MIKE'S TOOLKIT

PPM Procedures

Engineer Guidance Only This guide is here to support you, but you must always follow your specific company policies and risk assessments. Equipment can fail, and unexpected issues often arise, if you are ever in doubt, stop and consult your senior or manager.

Take your time and do not rush, even if you are under pressure. We all have to start somewhere. Just remember: If you sign it, you own it. Always ensure your checks are thorough enough to put your name on.

Phase 1: Arrival & Setup

Sign In: Ensure all engineers are signed into the site visitor log and any online portals (if applicable).
Plan of Action: Explain to the client that you will need access to specific rooms in the building and you will try to test the fire alarm silently where possible,(The sounders on some 2-wire systems cannot be disabled), but a loud sounder test is required at the end (you will warn them first). Note: If a sounder test is refused, call your manager immediately; this is a critical part of the service.
Call ARC: Put the system on 'Test' with the monitoring station. Warning: If you forget this, the Fire Brigade may turn up!
Visual Check: Check the panel for faults and ensure it is in good physical condition. (keep your eye out while looking around for any damaged, loose or missing fire alarm equipment)
Zone Map Check: Ensure there is a map of the building with shaded fire alarm zones near all panels and repeaters
Log Book Check: Check the logbook for any previous faults or false alarms that need investigating. Use the records to identify exactly which area/zone needs to be tested on today's visit.

Phase 2: Testing

Disable Sounders: Prevent noise disruption during component testing. (This can be achieved front end in most cases but some conventional panels like Ctech require you to remove one core from each sounder circuit.)
(Note: If you are struggling with a specific panel, email me and I will prioritise a guide).
Test Mode: Put the fire panel into Test Mode. (Again, a guide can follow if theres enough interest)
Area Test: Test every device in the specific area scheduled for this visit (refer to logbook).
Zonal Check: Test 1 Manual Call Point and 1 Detector in every other zone/loop. Verify that the correct Zone Indicators light up on the panel (check against zone map/labels).
Fault Simulation: Create and check the following faults: (You can achieve this by removing one cable from each loop, zone or sounder circuit but be careful not to let them touch down and ensure you know what goes where when you put it back)
- Open circuit on each Loop.
- Open circuit on each Zone.
- Open circuit on each Sounder Circuit.
- Once you've confirmed these faults, put everything back. (Unless you need to have a cable removed to prevent the sounders going off)
Integrity Check: Remove a device (detector/call point) and test the device after it to ensure the circuit is still active.
Battery Check: Simulate a battery fault, load test the batteries, then reconnect and restore to normal charging.
Mains Check: Simulate a mains failure fault, then reconnect to restore mains power.
Buzzer, Indicator and screen test: If you haven't confirmed all of this already -

Buzzer check - Ensure the panel makes a noise if its in fault.
Indicators - Ensure all of the indicators light up.
Screen check - If there is one, find the menu to test the screen.

Restore panel: Once the panel has stopped going into alarm, put everything back. Your panel should now be fault free.

Phase 3: Completion & Handover

Notify Site: Warn staff that the sounders are about to be tested.
Clear Test Mode: Take the panel out of Test Mode.
Enable Sounders: Enable sounders and/or refit the sounder circuits if you havent already.
Q&A Tests: Set up and take Quiescent & Alarm load tests (Q&A) (A guide can be found here)
Power Supply Test: Set up and take Quiescent & Alarm load tests (Q&A) (A guide can be found here)
One last test: Carry out one last loud test, ideally carry it out further away to ensure the sounders can be heard in different parts of the building (Or ask a member of staff/public)
Normalise: Return the system to "Normal" status (ensure sounders are re-enabled, its out of test mode and there are no new faults).
Call ARC: Contact the Alarm Receiving Centre to take the system "Off Test."
Paperwork: Complete the entry in the on-site Log Book and fill out your company's Service Sheets/Apps.

Phase 1: Arrival & Checks

Sign In: Log arrival in the visitor book, online portal, and any site-specific logs.
Call ARC: Put the system on 'Test' with the monitoring station.
Log Book Check: Look through the customer's log book for any false alarm patterns or specific zones that have been causing trouble.
Visual Check: Check the keypad for existing faults, ensure the correct time/date is displayed, and check the panel location for loose cables or signs of tampering.

Phase 2: Walk Test

Engineer Mode: Enter the Engineer code. (On galaxys this has to be entered twice - code,esc,code)
Walk Test: Navigate to the Walk Test menu and select 'Silent Test' (Panel guides to follow if interest is shown).
Detectors & Contacts: Walk test every detector and open/close every door contact.
Panic Alarms (PA): Test every PA button, including the functionality and condition of wireless (radio) PAs.
Important: Ensure you have the correct reset key to hand before you press the button!
Log Check: Go back to the keypad and check the event log against your list of devices. Ensure every device activated. If any didn't, re-test them. If they still fail, report for repair.

Phase 3: Sounders, Power & Finishing

Bell Test (Outputs): Warn the site that this may be loud. Exit Walk Test and use the 'Test Outputs' menu. Select and trigger the Bells inside and out, then the Strobe of the external bell. Ensure the sirens are loud and the strobe flashes.
SAB Battery Backup: Open the main panel/PSU. Remove the Negative or Positive supply cable for the SAB/Bell. The bell should ring immediately using its own battery. (If you can't hear anything, the SAB battery may have failed).
Power Supply & Q&A Checks:
- Battery Fail + Load Test: Disconnect the panel battery. Ensure the panel shows a fault. Use your ACT meter to load test the battery capacity. Reconnect the battery.
- Mains Fail Check: Isolate the mains power. Ensure the panel shows a fault. Restore power.
- Q&A + PSU Checks: Carry out Q&A + PSU tests and calculations (A guide can be found here).
Confirmed Intruder: Carry out a confirmed intruder test by navigating to the full test menu, selecting 2 devices to test in the same area and set them off. The system will go into alarm, you may need to input the code to reset
Exit Engineer Mode: Put everything back to normal and exit the Engineer Menu completely. You must be in "Day Mode" for the next step.
Tamper Test: Now that you are out of programming, create a tamper by opening a device lid (detector, PSU, or sounder). Ensure the alarm activates.
Silence & Reset: Enter your code to silence the alarm and reset the system. (If you use the engineering code, you will have to enter it twice again)
Set & Unset: Check that the way the staff set and unset the alarm is sufficent and address any concerns
Signaling & Paperwork: Call the ARC to confirm all signals (Fire (This can be checked against sites weekly tests), Intruder, Confirmed intruder, PA, Open/Close, Tamper, Mains and battery fail if applicable). Complete the Log Book and Service Sheets.

Phase 1: Physical Checks

Maglocks/Strikes: Check they are secure, clean, and free of rust. Tip: Wipe the maglock face with a clean cloth; even a sticker or tape residue can drastically reduce holding force.
Armature Plates: Ensure the plate on the door is tight but has the necessary "wobble" (play) to sit flat against the magnet. If it's rigid, the door won't lock properly.
Door Closer: The most common "Access Control" fault is actually the door closer. Report or repair any door closers that prevent the door from closing shut

Phase 2: Functionality

Break Glass Unit (BGU): Test the green BGU. Safety Critical: This must physically cut power to the lock. (Use your reset key to test, or drop the front if it's a resettable type).
Request to Exit (RTE): Press the exit button. Does the door release? Check the button isn't sticking.
Readers/Keypads: Test with a fob or code.
- Does it beep and turn Green?
- Does the lock release for the correct duration?
- Check the keys aren't worn out or stuck.

Phase 3: Power & Integration

Battery Backup: Locate the Power Supply Unit (PSU). Load test the battery to ensure the door stays locked (or fails safe, depending on requirements) upon mains loss.
Fire Interface: Critical Test: If the system is linked to the fire alarm, trigger the fire alarm (or simulate the relay) and ensure the door unlocks immediately.
DO NOT DO THIS WITHOUT PERMISSION OR CORRECT TRAINING.
Voltage Check: Check the voltage at the lock. Voltage drop over long cable runs can cause weak holding force.

Phase 1: Room Checks

Call Point: Press the button on the bed/wall unit. Check the reassurance light on the unit activates immediately. (IF YOU HAVE PERMISSION ALSO CARRY OUT QUICK EMERGENCY TESTS ON EACH DEVICE)
Pear Push Leads: Check the handheld lead that plugs into the wall.
- Is the clip/socket damaged?
- Is the cable frayed or dirty? (Infection control is key here).
- Does the button work?
Pull Cords (WCs): Pull the red cord in the bathrooms.
- Check the red reassurance light activates.
- Important: Ensure the plastic handles/triangles are attached and the cord reaches near the floor (so someone fallen can reach it).
Over-door Lights: Step into the corridor. Ensure the light outside the room illuminates when a call is active.
Confirm and Reset: Confirm the correct address/room is indicated on the display and reset the point

Phase 2: Panel & System Checks

Zonal Sounders: If installed, ensure they sound when a call is made. Check volume levels—are they loud enough for night staff to hear?
Batteries: Check the battery backup in the main power supply unit (PSU). Nurse call systems must work during a power cut.
Intercoms: If the system has speech, test audio quality between the room and the panel. Can you hear the patient clearly?
Data Log: If the system records calls, check the time and date on the system are correct for accurate reporting.