Colt Service & maintenance: Your obligations

No matter how well equipment has been designed, manufactured, installed and commissioned, the possibility for failure cannot be ignored.

For life safety equipment such as Smoke Control Systems, the building operator or owner is required by law to provide a suitable system of maintenance to maintain the system in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.

This is a requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Furthermore the DCLG Guides to the regulations suggest that "The smoke control system should be maintained by a competent person who is familiar with the fire engineering performance specifications of that specific system." Colt can advise you on the scope of these Regulations.

The regulations do not specify a maximum time interval for maintenance, but BS 5588-12 recommends annual maintenance of smoke control systems.

Planned and regular maintenance can extend the life of an item, and reduce the likelihood of down-time. Such a programme also may permit the equipment to be updated in line with the latest technological advances and standards.