Fire detection and alarm systems in workplaces are subject to periodic inspection. The inspection is carried out once a year in accordance with the system design and TS CEN/TS 54-14 standard.
An amendment dated 23 December 2025 also explicitly requires the installation design to be available during the inspection. Workplaces without a design must first arrange for an as-built survey and a suitable design to be prepared for the existing installation.
What does a fire detection periodic inspection cover?
Under the Regulation on Health and Safety Conditions in the Use of Work Equipment, fire detection and alarm systems are subject to periodic inspection. An amendment dated 18 February 2022 set the inspection frequency at once a year. The inspection is based on the installation design and TS CEN/TS 54-14.
The purpose of the inspection is not simply to check whether the control panel works. It assesses whether the installation complies with the design, the Regulation on the Protection of Buildings from Fire and the relevant standards. Differences that have arisen between the installed system and its design, missing devices or alterations may therefore be considered as part of the assessment.
Before the inspection, businesses should have the existing designs and records relating to the panel and devices available. The scope of the inspection is determined by the configuration of the system and the arrangement shown in its design. If the use of any areas in the workplace has changed or the installation has been extended, it is helpful to inform the person carrying out the inspection in advance.
Installation design requirement introduced by the 2025 amendment
The amendment published in the Official Gazette dated 23 December 2025, No. 33116, requires a design for the periodic inspection of fire mechanical installations and fire detection and alarm system installations. Employers must arrange for installations without a design to be designed in accordance with the Regulation on the Protection of Buildings from Fire and the relevant standards.
The design shows how the system should be installed and provides the benchmark against which the existing installation is assessed. Without a design, it may not be possible to reliably compare the location of equipment on site, the scope of the system and the installation’s compliance. The design requirement is therefore not just paperwork for the inspection; it is one of the foundations of the technical assessment.
If you are unsure whether you have a design, check the archives held by the building management, employer or technical department. If there are old drawings, compare them with the current site conditions. Also note any differences, such as partitions added later, changes in use or system extensions.
What should workplaces do if they do not have a design?
If no design is available, or the existing drawings do not match the system on site, the first step is to have the installation’s current condition surveyed. This work is known as an as-built survey. The fire alarm control panel, connected devices and existing installation layout are examined, and the information needed to prepare drawings is collected.
An installation design is then prepared based on the as-built survey. It must comply with the Regulation on the Protection of Buildings from Fire and the relevant standards. The design process should take account of the workplace’s current use and any changes to the installation. Once the design is complete, the periodic inspection can be carried out on the basis of this document and the relevant regulations.
- Check for existing system designs and records at the workplace.
- If there is no design, or it does not match the site, arrange an as-built survey.
- Have an installation design prepared to reflect the current conditions and applicable regulations.
- Request a periodic inspection to assess the design and the system on site together.
An as-built survey and design work do not replace a periodic inspection. They are preparatory steps that enable the inspection to be carried out on the basis of the design. To understand the current condition of your system, explore our fire detection and alarm system services or request a site survey.
Who can carry out the inspection?
Periodic inspections of fire detection and alarm systems may be carried out by people with the professional qualifications and competence specified in the regulations. Recognised qualifications include electrical engineers, electrical and electronics engineers, relevant technical teacher and technician qualifications, and authorised electronics engineers.
When choosing an inspector, do not rely solely on whether they have experience working with fire alarm systems. Check that they have the qualifications and competence required for a periodic inspection and are able to issue an inspection report. A technician from a maintenance provider does not have the same role as an authorised person carrying out a periodic inspection.
The periodic inspection report assesses the installation’s compliance with the design, regulations and standards. The business must plan the work needed to rectify any non-compliances identified. Keeping records of completed corrections and changes to the system will make the next inspection easier.
The difference between maintenance and periodic inspection
Maintenance involves service work to keep the system operational. This may include fault investigation, maintenance, testing and any necessary repairs. Maintenance intervals are determined by the system’s needs and the relevant standards. Article 84 of the Regulation on the Protection of Buildings from Fire requires emergency lighting, direction signs, and fire detection and alarm systems to be subject to periodic inspection, testing and maintenance as specified in the relevant standards; it does not set a specific number of months or days for maintenance.
Comprehensive maintenance at least twice a year, along with regular short checks by the user, is common practice in the industry. This should not be interpreted as a legally mandated number of maintenance visits for all systems. The appropriate interval should be determined in line with the system’s configuration and the requirements of the relevant standards.
A periodic inspection, by contrast, is an annual compliance assessment carried out by an authorised person. Having the system maintained does not, on its own, replace a periodic inspection report. Likewise, an annual inspection does not remove the need for regular system maintenance.
| Heading | Maintenance | Periodic inspection |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Service to keep the system operational | Assessment of compliance with the design, regulations and standards |
| Who carries it out? | Maintenance provider | Authorised person with the qualifications and competence specified in the regulations |
| Frequency | Determined by the system and relevant standards | Once a year |
For details of the steps technicians follow during a maintenance visit, read our fire alarm system maintenance checklist. You can also find out more about the scope of panel and detector maintenance in our article on fire alarm system and panel maintenance.
How should businesses prepare for an inspection?
Before the inspection appointment, gather the design, previous inspection reports if available, and maintenance records. List any system faults, disabled points or recent changes. This information helps the inspector assess the current condition accurately.
As access to relevant areas of the workplace may be required during the inspection, arrange for the building manager or technical staff to be available. If there are differences between the design and the devices on site, be sure to disclose them. Identifying any issues early makes it easier to plan design updates and corrective work.
Managers who want to keep up with other fire safety regulatory developments can also read our article on Decision No. 10026 on fire safety in buildings and Provisional Article 4.
Get support from Narstek with a site survey and inspection preparation
Narstek Elektronik Bina Teknoloji San. ve Tic. Ltd. Şti., based in Istanbul, provides site surveys, design, installation, maintenance and fault repair services for fire detection and alarm systems. If your premises have no project documentation, or the drawings do not match the installation on site, please contact us to assess the existing system and plan the as-built survey and design process. Please also bear in mind that periodic inspections must be carried out by an authorised person in accordance with the applicable regulations.
For a site survey and quote, use the site survey / quote form, submit a technical service request, or call 0212 424 07 24. You can also reach us on WhatsApp at 0540 001 07 24.
For an initial assessment, please share the full address of the premises, the building or business use, the approximate system scope, whether existing project documentation is available, and whether your request concerns maintenance, a fault, an as-built survey and design, or preparation for an inspection. If available, also include the control panel details, previous reports and existing drawings. Narstek’s address is Tevfikbey Mah. Halkalı Cad. No:112 Nazlı İş Merkezi Kat:3 Ofis No:64 Küçükçekmece / İstanbul.
Frequently asked questions
How often must a fire detection system undergo periodic inspection?
Fire detection and alarm systems in workplaces must undergo periodic inspection once a year. The inspection is carried out in accordance with the installation design and TS CEN/TS 54-14 standard.
Can a periodic inspection be carried out at a workplace without an installation design?
Under the amendment dated 23 December 2025, the installation design must be available during the inspection. Employers without a design must arrange for the installation to be designed in accordance with the relevant regulations and standards; a measured survey of the existing installation can be the first step.
Can the company that maintains a fire alarm system also issue its periodic inspection report?
Maintenance and periodic inspection are separate activities. The inspection must be carried out by a person with the titles and qualifications specified in the regulations; maintenance services alone do not replace the annual inspection.
How many times a year is maintenance of a fire alarm system required?
Article 84 of the Regulation on the Protection of Buildings from Fire does not specify a fixed number of months or days; maintenance and testing must be carried out as prescribed for the system by the relevant standards. Although at least two comprehensive maintenance visits a year are common in the industry, this should not be treated as a number required by law for all systems.
Share the panel brand, number of devices and address, and we’ll get back to you about a site survey and quote.