Recording inspection dates and reminders; the effect of continuity on safety.
Fire safety is not a one-off installation but an ongoing responsibility. Even the best equipment becomes unreliable over time if maintenance is skipped. Why is a periodic maintenance schedule necessary? Because recording inspection dates is the only assurance that equipment will actually work when a fire breaks out.
Why must maintenance be "periodic"?
Pressure drops, seals age, hoses harden, refill dates pass. None of this is apparent at a glance. That is why the regulation ties inspections to set intervals: fire extinguisher maintenance is done to TS ISO 11602-2, and fire cabinet maintenance to TS EN 671-3.
Which equipment, at what interval?
As a general framework:
- Fire extinguisher: Monthly visual check, refill/maintenance at least once every two years, hydrostatic test in later years.
- Fire cabinet and hose: A full check at least once a year; a pressure test of the hoses at set intervals.
- Fire installation: Periodic inspection and testing of the pump, valves and line.
Exact periods vary by equipment type and manufacturer's instructions; so each item's own date must be tracked. In our fire extinguisher inspection frequency article we covered this topic in detail.
The benefit of keeping a schedule
- Being ready for inspection: Inspection records let you present documents smoothly during an audit.
- No surprise costs: Timely maintenance extends equipment life and reduces the cost of mass failures and emergency replacement.
- Real safety: Most importantly, being sure the equipment will work when a fire breaks out.
How to set up tracking
A good system doesn't have to be complex: the location, type, last inspection and refill date, and next maintenance date of each device are recorded. In the services we provide, we record these dates and remind you when they are due, so you don't have to think about the tracking.
Conclusion
A periodic maintenance schedule turns fire safety from "done and dusted" into a continuously working system. To set up your building's maintenance schedule together and assess the existing equipment, contact us.