How to Silence and Reset a Fire Alarm Panel Safely
Knowing how to silence and reset a fire alarm panel is essential for staff who are responsible for fire safety in their workplace. However, this must always be done safely and in line with local procedures. Resetting too early, or without investigation, can put people at risk.
This guide explains the general principles behind silencing and resetting a fire alarm panel. Always follow your site-specific procedures and any instructions provided by your fire alarm company.
Important Safety Warning
Before silencing or resetting a fire alarm:
- Confirm whether there are any signs of fire (smoke, smell, reports from staff or the public).
- Follow your building’s fire procedure regarding evacuation and investigation.
- Never assume an alarm is false until it has been properly checked.
Life safety always comes before convenience. Silencing the alarm must not delay evacuation if there is a real fire.
Typical Steps to Silence a Fire Alarm Panel
While different panels vary, many follow a similar sequence. Usually, an authorised person with a key or code will carry out these steps:
- Observe the panel: Confirm that it is indicating a fire condition (often a red light and text such as “Fire”).
- Identify the location: Check which zone or address has activated.
- Confirm evacuation status: Ensure the building has been evacuated or an investigation is underway, as per procedure.
- Press the Silence or Silence Alarms button: This usually stops the sounders while keeping the panel in fire condition.
Silencing the alarm does not clear the fire condition; it simply stops the audible warning sounders.
Typical Steps to Reset a Fire Alarm Panel
Resetting should only be done once the cause of the alarm has been found and safely dealt with.
- Investigate the source: Staff should inspect the indicated area if it is safe to do so.
- Confirm the cause: For example, burnt toast, steam, or a genuine incident that has been resolved.
- Ensure all call points and detectors are normal: Make sure no manual call point remains activated and the area is safe.
- Press the Reset button: This attempts to return the system to its normal condition.
If the panel fails to reset and re-activates, there may still be an issue on the system that requires further investigation or an engineer.
Common Issues When Resetting the System
Sometimes, a fire alarm will not reset properly. Common reasons include:
- A manual call point is still activated
- Smoke or heat remains near the detector
- There is a fault on the detection circuit
- The system requires engineer intervention
In such cases, staff should follow local procedures and contact the responsible person or fire alarm company.
Why Staff Need Training to Operate the Fire Alarm Panel
Silencing and resetting a fire alarm panel may seem simple, but should only be done by staff who understand the system and the associated risks. Proper training helps:
- Prevent unsafe resets during real fires
- Ensure alarms are investigated properly
- Reduce unnecessary disruption
- Support compliance with fire safety procedures
Our fire alarm training course teaches non-technical staff how to safely operate fire alarm panels, including silencing and resetting in realistic workplace scenarios.