How Often Should Your Fire Alarm, Emergency Lighting & Fire Extinguishers Be Serviced? (UK Guide)
Understanding your legal responsibilities under BS5839-1, BS5266 & BS5306-3
Most businesses know they need to maintain their fire safety systems, but many aren’t clear on the exact servicing intervals required by UK standards. As a result, companies often fall behind without realising it — something we regularly uncover during fire risk assessments, insurance reviews, and system takeovers.
This guide breaks down the correct maintenance schedule for:
Fire alarms (BS5839-1)
Emergency lighting (BS5266-1)
Fire extinguishers (BS5306-3)
…so you know exactly what’s expected and how to stay compliant throughout the year.
1. Fire Alarm Maintenance — BS5839-1 Requirements
Weekly Test (User Responsibility)
Every commercial building should carry out a weekly fire alarm test, activating at least one manual call point (MCP) each week on a rotating schedule to prove the system works.
This isn’t optional — it’s a core requirement of BS5839-1:2017.
A simple 30-second test helps verify:
Sounders activate correctly
The panel receives signals from the MCP
Staff remain familiar with the alarm tone
6-Monthly Service (Competent Person)
BS5839-1 requires that all fire alarm systems undergo a service at least twice a year.
For large or complex systems, quarterly servicing may be recommended, but six-monthly intervals are the minimum.
A professional service includes:
Inspection of detectors, call points and sounders
Checking power supplies and standby batteries
Reviewing false alarm history
Functional testing of all critical components
Ensuring compliance with the original fire strategy
Most issues we find during takeovers stem from missed services — especially battery failures and undocumented modifications by contractors.
2. Emergency Lighting Maintenance — BS5266-1 Requirements
Emergency lighting is often overlooked because it’s “always in the background”, but BS5266 is clear about testing intervals.
Monthly Functional Test (User Responsibility)
A brief test to ensure fittings operate when normal lighting is switched off.
This doesn’t need to run the full battery duration — it just proves operation.
Annual 3-Hour Discharge Test (Competent Person)
The system must undergo a full 3-hour duration test once every year.
This simulates a real power cut and ensures the batteries hold the required charge.
Common failures we find include:
Fittings not lasting the full 3 hours
Poor spacing or inadequate coverage from previous refurbishments
Non-compliant bulkheads added by general electricians
A proper annual test identifies these issues before an emergency situation or fire inspection does.
3. Fire Extinguisher Servicing — BS5306-3 Requirements
Fire extinguishers require regular servicing to remain compliant and fully operational.
Annual Basic Service
Every extinguisher on-site must be serviced once per year by a competent technician.
This includes:
Checking pressure and weight
Verifying the correct type is installed for the risks present
Inspecting for corrosion, tampering or damage
Recording maintenance in the logbook
Extended Service (Every 5 Years)
Extinguishers — such as water, foam and powder — require a more in-depth internal examination every 5 years.
Replacement (Usually 10 Years)
CO₂ extinguishers must undergo a pressure test (or be replaced) every 10 years.
Most organisations opt to replace them, as it’s more cost-effective.
Incorrect, neglected or expired extinguishers are one of the most common enforcement issues found during fire risk assessments.
Why This Matters — And Why Businesses Often Fall Behind
In our work across Cheshire, Wirral, Chester, Manchester, Liverpool and surrounding areas, the most common problems we see are:
Businesses unaware of their testing intervals
Missed annual visits due to changes in management
Builders installing non-compliant systems during refurbishments
Extinguishers supplied cheaply but not maintained correctly
Panels left unattended until faults become expensive repairs
A consistent maintenance schedule not only keeps you compliant — it significantly reduces false alarms, battery failures, call-out costs and insurance risks.
A Simple Rule of Thumb
Here’s the quick summary you can share with staff:
Fire alarm: Weekly test + 6-monthly service
Emergency lighting: Monthly test + annual 3-hour test
Fire extinguishers: Annual service + 5-year / 10-year extended checks
If any of these haven’t been completed recently, it’s worth addressing before your next fire risk assessment or insurance renewal.
Need Help Managing Your Fire Safety Servicing?
ACE Fire Services supports businesses across the North West with:
Routine servicing
New installations
System takeovers after refurbishment
Compliance audits
Multi-site servicing plans
If you’d like a free survey or just want to check whether your current schedule is compliant, we’re always happy to help.