What is a functional test?

Leading fire codes and standards such as BS:5839 and NFPA 72, clearly describe the frequency at which testing must be carried out and the type of tools that should be used. 

The key thing is to ensure regular functional testing is carried out, (typically every 6 months), and that the tools used to carry out the testing are safe to use (for both the detector and the operator). The tools used for testing should be approved by the detector manufacturer. 

In our latest Toolbox Talk, we look at the importance of functional testing – addressing what this type of test consists of, why it should be carried out, the difference between this and other types of test and, finally, a look at what the approved tools actually look like.