DISCLAIMER:

This duty is currently under review and has not yet been formally signed off by the relevant professional association. The information provided is for reference only and should not be treated as final or authoritative guidance. Please verify any decisions against approved sources or seek professional advice. Updates will be published once sign-off is complete.

Simple terms explainer:

Councils must regularly check that fire alarms in public buildings work properly and keep a record of these checks. This means testing the alarms every week, having qualified engineers inspect them at least twice a year, and doing a full system review annually. Every test and inspection should be written down so there’s proof the alarms are safe and meet legal requirements.

Legal status

Statutory


Duty category

Corporate services

Community services

Environmental services


Duty type

Public impact


Social determinant of health

Neighbourhood and environment

Emerging policy and legislation


0

Bodies with shared interest

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS)

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Standards and frameworks


3