Equipment and system testing

Undertaking a thorough fire risk assessment and implementing all guidance is only the beginning of ensuring compliance. Under Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, responsible persons must also keep all fire safety equipment and systems in good repair and efficient working order. This duty applies continuously, long after a system has been commissioned, with specific British Standards dictating the schedule of testing required for each component. Active fire systems – including fire alarms, fire suppression devices, and emergency lighting – typically demand the most frequent inspections, confirming they will detect, warn of, and control a fire when called upon. Meanwhile, although passive fire measures degrade less visibly, they still require periodic testing to confirm their fire-resisting performance has not been compromised, and to provide an opportunity for repair if any defects are found.

At Checkmate Fire, our team of highly qualified engineers provides support in both areas. Working closely with your teams on the ground, we conduct comprehensive tests to ensure equipment remains fully functional – both individually and as part of a fully connected fire safety system – and provide the clear, traceable evidence base required to meet evolving regulatory requirements.

Testing equipment and systems is essential, but this alone is not enough to prove compliance – it must be backed by clear reporting and certification too. Every test we carry out is documented in detail and meets rigorous British Standards, helping the responsible person demonstrate ongoing compliance with the requirements of the RRFSO. 

This evidence base also feeds directly into the golden thread, the digital record introduced under the Building Safety Act 2022. For higher-risk buildings, accountable persons have a legal duty to keep test results, maintenance schedules, and equipment data accurate, current, and accessible throughout the building’s life cycle – providing a single source of truth that must be shared with the Building Safety Regulatory and transferred intact if the building changes hands. Beyond legal duty, this same standard is increasingly expected as best practice by insurers, investors, and stakeholders more broadly, supporting due diligence for property transactions and giving relevant parties confidence that fire safety is being proactively managed.