News

Advanced Unveils Smarter Fire System Testing with AdvancedLive

Advanced has launched Smart Walk Test, a new feature within AdvancedLive, the smart management platform available on MxPro 5 Gen-2 fire panels. Designed to support the testing and record-keeping requirements highlighted in the latest revision of BS 5839-1:2025, Smart Walk Test simplifies routine fire system testing and helps organisations demonstrate that testing has taken place.

Although facilities teams and maintenance contractors are both responsible for testing fire systems, their requirements are very different. Smart Walk Test has therefore been designed around two distinct testing modes: weekly testing for facilities teams and annual testing and maintenance activities for maintenance contractors.

For facilities teams, Smart Walk Test provides a simple, guided process that allows routine weekly tests to be completed quickly and confidently. Step-by-step prompts guide users through the testing of call points, sounders and outputs, while real-time pass/fail confirmation provides instant assurance that devices have responded correctly. Every activity is automatically logged within AdvancedLive, creating a secure digital record that makes testing information easier to capture, store and review.

The system can also track which call points have been tested and prompt users to rotate call point checks in line with best-practice guidance. Meanwhile, dashboard visibility gives facilities teams greater oversight of testing activity across one or multiple sites.

For maintenance contractors, Smart Walk Test supports a more efficient, connected approach to annual testing and maintenance activities. Engineers can remotely place zones into test mode, verify device activations in real time and track progress as testing is completed across the building. Testing activity can be recorded automatically as it happens, helping to create a clear, timestamped audit trail and detailed service record.

By allowing engineers to verify activations and monitor progress while moving through a building, Smart Walk Test can help testing be completed more quickly and efficiently while reducing administration. The platform also supports the testing of outputs and ancillary functions, including sounders, beacons, door releases and smoke control interfaces, during the same visit.

A central focus of Smart Walk Test is creating a stronger evidence trail. The latest revision of BS 5839-1 places continued emphasis on maintaining appropriate records of system inspection, testing and maintenance. Smart Walk Test supports this by providing automatically generated logs, timestamped testing histories and detailed activity records. Testing information can be stored securely, reviewed when required and used to support audits, inspections and compliance reviews, helping organisations demonstrate that testing has taken place.

Michael Dunbar, Digital Product Manager at Advanced, said: “Routine fire system testing remains essential, but it can be time-consuming, administration-heavy and difficult to evidence consistently. Smart Walk Test has been designed to make testing simpler for both facilities teams and maintenance contractors while providing a stronger digital record of testing activity. Whether you’re completing a routine weekly test or carrying out an annual service visit, Smart Walk Test helps make testing easier to carry out, easier to evidence and easier to manage.”

Smart Walk Test is available now through AdvancedLive for MxPro 5 Gen-2 fire panels running firmware version 60.04 or later and forms part of Advanced’s ongoing commitment to making fire system management smarter, simpler and more connected. Customers can download the latest firmware from the MxPro 5 Firmware Releases page: www.advancedco.com/customer-support/technical-support/software-download

Find out more about AdvancedLive here: advancedco.com/product/advancedlive-fire-panel-monitoring