Why Your Fire Alarm System Should Be Serviced Before Year-End

Maryna Farrell
17 hours ago
2 min read

As the end of the year approaches, many businesses wind down for the Christmas break. But right now is actually the most important time to service your fire alarm system. The combination of colder weather, reduced staffing, increased electrical load and rising building‑fire statistics means your system must be in peak condition before the festive break.

Regular servicing isn’t just for compliance… it protects your people, your property, and your insurance standing.

Fire Risk Remains High: What the Latest Statistics Show

Fire data across England and Wales consistently highlights the importance of operational fire detection systems:

Fire & Rescue Services attended 600,185 incidents in the year ending December 2024 - a 1.2% increase on the previous year.
Of these, 136,702 were fires.
In the year ending September 2024, services attended 38,375 building fires (dwelling + non‑dwelling).
Fire incidents involving buildings continue to make up a large proportion of “primary fires”, which are the most serious in terms of life and property risk.

These figures clearly show that fire remains a persistent risk. A properly serviced fire alarm significantly reduces the likelihood of a small fault becoming a major incident.

Why Year‑End Fire Alarm Servicing Matters 👇🏼

Winter causes more system faults

Cold temperatures, power surges, frozen components, and condensation all contribute to failures - particularly:

Battery deterioration
Sensor malfunctions
Panel faults
False alarms triggered by condensation or dust

A pre‑Christmas service ensures the system can withstand seasonal conditions.

Protection during low‑occupancy periods

Most businesses operate with fewer staff - or close entirely - during Christmas and New Year. Fires starting during unmanned periods are more dangerous and expensive.

A serviced fire alarm system increases the chance of early detection and reduces damage.

Insurance compliance

Insurers may challenge or deny claims if your alarm system isn’t serviced in line with British Standards.

Many policies explicitly require:

Annual professional servicing
Weekly testing
Evidence-based logbooks

A December service means you enter the new year fully compliant.

January is one of the busiest months for fire safety inspections. Booking your service in December ensures you keep ahead of your legal obligations and avoid long waiting times.

UK Fire Alarm Maintenance Requirements

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the building’s “responsible person” must ensure all fire safety systems are maintained.

Additionally:

BS 5839‑1 requires fire alarm systems in commercial buildings to be inspected by a competent engineer at least every six months and serviced annually.
Weekly testing of call points is expected (usually rotating call points each week).

Failing to follow these standards may result in enforcement notices, fines, or increased liability.

Servicing your fire alarm system before year‑end ensures: