Automatic Fire Alarm Testing with Alarm Receiving Centre

Many standard processes for completing monitored fire alarm tests require a telephone call from the site wishing to test shortly before the test is due to commence.  A password is provided by the caller to allow access to the relevant record on the monitoring stations database and the operator asks the computer system to record only any fire signals received during the test period. Once finished on site, the caller then rings the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) again to check the signals received and take the system off test.

We offer the facility of our software to allow a time window on any site, the duration and timing of this window as dictated by the customer. During the window, any fire signals received will only be logged (the physical aspect of carrying out the test on site would still need to take place). Ten minutes after the automatic test window expires the software forwards an email detailing any signals (or lack of which may then highlight a possible fault/communications issue) received to one or numerous addresses as requested by the customer.

We foresee a number of benefits to the new procedure:

• A site wishing to perform a test does not have to call the ARC - thus saving against calling an 0844 number (normally two calls per test)
• The caller will never experience a call queue, which, on occasion during busy periods would normally mean a short wait until answered. This allows the caller more productive time
• The site is guaranteed to be on test during the scheduled window thus saving occasions where the brigade have turned up because the site have forgotten to call and take the system off line before testing. All alarms which are not fire related will still be actioned e.g. personal attack, freezer etc
• The customer will not have to worry about forgetting to call back in and making the system live again - the site is automatically live at the end of the window
• A hard copy of the fire test results is emailed to the customer as proof of testing carried out - a report indicating fire test overdue will be sent if no signals are received. This may also remind the customer if they have simply forgotten to undertake the test (to test outside the scheduled window the customer would then need to call the ARC)
• If requested by return of email, will also arrange for an operator to call the customer on a number provided to advise when no signals have been received after the test window expires
• This procedure saves against having to provide site passwords to members of staff who do not need the information other than for the purpose of testing the fire alarm
• Internally, the reduction in number of on test/off test calls received at the ARC allows our operators to focus more on actual alarms received/ calls which require their attention and skill set
• This service is free of charge - no additional costs are added to any site utilising the facility

If any genuine cause for the brigade to attend arises during the fire test window the responsibility rests with site to ensure they are notified accordingly (this is the same under the current procedure). If the site needs to carry out a test/maintenance outside of the window which is agreed then the standard procedure of calling the receiving centre to put the site on test can be completed.