SECURITY MAINTENANCE

Intruder Alarm System Preventative Maintenance I.S. CLC/TS 50131-7:2003

It is the client’s responsibility to arrange for the Intruder Alarm System to be Lara-Alarms-Dublin-Alarm-Maintenance-Imageproperly maintained (inspected and serviced) and repaired as necessary. An arrangement should be made between the client and a competent organisation for the maintenance and repair of the Intruder Alarm System.

To ensure the continued correct functioning of the intruder system, the system should be periodically maintained (inspected and serviced). A maintenance schedule should be agreed immediately upon the completion of the installation. For a domestic/residential installation a 12 monthly interval would be recommended.

In the event of any indication of a malfunction or damage to any part of the Intruder system the user should immediately inform the organisation or individual responsible for the maintenance and repair of the system so that any necessary remedial action may be taken.

Preventative Maintenance (inspections and test) should include the following:

  1. Tamper detection;
  2. Setting and unsetting;
  3. Entry and exit procedures;
  4. Power supplies and circuits;
  5. Operation of detectors;
  6. Operation of warning devices (Sounders);
  7. Operation of ATE. (Anti-Tamper Equipment);
  8. Connection to Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC);
  9. Code changing;

Any batteries should be replaced at intervals not exceeding the battery manufacturer’s recommendations. Care should be taken that all equipment is properly reinstated after testing. The typical manufacturers specified battery life is 5 years.

All intervention during maintenance or repair, including testing, should be recorded in the Log Book.

EMERGENCY LIGHTING

I.S. 3217:2013, NSAI Code of Practice Document

This Section specifically refers to installations on or after 2013

GENERAL

To give greater assurance of reliability, correct servicing is essential. An agreement must be made with a competent contractor or competent in-house resource for regular servicing. This is a statutory regulation under the Fire Services Act 1981. Maintenance must be carried out in accordance to the code of Practice I.S.3217:2013. The agreement should specify the method of liaison to provide access to the premises. The name, telephone number and general contact details of the servicing organisation should be prominently displayed. The responsible person shall satisfy themselves as to the competence of the appointed service provider who should ideally be accredited by an independent third party.

Procedures in brief:

  1. Each self-contained luminaire and internally illuminated route sign shall be Lara-Alarms-Dublin-Emergency-Lighting-Imagetested from the central test unit (if installed) which gives test facility for duration of tests between 30 minutes and three hours. All tests are to comply with I.S 3217:2013. This is a statutory regulation under the Fire Services Act 1981.
  2. During the test period all luminaries and signs should be examined visually to ensure that they are functioning correctly.
  3. Minor faults will be corrected during tests i.e. bulbs and starters etc.
  4. At the end of the test period, supply to the normal lighting should be restored (automatically as a fail-safe) and every indication lamp or device checked to ensure that it is showing that the normal supply has been restored
  5. The following test programme is required to be adopted and results recorded for the purpose of retaining records (Log Book).
    • 3 Monthly – Functional Test 30 minutes min. 45 minutes max.
    • 6 Monthly – 1 Hour duration test
    • 12 Monthly – 3 Hour duration test

(Excerpts from IS 3217:2013) NSAI Code of Practice Document.

Note: MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES- It is the responsibility of the management of the premises to ensure that proper maintenance of the emergency lighting system is carried out as described in Clause 14 and 16. The procedure to be adopted in the organization of working responsibility will vary with the size and complexity of the installation which should be taken into account.

FIRE ALARM MAINTENANCE 

I.S. 3218:2013, NSAI Code of Practice Document.

This Section specifically refers to installations on or after 2013

General

To give greater assurance of reliability, correct servicing is essential. An Lara-Alarms-Dublin-Fire-Alarm-Maintenance-Imageagreement must be made with a competent contractor or competent in-house resource for regular servicing. This is a statutory regulation under the Fire Services Act 1981. Maintenance must be carried out in accordance to the code of Practice I.S.3218:2013. The agreement should specify the method of liaison to provide access to the premises. The name, telephone number and general contact details of the servicing organisation should be prominently displayed at the control and indicating equipment. The responsible person shall satisfy themselves as to the competence of the appointed service provider who should ideally be accredited by an independent third party.

For all systems, maintenance facilities shall be available and accessible at all times, both during and outside normal working hours, and requests for emergency response should be executed promptly within determined response times. In any case, agreement should be made that maintenance services will be available within 24 hours.The typical expected response times under contract is 3 hours.

Servicing must be undertaken following commissioning of the installation whether the premises are occupied or not. Again, the requirement for servicing is a statutory requirement and independent of any obligations of the installer under defects liability.

A Certificate of Servicing/Testing shall be prominently displayed adjacent to the main CIE (Control Indicating Equipment) to indicate the service provider, the service planning and confirming completion of the planned service in compliance with the requirements of this code of practice. The service provider shall confirm that the system is in satisfactory working order.

NOTE: It is recommended that during the quarterly/ periodic service a percentage of the detection devices be tested such that at the end of the annual period all devices have been tested. This will be deemed to satisfy the requirements that adequate records have been maintained to guarantee that 100% of the devices have been suitably tested.

Periodic inspection and tests shall include:

The responsible person should ensure that the following check and test sequence is carried out every year by a competent person.

  1. Each detector should be checked for correct operation in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
  2. Every manual call point should be checked for correct operation by insertion of a test key or operation of the switch mechanism or other test which confirms the correct action of the switching mechanism and ability of the device to correctly communicate a fire signal to the control and indicating equipment, and within parameters.
  3. A visual inspection should be made to confirm that all cable fittings and equipment are secure, undamaged and adequately protected.
  4. The required sound levels are achieved. It is strongly recommended that this be carried out in conjunction with the annual re evacuation drill.

Any defect shall be recorded in the log book. These shall be reported to the responsible person for appropriate corrective action.

On completion of the work, a certificate of Servicing/Testing shall be given to the responsible person

Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

Requirements of IS 291:2015 (IS.291 & and  E.N.3)

Lara-Alarms-Maintenance-Fire-ExtinguishersIS 291:2015 covers the use and suitability, siting, inspection and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers of the types which conform to European Standard EN 3 (which deals with portable fire extinguishers) as listed below:

  • Water type extinguishers;
  • Foam type extinguishers;
  • Powder type extinguishers;
  • Carbon dioxide type extinguishers;
  • Halogenated hydrocarbon type extinguishers (Halon Extinguishers).

The yearly inspection procedure shall determine that:

  • The extinguisher is in its designated place;
  • Access to or visibility of the extinguisher is not obstructed;
  • Any seals or indicator tabs are not broken;
  • Pressure indicators, where fitted, show the correct pressure;
  • The extinguisher has not been damaged;
  • The extinguisher does not have obvious defects such as a clogged nozzle, corrosion, leakage or a loose or damaged hose;
  • In the case of all carbon dioxide gas extinguishers the discharge horn or hose/horn is properly secured;
  • The maintenance record label is properly attached to the extinguisher and is up to date and the maintenance register is entered up to date;
  • A service certificate should be issued for record purposes.

Lara will also undertake discharge testing (a third of the extinguisher) and re-charging, included within the Annual service cost. Over a three year period all extinguishers are to have been tested 100%

Where an inspection reveals that interference has occurred or that the extinguisher is impaired in any way then arrangements shall be made immediately for the extinguisher to undergo maintenance. If any extinguisher is found to be damaged, corroded or otherwise defective in the course of an inspection, arrangements shall be made immediately for it to be subjected to maintenance or to be replaced.

Dry Riser Maintenance

Requirements of BS 9990:2006

General

Lara-Alarms-Maintenance-Dry-RiserThe person responsible for a building is legally required to maintain all fire-fighting equipment, including dry risers. BS9990:2006 requires a full annual pressure test and visual check for dry risers for buildings above 18 metres and below 60 metres. Buildings over 60 metres or 18 storeys require wet risers.

Dry Risers are an invaluable piece of fire-fighting equipment in buildings above 18 metres. They play a critical role in delivering considerable quantities of water in a high rise building. They can however be prone to serious neglect and vandalism so it is important to have them regularly maintained and serviced. Lara will carry out a full annual pressure test and six monthly visual check to the relevant standards using our own dry riser testing equipment.

Annual Dry Riser Maintenance

Dry and wet risers are checked and pressure tested to 150 PSL or 10 bar for a minimum of 15 minutes. All insets and outlets are checked for leaks and any missing or faulty items replaced. Flow testing is also carried out. If any valves have to be replaced a further pressure test will be carried out before certification is issued. The entire system will be visually tested 6 monthly and any missing or damaged items are replaced.

Full certification is issued when the systems pass the thorough operational test.

Hose Reel Maintenance

(In accordance with Code of Practice BS 5306)

General

Lara-Alarms-Maintenance-Hose-ReelHose reels should be subject to regular inspection to ensure that the system is free from leaks and that nozzles operate correctly. Hose reels must remain easily accessible and unobstructed, at all times. If booster pumps are installed these should also be checked.

Hose Reel Annual Inspection and Test

Once a year each hose reel should be completely run out and subjected to operational water pressure to ensure that hose is in good condition and that all joints and couplings are watertight.

Note: Fire hose reels will be fully unwound and discharged. They flow rate will be measured by discharging into a drum. Fittings will be inspected and the hose reel fully rewound. A flow test should be carried out to ensure that a discharge of at least 30 litres per minute is achieved.

In the case of a fault the water will be isolated and the customer notified. Any faults/leaks will have to be repaired by the client’s plumber.

The annual test should be carried out by a competent person, in accordance with the standard and recorded on a label fixed to each hose reel or alternatively in the same register as tests for portable fire extinguishers, with each hose reel being identified by number.

CCTV Maintenance

Schedule of tests for CCTV

  1. Check all recorders (DVR/NVR) (settings e.g. date/time)
  2. Check all cameras / heaters (Dome, Static)
  3. Clean and re-focus cameras as necessary(Focus shift)
  4. Check all Infrared Lighting (if applicable)
  5. Check all power supply units & Reserve Batteries
  6. Carry out a sample download to ensure correct operation
  7. Re-boot system / software upgrade(s) if applicable

ACCESS CONTROL MAINTENANCE

Schedule of tests for Access control

  1. Check magnetic locks, re-tighten as required
  2. Check switches, break glass units etc.
  3. Check all doors
  4. Check card readers or FOB readers
  5. Check egress button
  6. Check for correct operation under Fire activation protocols
  7. Power supply battery checks
  8. Carry out any client changes (Add/Delete codes)
Door entry system