Facility managers lack knowledge about fire protection systems
Published: 29. May 2026If you are responsible for operating fire protection systems, it is important that you understand your responsibilities and have documentation proving that you are in control of them. In practice, however, some operational managers lack the necessary training and do not know what to do if the alarm goes off.
What do the yellow and red lights on the automatic fire alarm system mean? How do you carry out the legally required inspections and correctly complete the logbook? Can you simply pull the handle on the sprinkler system? And what exactly should you do if the fire alarm sounds?
Yes, there are many things you need to know as the operational manager of an automatic fire alarm system or a sprinkler system. And far from everything can be learned from the manuals. Therefore, in many cases it is also a requirement that operational managers complete a course providing them with a basic understanding of the systems’ functions and insight into the responsibilities that come with the role. The course certificate must be stored in the fire safety cabinet and presented during the annual inspection.
Although functioning fire protection systems are a crucial part of a building’s fire safety, gaps in operations occur a little too often. If the operational manager leaves and a new one has to be hired, there is often a period before the new manager is fully settled into the role and has completed the required training. This creates a period where the necessary knowledge is lacking on site.
»Some are unaware of the full extent of their responsibilities and feel much more confident after completing the course«
“When people attend a course for operational managers at DBI, they come partly because it is a requirement if a system has been designed and installed according to one of DBI’s technical guidelines. But they also come because they are new to the role and need knowledge. Some are actually unaware of the full extent of their responsibilities and feel much more confident and less apprehensive after completing the course,” says Benny Henningsen, Inspector and instructor at DBI.
“I’ve got my resting heart rate back”
Brian Bak can certainly relate to that. He started as Facility Assistant and operational manager for the fire alarm system at LIF – The Danish Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry in January. At that point, his predecessor had already left, so he spent a couple of months feeling nervous and inadequate before attending the course and gaining the necessary knowledge.
“I was really looking forward to the course because I didn’t know how to handle a potential incident. It felt unsafe because I like to be in control, and everyone looks at me if the alarm goes off. Fortunately, I’ve only experienced fault alarms caused by smoke from construction work, but before the course I didn’t know when an alarm is automatically forwarded to emergency services, in which situations I should contact the installation company, and when I should be able to solve the issue myself. Now I know my responsibilities, so I’ve got my resting heart rate back,” says Brian Bak, elaborating:
»The course has been ‘the missing link,’ and I’ve gone from zero to now having a basic understanding of the field«
“I knew inspections had to be carried out and that a logbook had to be maintained at regular intervals. But I didn’t know what needed to be checked, when it should be done, or how. Now I do. At the same time, I was nervous about pressing the wrong button and about failing to intervene when action was required. So the course has really been ‘the missing link,’ and I’ve gone from zero to now having a basic understanding of the field.”
Handbook used as a reference guide
Brian Bak is also very pleased with the handbook that came with the course.
“I use the handbook as a reference guide. It contains a lot about requirements and regulations, and it’s nice to have one place where everything is gathered together. After the course, everything makes sense,” says Brian Bak, adding:
“Although I had a couple of uncomfortable months before the course, I’m glad my manager sent me on the course as soon as possible. And it’s great to work at a company that takes fire safety seriously – for example, I’m already enrolled in three additional courses on fire prevention, operations, inspection, and maintenance.”
