📘 What Is a Fire Alarm Commissioning Certificate?
The Fire Alarm Commissioning Certificate confirms that a fire detection and alarm system has been commissioned in accordance with the design, manufacturer’s instructions and BS 5839. It records the extent of the system, key checks completed, soak testing and any significant variations.
Purpose
Why the Certificate Exists
- Provides formal evidence that the system has been commissioned and tested.
- Documents the extent of the system, installation type and any limitations or outstanding work.
- Supports handover to the responsible person, including documentation and logbook completion.
- Demonstrates due diligence for fire risk assessments, insurers and enforcing authorities.
When to Use
Commissioning Scenarios
- New fire alarm installations (full system commissioning).
- Alterations to existing systems (for example, detector re‑layouts, panel upgrades).
- Extensions to existing systems adding devices or zones.
- Projects where soak testing and unwanted alarm measures must be recorded formally.
Lux Meter Pro
How Lux Meter Pro Helps
- FireAlarmCommissioningView collects all commissioning data into a
CertReport. - FireAlarmPDFGenerator uses that data to build a clean, professional commissioning certificate.
- Digital signatures are embedded from your stored signature image.
- Certificates are easy to email, archive or present during audits.
🔢 Fire Alarm Commissioning Certificate – Section Overview
The Lux Meter Pro Fire Alarm Commissioning view uses numbered sections that are mapped directly to report keys in your CertReport.
Below is a high‑level summary of each section.
| Section | Purpose | Main Fields |
|---|---|---|
| Header & Certificate Number | Identifies the certificate and links it to the job/site. | Certificate number, header titles and BS standard reference (via localised strings in the app). |
| 1 – Client Details | Identifies the responsible person or organisation. | Client name, client address. |
| 2 – System Details | Defines the installation address, system extent and whether it is a new system, alteration or extension. | Installation address, system extent, installation type radio‑button selection. |
| 3 – Examination & Recommendations | Records key commissioning checks, documentation status and issues such as unwanted fire alarms. | Equipment operates correctly, installation standard, system inspected, documentation, work to be completed, potential false alarms, soak test period. |
| 4 – Related Documents | Lists design specs, drawings, zone charts and other referenced documents. | Related documents field. |
| 5 – Certificate of Commissioning | Formal commissioning statement, variations, and commissioning engineer details and signature. | Variations, commissioning engineer name, position, date, signature. |
| 6 – Contractor Details | Identifies the company issuing the certificate. | Trading title, address, registration number, telephone number, postcode. |
1️⃣ & 2️⃣ Client & System Details
Sections 1 and 2 define who the system is for and exactly what part of the premises the commissioning certificate covers.
| Field | Report Key | What to Enter |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Number | certificate_number |
Unique reference for this commissioning certificate (for example, “FAC‑2025‑001”). Use your internal numbering scheme for traceability. |
| Client Name | client_name |
Name of the building owner, occupier or responsible person (for example, “ABC Offices Ltd”). |
| Client Address | client_address |
Postal address of the client or head office, used for formal correspondence and records. |
| Installation Address | installation_address |
Address of the premises where the fire alarm system has been installed or altered. This may be the same as the client address or a specific building on a larger site. |
| System Extent | system_extent |
Short description of which areas or parts of the building are covered by this system (for example, “All office floors and main stair cores”, or “Ground floor retail area only”). |
| Installation Type | installation_type |
Stored internally as one of: “New”, “An alteration”, “An extension”. In the app you choose from radio buttons; the canonical key is saved for PDF and future editing. |
Tip: The combination of installation address, system extent and installation type defines exactly what the commissioning certificate applies to.
This is important for phased projects or partial upgrades.
3️⃣ Examination, Documentation & Unwanted Alarms
Section 3 captures confirmation that the system has been examined, that it operates correctly, and that documentation and measures are in place to minimise unwanted alarms.
| Item | Report Key | What to Record |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment Operates Correctly | equipment_operates |
Set to “Yes” if all relevant equipment (detectors, call points, sounders, interfaces, panels) operates correctly on test. Set to “No” if any significant unrectified issues remain. |
| Installation to Acceptable Standard | installation_standard |
“Yes” if the standard of installation is acceptable and broadly complies with BS 5839 and design specifications; “No” if there are workmanship issues or deviations to highlight. |
| System Inspected | system_inspected |
“Yes” where the system has been visually inspected and tested as required by the design and relevant standard; “No” only if commissioning is incomplete. |
| Specification Prepared By | specification_by |
Name or organisation responsible for the design/specification used (for example, “Consulting Engineers Ltd”, or “In‑house design team”). |
| Documentation Provided | system_documentation |
“Yes” if design, as‑fitted drawings, zone charts, user instructions and logbooks have been provided and handed to the responsible person. |
| Work to Be Completed Before/After Occupation | work_to_complete |
List any minor outstanding work, such as final labelling, additional devices in new areas or minor corrections that do not prevent safe occupation. |
| Potential for Unwanted Alarms | false_alarms |
Summarise any identified risks for false alarms (for example, steam near detectors, cooking fumes) and any mitigation or recommendations. |
| Soak Test Duration | soak_test_weeks |
Number of weeks recommended or agreed for soak testing (for example, “4”). Soak testing is often used on new systems to monitor performance and unwanted alarms. |
Unwanted Alarms:
BS 5839 places strong emphasis on limiting unwanted fire alarm signals.
Use the “Potential false alarms” and “Soak test weeks” fields to document how you have considered and mitigated this risk.
4️⃣ Related Documents
Section 4 is a simple but important reference to the associated design and installation documents used during commissioning.
| Field | Report Key | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Related Documents | related_documents |
Examples:
|
5️⃣ Certificate of Commissioning & Engineer Details
Section 5 is where the commissioning engineer formally certifies the system, records any variations and signs off the work.
| Field / Area | Report Key | What to Enter |
|---|---|---|
| Variations from Standard / Design | variations |
Summarise any significant variations from the specification or standard (for example, detector spacing compromises). Use “None” if there are no variations. |
| Commissioning Engineer – Name | commissioning_name |
Full name of the person responsible for commissioning tests and completing the certificate. |
| Commissioning Engineer – Position | commissioning_position |
Role or job title (for example, “Fire Alarm Engineer”, “Commissioning Engineer”). |
| Commissioning Date | commissioning_date |
Date of commissioning completion/sign‑off, stored in dd/MM/yyyy format. |
| Commissioning Signature | commissioning_signature_data |
In Lux Meter Pro the signature image is loaded from SignatureImageStorage, converted to Base64 PNG and saved to this field to be embedded in the PDF. |
Note: If no signature image is available in the app, the
commissioning_signature_data key is removed.
For formal projects, always ensure a valid digital signature is stored before generating the PDF.
6️⃣ Electrical / Fire Alarm Contractor Details
Section 6 identifies the contractor responsible for the design, installation or commissioning of the fire alarm system.
| Field | Report Key | What to Enter |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Title | contractor_trading |
Registered trading name of the company issuing the certificate. Defaults can be pre‑loaded from stored contractor settings in the app. |
| Address | contractor_address |
Business address for the contractor, as used on invoices and scheme records. |
| Registration Number | contractor_registration |
Any relevant registration or certification numbers (for example, BAFE, NICEIC, NSI, SSAIB), or leave blank if not applicable. |
| Telephone Number | contractor_telephone |
Main contact number for the contractor for support and maintenance queries. |
| Postcode | contractor_postcode |
Postcode associated with the contractor’s address; used to match scheme provider records. |
✏️ How to Complete the Fire Alarm Commissioning Certificate in Lux Meter Pro
FireAlarmCommissioningView is designed to match the paper certificate layout closely. Follow this workflow inside the app to create consistent, professional commissioning certificates.
Step 1
Open or Create a Fire Alarm Commissioning Report
- From the dashboard, select the Fire Alarm Commissioning option.
- Create a new report or open an existing draft associated with the site.
- The app shows a loading state while it calls
loadDataFromReport()and populates fields.
Step 2
Fill in Client & System Details (Sections 1 & 2)
- Enter the certificate number, client name and client address.
- Confirm the installation address and system extent.
- Choose whether the installation is New, An alteration or An extension using the radio buttons (saved as
installation_type).
Step 3
Complete Examination & Recommendations (Section 3)
- Tick the boxes confirming equipment operates correctly, installation standard and system inspected, where applicable.
- Record who the specification was prepared by.
- Confirm that documentation is provided and describe any work to be completed before/after occupation.
- Document the potential for unwanted alarms and set the soak test weeks value (default “4”).
Step 4
List Related Documents (Section 4)
- Enter drawing numbers, cause & effect references, zone charts and other key documents in the Related Documents field.
- Keep references consistent with your fire strategy and record systems for easy cross‑checking.
Step 5
Complete Commissioning Details & Signature (Section 5)
- Enter any variations from the standard or specification, or leave “None” where fully compliant.
- Fill in commissioning name, position and date using the in‑app date picker.
- Ensure your digital signature is stored in the app settings so it appears in the Signature panel.
Step 6
Check Contractor Details & Save (Section 6)
- Verify trading title, address, registration number, telephone and postcode.
- Use the Save Certificate button in the app to trigger
performSave(), which writes all data back to yourCertReportand callsonSave. - Watch for the green “Save success” banner confirming that save has completed.
Step 7
Generate & Review the PDF
- Tap Generate PDF to save data and then call
FireAlarmPDFGenerator.generatePDF(from:). - Lux Meter Pro presents a PDF preview so you can review all details, signatures and layout.
- Share or export the PDF for your client, fire risk assessor or scheme provider.
✅ Fire Alarm Commissioning Checklist
Before you issue a Fire Alarm Commissioning Certificate from Lux Meter Pro, run through this quick checklist.
Client and installation details are correct and clearly identify the premises and system extent.
Installation type (New / Alteration / Extension) is set correctly and matches the project scope.
Key checks in Section 3 are honestly recorded – equipment operation, installation standard, inspection and documentation.
Unwanted alarm risks and soak test period are documented with any recommendations clearly written.
Variations are listed accurately or confirmed as “None” where fully compliant to design and standard.
Commissioning engineer details and digital signature are present and the date is correct.
Contractor details are up to date, including registration or approval numbers where relevant.
PDF preview has been checked visually for layout, spelling, names, addresses and dates before submission.
Commission Fire Alarm Systems with Confidence
Use Lux Meter Pro to standardise your Fire Alarm Commissioning Certificates, embed digital signatures and produce audit‑ready PDFs directly on your iPhone or iPad.