, multi-criteria or beam detectors per the BS 5839 fire alarm zone plan. Spacing per detector type — typically 7.5 m radius (heat) / 7.5-10 m (smoke). Detector ≥ 500 mm from any wall. Not in dead air pockets, near vents, or above pelmets. Type appropriate to room (heat in kitchens, optical in corridors).
    Acceptable whenPer BS 5839-1:2017+A2:2023 (commercial) / BS 5839-6:2019+A1:2020 (domestic): coverage radius per detector type and ceiling height; ≥ 500 mm from walls and obstructions; ≥ 1.5 m from forced ventilation; correct type for room use.
    StandardBS 5839-1:2017+A2:2023 — Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings: Code of practice (commercial). BS 5839-6:2019+A1:2020 — Domestic premises. LPS 1014 — Approved Fire Detection.
    Common defectsSmoke detector in kitchen — false alarms from cookingDetector < 500 mm from wall — cold air pocket, delayed activationBeam detector aimed where light or steam interferesDetector in plenum void without coverage of room belowWrong category installed (P1 design but only L3 coverage delivered)
  2. 2.
    Call points at required positions
    What to look forManual call points (MCPs) at every final exit, on each storey, at the foot of stairs, and at maximum 45 m travel distance. Mounting height 1.4 m AFFL. Not behind doors. Site of every MCP marked with diagrammatic sign. Type Type-A (single action) per BS EN 54-11 typical for UK.
    Acceptable whenPer BS 5839-1: MCP at all final exits and on escape routes ≤ 45 m maximum travel. Mounting height 1.4 m ±200 mm. Type-A break-glass per BS EN 54-11. Hinged covers acceptable to reduce malicious activation.
    StandardBS 5839-1:2017+A2:2023. BS EN 54-11:2001+A1:2005 — Manual call points.
    Common defectsMCP > 45 m travel distance — escape route uncoveredHeight > 1.6 m or < 1.2 m — non-compliantMCP behind opening door — not visible/accessibleType-B (two-action) used in public area — code requires Type-ANo final-exit MCPs — escape signal not reachable last-minute
  3. 3.
    Sounders provide coverage to all areas
    What to look forSounders distributed so design dB level is achieved at all points. Voice sounders / VADs in zones requiring evacuation messages. Visual alarm devices (VADs to BS EN 54-23) in areas where audible alone is insufficient (toilets, plant rooms). Sounders not concealed by furniture.
    Acceptable whenPer BS 5839-1: 65 dB(A) general / 75 dB(A) at bedhead in sleeping risk / 5 dB above ambient. VADs to BS EN 54-23 with declared coverage volume. Sounder spacing typically max 30 m. Voice alarm to BS 5839-8 (where required).
    StandardBS 5839-1:2017+A2:2023. BS EN 54-3 — Sounders. BS EN 54-23:2010 — Visual Alarm Devices. BS 5839-8:2013 — Voice alarm systems.
    Common defectsSounder behind closed door — dB level failsNo VAD in toilets/showers — DDA / Equality Act non-complianceBedhead sounder absent in HMO — sleeping riskVoice message inaudible in noisy area — speech intelligibility STI < 0.5Coverage relies on sound transmission through closed fire doors
  4. 4.
    Cable types correct (fire rated where required)
    What to look forStandard category cable (BS EN 50200 PH30) or enhanced (PH120) per BS 5839 design grade. Cable identifiable by red sheath or labelled. Run on dedicated cable tray/trunking, segregated from other services. Fixings to BS 7671 fire-resistant.
    Acceptable whenPer BS 5839-1: Standard cables PH30 (e.g. FP200), Enhanced PH120 (FP400, MICC) for high-rise and high-life-risk premises. Segregation from other services per BS 7671 reg 528. Fixings to BS 5839 — typically metal clips, not plastic.
    StandardBS 5839-1:2017+A2:2023 Section 26. BS EN 50200 — Fire resistance of cables. BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 — Wiring regulations.
    Common defectsStandard cable (PH30) used where Enhanced (PH120) needed (high-rise)Plastic cable ties — fail in fire, cables dropCable run with mains in shared trunking — induced interference, fire propagationCable not identifiable — wrong cable cut in future worksJoints made in junction boxes not rated for fire
  5. 5.
    Panel location accessible
    What to look forFire alarm panel at main entrance or designated reception, visible to fire brigade on arrival. Within 2 m of building entrance ideally. Indicator panels (repeaters) at other entrances if needed. Panel illuminated and not behind locked doors during occupancy.
    Acceptable whenPer BS 5839-1: panel at fire brigade access point — typically main entrance. Mounting height 1.4-1.8 m to display. Repeater panel where main panel not at entrance. Zone plan adjacent to panel showing building layout.
    StandardBS 5839-1:2017+A2:2023. Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
    Common defectsPanel in locked plant room — fire brigade cannot accessPanel hidden in cupboard — display not visibleNo zone plan adjacent — cannot identify activated zoneRepeater not installed at secondary entrancePanel mounted too high — display not legible at standing height

Commissioning

  1. 6.
    All zones tested and verified
    What to look forEach zone tested by activating one device per zone — confirms zone identification on panel matches design. Every detector tested with smoke/heat aerosol; every MCP tested with key. Every sounder tested. Every input/output tested. Result logged per device.
    Acceptable whenPer BS 5839-1 Section 47: 100% device test on commissioning. Each zone shows correct text on panel. Cause-and-effect verified per matrix. Device addresses match as-fitted record. Hand-over per BS 5839-1 Annex B.
    StandardBS 5839-1:2017+A2:2023 Section 44-47 (commissioning).
    Common defectsDetector address does not match panel display — confusion in real fireSome devices not tested — failures undetected at handoverAerosol used near outlet vent — false-failPanel still showing yesterday's test fault stateZone plan does not match panel zoning
  2. 7.
    Sound levels adequate
    Record: dB level
    What to look forSound level measured with calibrated meter at sample points throughout the building, including bedrooms (with door closed), at noisiest position, and at quietest. All readings ≥ design level. Voice intelligibility STI tested in voice-alarm areas.
    Acceptable whenPer BS 5839-1: ≥ 65 dB(A) general areas; ≥ 75 dB(A) at bedhead in sleeping risk; 5 dB above ambient noise (whichever higher). STI ≥ 0.5 for voice alarm. Test door-closed condition.
    StandardBS 5839-1:2017+A2:2023. BS 5839-8:2013 (voice alarm STI). IEC 60268-16 (STI measurement).
    Common defectsBedhead reading < 75 dB — sleeping occupants miss alarmTest made door-open — fails in real conditionAmbient noise > 60 dB and alarm only 65 dB — not loud enoughSTI fails in highly reverberant area — message unintelligibleNo record of as-tested levels
  3. 8.
    Cause and effect matrix verified
    What to look forCause-and-effect matrix from design tested on site — each input device triggers the correct outputs (sounders, lift recall, AOV, smoke vents, mag-lock release, ventilation shutdown). Time delays per matrix. Disabled-zones test mode does not bypass critical outputs.
    Acceptable whenPer BS 5839-1 Section 47 and matrix from FRA/fire engineer: each input causes the designed output set. Stage-1/Stage-2 alerts tested. Coincidence detection logic tested. Disabled-mode behaviour confirmed safe.
    StandardBS 5839-1:2017+A2:2023. BS 9999:2017 (life safety design). BS 7273-4 (actuation of release mechanisms).
    Common defectsMag-locks fail to release on alarm — escape blockedAOV vent does not open — smoke spreadsLift not recalled to ground — passengers stuckCoincidence detection set wrong — false-alarm or delaySome outputs not tested at all
  4. 9.
    BS 5839 commissioning certificate issued
    What to look forCommissioning certificate per BS 5839-1 Annex C completed and signed by competent commissioning engineer. Names category (M, L1-L5, P1-P2), grade (A-F domestic), and any deviations from code. Issued to Responsible Person under Fire Safety Order. As-fitted drawings and zone plan provided.
    Acceptable whenPer BS 5839-1 Annex C/D: certificate identifies system category, grade, designer, installer, commissioner. Variations from code clearly noted. Includes "as-installed" drawings and operating instructions. Held by Responsible Person.
    StandardBS 5839-1:2017+A2:2023 Annex C/D (certificates). Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 reg 17.
    Common defectsNo certificate — non-compliant under FSOVariations from code not declared — unknown to clientWrong category claimed (L3 fitted, L1 declared)Drawings not as-installed — modifications not recordedCertificate signed by non-competent person

Questions people ask

What is a fire alarm & detection QA inspection for?

To record that the work was checked against the specification before it was covered up or handed over: a pass or fail against each item, a measurement where one matters, and a photo where it failed. It is the evidence a client's quantity surveyor or clerk of works asks for, and the thing that settles the argument at final account.

What standards does this checklist check against?

Each item names its reference. On this checklist that includes BS 5839-1:2017+A2:2023, BS 5839-1:2017+A2:2023. BS EN 54-11:2001+A1:2005, BS 5839-1:2017+A2:2023. BS EN 54-3, BS 5839-1:2017+A2:2023 Section 26. BS EN 50200, BS 5839-1:2017+A2:2023. Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005., BS 5839-1:2017+A2:2023 Section 44-47 (commissioning).. The contract specification and the approved drawings always take precedence over a general standard; where they say something stricter, inspect to that.

Who signs a QA inspection off?

The person who carried out the check, named and dated, and where the contract calls for it the client's representative as a witness. The signature records that the check was done and what was found. It is not a warranty of the work.

How many items are on it, and do I have to use them all?

9 checks across 2 sections. Delete what does not apply to the job and add anything the specification asks for that is not here. A checklist that has plainly been thought about carries more weight than a long one nobody read.

Is this useful for a subcontractor as well as a main contractor?

More so. The subcontractor is the one who gets asked to come back and open something up. A signed inspection sheet with photos at the time is the cheapest insurance on a construction site.

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