Fire Alarm Servicing & PPM: How to Stay Compliant and Avoid Costly Fines in 2025

June 2, 2025

Fire Alarm Servicing & PPM: How to Stay Compliant and Avoid Costly Fines in 2025 

2025 Compliance Overview: If your business isn’t following the BS 5839-1:2025 fire alarm servicing schedule, you could already be out of compliance, and one missed inspection away from fines, failed audits, or invalidated insurance. 


Here’s what UK law now expects: 


  • Weekly testing by your on-site responsible person 
  • 6-month inspections by a qualified contractor 
  • Annual full system servicing for compliance and safety 

The easiest way to stay on track? A Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) contract which takes the guesswork out of compliance, keeping your documentation audit-ready, and protecting your people, premises, and reputation year-round. 

Fire Alarm Servicing Requirements at a Glance 

Activity Who’s Responsible Frequency Why It Matters
Weekly Functional Test On-site staff Weekly Confirms system activation and audible alerts
6-Monthly Inspection Qualified contractor Every 6 months Checks detectors, call points, batteries, sounders
Annual Full System Servicing Qualified contractor Annually Comprehensive check to ensure compliance

Why Fire Alarm Servicing Is Legally Required 

Fire safety compliance isn’t optional - it’s the law. Under: 

  • BS 5839-1:2025, the updated British Standard for fire alarms in non-domestic buildings 
  • Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, still active and fully enforced in 2025…businesses must ensure fire alarm systems are maintained in full working order at all times.


Failure to comply can lead to: 

  • Fines and enforcement from Fire & Rescue Services 
  • Invalidated insurance if systems aren’t maintained 
  • Reputational risk and potential liability if incidents occur 


Compliance Stat: UK businesses face enforcement action every year under the Fire Safety Order, and in 2025, the BS 5839-1:2025 update has made clear that servicing is non-negotiable. 


How Often Should You Test, Inspect & Service Your Fire Systems? 

Let’s clear up the confusion between testing, inspecting, and servicing: 


  • Weekly Test (in-house): 
  • Carried out by your designated responsible person 
  • Tests a different call point each week to confirm activation 
  • 6-Monthly Inspection (external): 
  • Conducted by a competent fire safety contractor (like JDP) 
  • Includes checks on detection zones, call points, power supplies, batteries, sounders, and system control panels 
  • Annual Servicing (external): 
  • A full system inspection of every device and component 
  • Includes diagnostic tests, system reports, and audit-ready documentation 


TIP:

Regular servicing stops small issues becoming major faults, keeps you legally compliant, and ensures your fire alarm works when it matters most. 

What Is Fire System PPM and Why It’s the Smart Way to Stay Compliant? 

Fire System Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) is a contract-based approach to servicing that: 

  • Proactively schedules inspections and tests so nothing gets missed 
  • Reduces emergency callouts, downtime, and unexpected repair costs 
  • Ensures your compliance paperwork is up to date and ready for audits 
  • Eliminates last-minute panic or non-compliance surprises 


With JDP’s PPM service, you can: 

  • Have the option to bundle your fire, security, and electrical systems under one contract 
  • Get reminders before your next inspection is due 
  • Access expert engineers who understand your site and sector 
  • Relax, knowing your system is safe, serviced, and compliant 
Learn About PPM Maintenance

What Happens If You Skip Fire System Servicing? 

Non-compliance with BS 5839-1:2025 or the Fire Safety Order can result in: 

  • Fines or prosecution from Fire & Rescue enforcement teams 
  • Failed audits, leading to delays, shutdowns, or insurance claims 
  • Invalidated insurance, which may leave you financially exposed 
  • Increased risk to staff and customers in the event of a real fire 

An Easy Way to Ensure Your Fire Systems Stay Compliant 

Keeping your fire alarm systems compliant doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. The most effective way to avoid missed inspections, last-minute servicing, or audit failures is to have a reliable partner managing it for you. 


That’s where JDP comes in. 


With over 70 years of experience supporting commercial properties across the Midlands, JDP offers a simple, proactive solution that covers everything: 


  • Testing, inspections, and full servicing are all included in one clear contract 
  • Qualified, responsive engineers who understand your building and sector 
  • Advance reminders and scheduling, so you never miss a compliance milestone 
  • Audit-ready documentation and fast reporting, designed for facilities managers 


We offer fire systems PPM near Birmingham

Fire Alarm Servicing – FAQs (2025) 

  • How often should fire alarms be tested in the UK?

    In the UK, commercial fire alarm systems must be tested weekly, inspected every six months, and fully serviced annually. The weekly test should be done on-site by a designated responsible person and involves activating a different manual call point each week. The six-month inspection must be carried out by a qualified contractor and covers all critical components such as detectors, sounders, and control panels. The annual service ensures the entire system operates correctly and includes comprehensive reporting. These frequencies are outlined in BS 5839-1:2025, which was updated to reinforce legal servicing expectations for all non-domestic buildings. 

  • What is BS 5839-1:2025?

    BS 5839-1:2025 is the latest British Standard for the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in non-domestic premises. Released in April 2025, it updates and replaces the 2017 edition. Key updates include improved clarity around routine servicing, enhanced guidance on visual alarms for hearing-impaired occupants, and updated expectations for maintenance documentation. Compliance with BS 5839-1:2025 is not just best practice - it’s essential for staying aligned with fire safety law in 2025. 

  • Who is responsible for fire alarm servicing in a commercial building?

    Responsibility for fire alarm servicing lies with the ‘responsible person’ under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This is typically a facilities manager, building owner, or compliance officer. They must ensure that the alarm system is tested, inspected, and serviced at the required intervals. Neglecting these duties can result in enforcement actions, fines, or worse - in the event of a fire, the responsible person could be held legally accountable. 

  • What happens if I skip a fire alarm service?

    Skipping fire alarm servicing can lead to serious consequences. Businesses risk legal penalties, invalidated insurance, and failed compliance audits. In worst-case scenarios, a neglected alarm system may malfunction during an emergency, putting lives and property at risk. Under BS 5839-1:2025, regular servicing is considered mandatory, and regulators may treat missed inspections as a breach of fire safety obligations. 

  • What is PPM in fire safety?

    Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) is a proactive strategy for managing fire alarm compliance. Rather than waiting for faults or inspection deadlines to creep up, a PPM contract schedules all necessary tests, inspections, and full servicing in advance. It ensures systems stay compliant year-round, reduces emergency callouts, and keeps your documentation audit-ready. At JDP, PPM also includes bundling of fire, security, and electrical systems for a streamlined compliance solution. 

Ready to Stay Compliant in 2025? 

Don’t let missed inspections put your people or business at risk. Get ahead of the new servicing standards and take the stress out of fire safety. 

Get A Free Assessment
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