LE1 · Leicester city centre
Fire Alarm Servicing
in Leicester city centre
Fire detection and alarm systems must be maintained in efficient working order. BS 5839-1 recommends servicing by a competent person at intervals not exceeding six months, alongside the weekly call point test carried out by the occupier.
Duty summary
England & Wales
- Duty
- Fire Alarm Servicing
- Instrument
- article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Also
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Standard
- BS 5839-1:2025 for non-domestic systems and BS 5839-6 for domestic and HMO systems
- Frequency
- At intervals not exceeding six months, alongside the occupier's weekly call point test
- Carried out by
- A competent person
- Enforced by
- Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service
- Guide price
- £90 – £260 per service visit
Guide price only. The firm we pass your enquiry to sets its own price once it knows the building.
Regular fire alarm servicing in Leicester city centre is a critical part of maintaining fire safety within a wide range of premises. The city centre, particularly the LE1 postcode district, features a diverse building stock, from retail units and upper-floor offices around the Highcross centre to licensed premises and converted warehouses in the Cultural Quarter, and purpose-built student accommodation serving both universities. Each of these building types typically requires a functioning fire alarm system, and regular servicing ensures these systems remain reliable. This is essential for the safety of occupants and compliance with fire safety regulations. A fire alarm servicing in Leicester city centre typically costs £90 to £260 per service visit. This figure depends on the specifics of the building and the system installed, and the exact quote will be provided by the firm we put you in touch with.
What Fire Alarm Servicing Covers
Fire alarm servicing involves a thorough inspection and testing of the entire fire detection and alarm system to ensure all components are fully operational and compliant with current standards. The scope of work will typically include checking the control panel, fire detectors (smoke, heat, multi-sensor), manual call points, sounders, and visual alarms. Engineers will also assess the system's power supplies, batteries, and interconnectivity. The price for fire alarm servicing can vary significantly based on several factors. These include the number of devices (detectors, call points, sounders) and control panels within the system, and the system category, for example, M, L1 to L5, P1 or P2, which dictates the level of coverage and complexity. Whether the site is a single building or comprises several interconnected buildings will also affect the cost. The age of the control panel and the availability of spare parts can influence the duration and cost of the service. Finally, the number of service visits contracted per year, typically one or two, will also be a factor in the overall cost.
How the enquiry works
The process for arranging fire alarm servicing through Leicester Fire Risk Assessment is straightforward.
- You send us the details of your fire alarm servicing requirements.
- We pass these details to a local, fire safety firm operating in Leicester city centre.
- That firm will contact you directly to discuss your specific needs and provide a tailored quote.
- You then deal directly with the chosen firm for all aspects of the servicing work. We are an enquiry service, not the firm carrying out the work.
Legal Requirements for Fire Alarm Servicing
The legal obligation for maintaining fire alarm systems stems primarily from the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Specifically, Article 17 of this Order requires that "where necessary to safeguard the safety of relevant persons in case of fire, the premises and any facilities, equipment and devices provided in respect of the premises under this Order... are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair." This clearly mandates that fire detection and alarm systems must be maintained in efficient working order.
Further legal backing comes from the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which places a general duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees. A properly maintained fire alarm system contributes directly to this duty.
For guidance on how to meet these legal obligations, the industry standard for non-domestic fire alarm systems is BS 5839-1:2025. For domestic premises and Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), BS 5839-6 provides the relevant recommendations. BS 5839-1 recommends servicing by a competent person at intervals not exceeding six months, alongside the weekly call point test carried out by the occupier. It is crucial that any assessment and subsequent servicing is carried out by a competent person with appropriate knowledge and experience. This page provides general information and should not be taken as specific advice for a particular building or situation. Enforcement of fire safety regulations in Leicester city centre falls under the purview of the local fire and rescue service or the local authority, as appropriate to the building type.
Questions duty holders ask
7 answers
How often should a fire alarm be serviced?
British Standard BS 5839-1, which is the code of practice for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in non-domestic premises, recommends that fire alarm systems are serviced by a competent person at least every six months. Some systems or specific environments may require more frequent inspections. This is in addition to weekly user checks.
What is the weekly call point test?
The weekly call point test is a routine check performed by the occupier of the building. It involves activating a different manual call point each week to ensure the alarm sounds and the system registers the activation. This helps confirm the system's basic functionality between professional service visits.
What is a category L2 system?
A category L2 fire alarm system is designed to protect escape routes and areas of high hazard. It includes automatic detectors in all escape routes and in all rooms adjoining escape routes, as well as in areas with a high fire risk. This category aims to provide early warning to occupants to facilitate safe evacuation.
Do I need a fire alarm logbook?
Yes, a fire alarm logbook is essential. It provides a record of all events related to the fire alarm system, including weekly tests, maintenance visits, false alarms, and any faults or repairs. This logbook demonstrates compliance with fire safety regulations and helps the servicing engineer understand the system's history.
Can any electrician service a fire alarm?
While some electricians may have basic electrical knowledge, fire alarm servicing requires specialist expertise in fire detection and alarm systems. The work should be carried out by a competent person who is familiar with BS 5839-1 and other relevant standards. The firms we put you in touch with employ such specialists.
How much does fire alarm servicing cost?
The cost of fire alarm servicing can vary widely depending on the size and complexity of your system. A fire alarm servicing in Leicester city centre typically costs £90 to £260 per service visit. The exact price will be provided by the local firm once they have assessed your specific requirements.
Are you a fire alarm servicing company?
No, Leicester Fire Risk Assessment is an enquiry service. We do not carry out fire alarm servicing ourselves. Our role is to connect building owners, landlords, and managers in Leicester city centre with local, qualified fire safety firms who can provide the necessary servicing and maintenance for your fire alarm system.
Sources and review
Checked against Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 art.17, Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, BS 5839-1:2025 and BS 5839-6 on . We recheck this page against the legislation quarterly, and sooner if the law changes. Spotted something wrong? Tell us at enquiries@leicesterfireriskassessment.co.uk and we will correct it.
Fire Alarm Servicing nearby
Other duties at the same premises
This page is general information about fire safety law in England and Wales. It is not a fire risk assessment and it is not legal advice. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 the Responsible Person must ensure an assessment is carried out by a competent person.