How often does a fire alarm need servicing?
BS 5839-1:2025 recommends a service by a competent person at least every six months. You should also test a call point every week and keep a logbook.
Source: BS 5839-1:2025
Resource library
Fire and security standards, explained in plain English
Plain-English summaries of the British Standards, laws and codes of practice that apply to fire and security systems: what each one says, what it means for your building, and where to read the official version. Summaries written and checked by the SPS Technical team.
66 standards, laws and guidesOfficial links checked every weekLast checked 12 October 2026 by the SPS Technical team
Ask the Standards Library
Got a question? Ask it in plain English
Get a short answer drawn only from this library, with the standard and official source it came from. If your question depends on your building, it will say so and offer you an engineer.
How it works →Try one of these:
Answers come only from our standards library and quote their sources. They are general guidance, not advice for a specific building, and are produced automatically, so check the source before relying on them. Please don't include names or personal details in your question.
Find what applies to you
Pick your system to see the standards, your legal duties and how often it needs servicing.
Fire alarms
7 referencesDesign, installation and servicing of fire detection and alarm systems, and your duties as the Responsible Person.
Key references: BS 5839-1:2025, RRO 2005, BS 7273-4:2015+A1:2021
CCTV
20 referencesHow CCTV should be designed, recorded and managed, and the data protection rules that apply to footage.
Key references: BS EN IEC 62676-4:2025, UK GDPR / DPA 2018, BS 8418:2021
Intruder alarms
14 referencesSystem grades, police response and how often your alarm needs servicing.
Key references: PD 6662:2017, BS 9263:2016, NPCC Police Requirements (2026)
Access control
6 referencesDoor access systems, security grades and making sure doors release safely in a fire.
Key references: BS EN 60839-11-1:2013, BS 7273-4:2015+A1:2021
Monitoring and signalling
8 referencesHow alarms and CCTV signal to a monitoring centre, and the standards those centres work to.
Key references: BS 8418:2021
The law and your duties
3 referencesFire safety law, building regulations and data protection, in plain English.
Key references: RRO 2005, UK GDPR / DPA 2018
Quick answers
The questions customers ask us most, answered in two sentences with the source.
Who is responsible for fire alarm maintenance?
The Responsible Person, usually the employer, owner or managing agent. The Fire Safety Order 2005 makes them legally accountable for keeping fire safety equipment maintained.
How often should an intruder alarm be serviced?
At least once a year for a bells-only system, and usually twice a year when it is monitored. Police-response systems must be maintained to keep their response.
Source: BS 9263:2016 and NPCC policy
Do I need CCTV signs on my premises?
Yes. Under UK GDPR people must be told when they are being recorded, and clear signs are the usual way to do it. Signs should say who runs the system and how to contact them.
What CCTV image detail do I need to identify someone?
About 250 pixels per metre at the person, under BS EN IEC 62676-4. Around 125 pixels per metre is enough to recognise someone you know.
Source: BS EN IEC 62676-4:2025
When does the police stop responding to an alarm?
After three false alarms in a rolling 12 months, police response to a monitored alarm is withdrawn until the cause is fixed.
See all fire and security questions answeredMore than 50 answers, each linked to its source and reviewed at the start of every month.
The standards that matter most
Each one has its own page: what it covers, what it means for you, and the official source.
BS 5839-1:2025CurrentFire alarms
Fire alarm systems in non-domestic buildings
What it means for you: Have your system serviced by a competent person at least every six months.
RRO 2005CurrentLaw and data protection
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
What it means for you: Know who the Responsible Person is for each of your premises.
PD 6662:2017CurrentIntruder alarms
Intruder alarm grades and standards in the UK
What it means for you: Your intruder alarm should be designed to a security grade matched to your risk, usually Grade 2 or 3 for businesses.
BS EN IEC 62676-4:2025CurrentCCTV
CCTV design and image detail
What it means for you: Agree what each camera is for before it is fitted: detect, observe, recognise or identify.
BS EN 60839-11-1:2013CurrentAccess control
Electronic access control system requirements
What it means for you: Choose an access control grade that matches the risk at each door, not one grade for the whole building.
BS 8418:2021CurrentMonitoring
Detector-activated, remotely monitored CCTV
What it means for you: If you want police response to monitored CCTV, the system needs to be designed and maintained to BS 8418.
Guides for building managers
Practical guides reviewed by our engineers.
CCTV
How Long Should You Keep CCTV Footage?
UK law sets no fixed period for keeping CCTV footage. This guide explains what the ICO expects, why most businesses keep about 30 days, and how much storage it takes.
Read the guide → GuideUpgrading a Commercial Security System: What to Keep, Improve or Replace
Ageing CCTV, intruder alarms and access control do not always need wholesale replacement. Here is how to decide what to retain, upgrade or replace in 2026.
Read the guide → GuideHow to Choose a Fire and Security Company for a Multi-Site Estate in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the Humber
A buyer's guide for estates and facilities teams: the five checks to make before consolidating fire alarm, CCTV, intruder alarm and access control maintenance across several sites.
Read the guide → Fire alarmsCommercial Fire Alarm Monitoring: How It Works and When You Need It
A practical guide to commercial fire alarm monitoring: how ARC signalling works, when monitoring may be appropriate, response arrangements, testing and maintenance.
Read the guide → Intruder alarmsEmergency Intruder Alarm Repair and Maintenance: A Business Guide
A practical guide to commercial intruder alarm faults, emergency repair, planned maintenance, signalling issues, system takeovers and reducing security downtime.
Read the guide → Fire alarmsCommercial Fire Alarm Beeping: What It Means and What to Do
A practical guide to commercial fire alarm beeping, panel faults, detector chirps and warning conditions — including when to call an engineer.
Read the guide →Free checklists and guides
Printable checklists our engineers use. Ask for a copy and we will email it to you.
Fire alarms
- ChecklistFire Alarm Maintenance ChecklistWhat should be inspected, tested and recorded at a BS 5839-1 service visit.
- GuideBS 5839 Fire Alarm Maintenance ExplainedServicing intervals and BAFE SP203-1, in plain English.
- ChecklistFire Alarm Takeover Survey ChecklistDocuments, panel condition, coverage and certificates to check.
- GuideOpen vs Closed Protocol Fire Alarm SystemsWhat protocol means for changing supplier or upgrading.
CCTV
- ChecklistCCTV Health Check ChecklistUptime, recording, storage, image quality and remote viewing.
- GuideCCTV GDPR, Signage & Privacy Quick GuideSigns, retention, subject access requests and the ICO fee.
- ChecklistNetwork-Connected CCTV Cybersecurity ChecklistPasswords, firmware, network separation and remote access.
Intruder alarms
- ChecklistURN, False Alarms & Police Response ChecklistProtect your URN and keep police response.
- ChecklistIntruder Alarm Maintenance ChecklistDetector tests, batteries, signalling and the log.
- GuideKeyholder, ARC & Escalation Readiness GuideKeep keyholder and monitoring records fit for purpose.
Access control
- ChecklistLeavers, Lost Cards & Credential Audit ChecklistRemove leavers, handle lost cards and audit access rights.
- GuideDoor Hardware, Maglocks & Emergency Release ConsiderationsFail-safe, fail-secure and safe escape.
Sectors
- Sector GuideSecurity Systems for Schools & AcademiesFire, intruder, CCTV and access control on education sites.
- Sector GuideFire & Security Systems for Healthcare and Care SitesLife safety, privacy and access in care settings.
- Sector GuideRetail Parks, Shopping Centres & Multi-Site EstatesManaging compliance site by site across an estate.
Full reference list
For consultants, contractors and anyone who needs the exact reference. Links go to the official publisher.
-
BS 5839-1:2025Current
-
PD 6662:2017Current
-
BS 5839-6:2019+A1:2020Current
-
BS 9263:2016Current
-
BS EN 50131-1:2006+A3:2020Current
-
UK GDPR / DPA 2018CurrentICO / HM GovernmentICO
-
NPCC Police Requirements (2026)Current
-
RRO 2005CurrentHM Governmentlegislation.gov.uk
-
BS EN IEC 62676-4:2025Current
-
BS 8418:2021Current
-
BS EN 60839-11-1:2013Current
-
BS 7273-4:2015+A1:2021Current
-
BS 8243:2021CurrentDesign, installation and configuration of intruder and hold-up alarm systems designed to generate confirmed alarm conditions
-
BS 7671:2018+A4:2026CurrentIET Wiring Regulations — Requirements for Electrical InstallationsBSI / IETBSI Knowledge
-
BS EN 62676 seriesCurrentVideo surveillance systems for use in security applications
Our summaries are a plain-English guide, not a substitute for the standard itself. British Standards are copyright of BSI and can be bought from BSI. Official links are checked automatically every week, and editions are reviewed by the SPS Technical team.
Free tools
Check your compliance, alarm signalling, CCTV storage and false alarm costs. No account needed.
Compliance Due Date Calculator
Find out when your next maintenance visit is due based on your system type and last service date.
Use this toolPSTN Switch-Off Checker
Get an initial indication of whether your alarm signalling will be affected by the UK PSTN switch-off.
Use this toolSystem Health Self-Assessment
Answer 10 questions to get a broad indication of your system health and compliance status.
Use this toolLocal Security Risk Assessment
Enter your postcode and describe your current systems to get a local security risk assessment.
Use this toolFree CCTV Health Check
Check your recording, footage retention, camera suitability, maintenance, security and privacy in around five minutes.
Use this toolFire Alarm Health Check
Review your commercial fire alarm testing, servicing, faults, records, monitoring and readiness in around five minutes.
Use this toolNot sure which standards apply to your building?
Tell us about your site and one of our local engineers will explain what you need, free of charge.