Fire Alarm Testing in Cardiff
Fire Alarm Testing Cardiff: Reports from £120 + VAT
Fire alarm and emergency lighting testing for landlords, HMOs, offices, shops and managed buildings across Cardiff and South Wales. Cardiff Electrical Testing is part of Cardiff Electricians Ltd, an NICEIC-approved electrical contractor since 2012 (NICEIC 601141000). You get a clear report, a record for your logbook and a plain list of anything that needs attention.
NICEIC approved since 2012
NICEIC 601141000.
30 years experience
Electrical work across Cardiff homes and businesses.
Fully insured
£2m public liability.
24/7 emergency cover
For urgent electrical faults.
Fire Alarm Testing
Fire alarm testing for Cardiff properties
A fire alarm only helps if it works on the day. Regular testing checks that the system detects a fire, sounds the alarm and shows faults, and that you have a record to show it.
We test and report on fire detection and alarm systems in rented homes, HMOs, shared areas, offices, shops, workplaces and managed buildings. The relevant standard for most commercial systems is BS 5839-1, which covers fire detection and alarm systems for buildings.
We also test emergency lighting to BS 5266-1, so one visit can cover both systems. See emergency lighting testing in Cardiff.
Who needs fire alarm testing
- Landlords and letting agents with rented homes or an HMO. Fire alarm reports sit alongside your EICR and other landlord safety records.
- HMO owners and managing agents, including shared hallways and stairs.
- Businesses and employers with offices, shops, workshops or storage.
- Property managers responsible for the common parts of a building.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to non-domestic premises and the common parts of HMOs. Your fire risk assessment should say what testing you need and how often, so please check it. We test the system; we do not give legal advice.
What We Check
What we check
A visit is planned around the system you have. Depending on its size and type, we look at the items below. Any faults are listed in the report with the next steps. If something needs repair or replacement, we can quote for it.
Control Panel
The control panel, including faults and its event record.
Detectors
Smoke and heat detectors.
Manual Call Points
Manual call points.
Sounders & Interlinks
Sounders and alarm sounding, and interlinked alarms where fitted.
Standby Power
Standby power supply.
Condition & Logbook
Condition of the system and visible damage, and the logbook, so the visit is recorded.
Testing Intervals
How often to test
Different checks happen at different intervals.
Checks and intervals
- Weekly: a quick user test by someone on site, using a different manual call point each week and noting it in the logbook (BS 5839-1).
- Periodic inspection and service: carried out by a competent person. Six-monthly servicing is common for commercial systems, and some premises work to annual visits. Your fire risk assessment or maintenance plan sets the interval for your building.
- Emergency lighting (BS 5266-1): a short functional check, usually monthly, and a full-duration test once a year. We offer the annual 3-hour duration test.
Keep every test in the logbook. It is the first thing an insurer, managing agent or fire officer is likely to ask for.
Landlord & HMO Reports
Landlord and HMO fire alarm reports
If you rent out property in Cardiff, a fire alarm report gives you a dated record that the alarms were checked.
Fire alarm report prices
- Domestic fire alarm report: £120, or £50 when added to an EICR visit.
- HMO fire alarm report: £120, or £80 when added to an EICR visit.
- Landlord pack: EICR (up to 3-bed), fire alarm report, emergency lighting report and PAT testing (up to 20 items) for £290.
All prices are plus VAT. Larger or commercial systems are quoted after we know the size of the system. Call 07340 288647 for a quote.
Emergency lighting alongside your fire alarm
Emergency lighting helps people leave safely if the normal lights fail. An emergency lighting report is £120 stand-alone or £50 added to an EICR, and the annual 3-hour duration test is £140 (plus VAT). Booking both together saves a second visit.
Repairs & Replacements
Fire alarm repairs, detectors and new panels
If testing finds a fault, we can fix it or replace the part.
Typical prices
- Smoke or heat detector, supplied and fitted: £70 plus VAT.
- New radio-frequency interlinked detector: £155 plus VAT each.
- Typical 4-zone fire alarm panel, supplied and fitted: £550 plus VAT. 8-zone: £650 plus VAT.
For larger systems, please call for a quote.
Simple Booking
How booking works
Four short steps: send your details, tell us what is installed, confirm the visit and receive your report.
Send your details
Name, phone number, address and postcode, and the type of property or business.
Tell us what is installed
A panel or standalone alarms, and whether you also want emergency lighting tested.
We confirm the visit
We agree a date and give you a price, or a quote for larger systems.
Receive your report
You get a digital report with any faults and next steps, ready for your logbook.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions: fire alarm testing in Cardiff
How much does fire alarm testing cost in Cardiff?
A fire alarm report for a domestic property is £120 stand-alone, or £50 when added to an EICR visit. For an HMO the report is £120 stand-alone or £80 when added to an EICR. Larger or commercial fire alarm systems are quoted once we know the size of the system, so please call for a quote. All prices are plus VAT.
How often should a fire alarm be tested and serviced?
BS 5839-1 recommends that a fire detection and alarm system is checked by the user every week and inspected and serviced by a competent person at regular intervals. Six-monthly servicing is common for commercial systems and some premises work to annual visits. The interval for your building should be set out in your fire risk assessment or maintenance plan, so please check that document.
Do landlords and HMO owners need fire alarm testing?
If you are the responsible person for an HMO, its shared areas or other non-domestic premises, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies and your fire risk assessment will say what testing you need. We can add a fire alarm report to your EICR, or include it in our landlord pack at £290 plus VAT. Please check your fire risk assessment for your own duties.
What is the difference between the weekly test and a fire alarm service?
The weekly user test is a quick check by someone on site, usually by operating a different manual call point each week and recording it in the logbook. A service or inspection is carried out by a competent person and goes further. It checks the detectors, panel, call points and sounders, and records any faults. Both should be written in the system logbook.
Can you test fire alarms and emergency lighting in one visit?
Yes. We can book a fire alarm report and an emergency lighting report together. An emergency lighting report is £120 stand-alone or £50 when added to an EICR, and the annual 3-hour duration test is £140. All prices are plus VAT. Tell us what is installed when you send your enquiry and we will confirm the visit.
Can you install or replace smoke detectors and fire alarm panels?
Yes. Supply and fit of a smoke or heat detector is £70 plus VAT, and a new radio-frequency interlinked detector is £155 plus VAT each. A typical 4-zone fire alarm panel is £550 plus VAT and an 8-zone panel is £650 plus VAT, supplied and fitted. For larger systems, please call for a quote.
Book Fire Alarm Testing
Need fire alarm or emergency lighting testing in Cardiff?
Call or WhatsApp 07340 288647, or send your property details and preferred date and we will advise the next step. We cover Cardiff, Penarth, Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Cardiff Electricians Ltd, 69 Wroughton Place, Cardiff CF5 4AB. hello@cardiffelectricians.com
Call 07340 288647Request a fire alarm reportCardiff Electricians Ltd, 69 Wroughton Place, Cardiff CF5 4AB. hello@cardiffelectricians.com
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