Details:

Clause 48 of BS 5839-1:2017 provides a useful commentary on the intended purpose of a fire logbook and lists 7 specific recommendations on the information that should be recorded therein. A model format for a paper-based logbook is also provided in Annex E but it is NOT a requirement to provide a paper copy. This is clarified in the NOTE 2 at the end of clause 48.2 (as quoted above). However, there are other clauses in the standard which recommend additional information is recorded in the logbook¹ .

Accessibility and who the interested parties are is open to interpretation. In simple terms, access to the logbook needs to suitably controlled and clearly defined to ensure that persons with legitimate interest are able to read and where necessary update the records in a timely fashion to meet the intended purpose as expressed in clause 48. Such persons may include; fire alarm service/maintenance engineer, Fire Rescue Service, Fire risk assessor, responsible person, premises management.

¹ Specifically:

• Radio signal strengths (BS5839-1:2017 27.2k) )
• The rate of false alarms (BS5839-1:2017 30.2i) )
• A list of which initiating devices have been tested during the service visit (BS5839-1:2017 45.3.g)
• Agreed Variations (BS5839-1:2017 46.2