How to reset a fire alarm panel (and what to do first)

Direct answer

Before resetting a fire alarm panel, first identify why it activated — do not reset simply to clear an alarm or fault you cannot explain. Follow your premises fire procedure, and only silence the sounders once evacuation is complete; silencing does not cancel a signal already sent to an alarm receiving centre. Reset only once the cause is known and the area has been confirmed safe. Reset is a restricted function intended for a person authorised to operate the panel. The exact key sequence or menu steps to reset a panel are specific to the panel model; refer to the manual for your specific Hochiki panel for the precise procedure.

Applies to

• Products / Models: Hochiki Europe control panels, including the Latitude range (the exact reset sequence differs by panel; see your panel manual)
• Firmware / Version: Not applicable
• Region: UK / Europe
• Standards: BS 5839-1; BS EN 54-2 (control and indicating equipment: reset and silencing controls)

Before you reset: identify the cause

• Note which zone, loop or device address the panel indicates triggered the condition.
• Check the area indicated for a genuine fire condition, smoke, or an obvious cause such as steam, dust or work activity (for example hot work or cleaning).
• If the panel shows a pre-alarm rather than a fire alarm or a fault, inspect the area the pre-alarm came from. If there is no fire, record what was happening near that detector in the logbook and tell your maintenance company — a pre-alarm can indicate a slow-growing fire or a contaminated detector.
• Check whether the system transmits alarm signals to an alarm receiving centre (ARC). If it does, the signal may already have been passed on and the fire and rescue service may be on its way. Silencing or resetting the panel does not cancel a signal that has already been transmitted — contact the ARC directly.
• If you cannot identify a clear, safe explanation for the alarm, treat it as a possible genuine alarm and follow your premises fire procedure rather than resetting the panel.
• For a fault (rather than a fire alarm) condition, see Why is my fire alarm panel showing a fault or beeping? before resetting.

Steps (general)

These steps apply to a fire alarm condition. For a pre-alarm, inspect the area and record what you find as described above; how a pre-alarm clears differs by panel, so check your panel manual rather than working through the alarm-silencing and device-reset steps below.

1. Investigate the cause
   • Go to the indicated zone/device location and confirm whether there is a genuine fire condition or an identifiable non-fire cause.
2. Confirm the area is safe
   • Only proceed to reset once you are satisfied there is no fire and the area is safe.
3. Silence the sounders only once evacuation is complete
   • Only silence once evacuation is complete and your premises procedure allows it. Alarm notification signals should not be silenced while occupants are still evacuating. Silencing does not clear the alarm condition, and it does not cancel any signal already sent to an alarm receiving centre.
4. Clear the alarm condition at the device
   • Reset the manual call point or detector that operated before you reset the panel. A latching alarm at the device will hold the panel in alarm and the reset will not take.
5. Refer to your panel manual for the reset procedure
   • Reset is a controlled function: BS EN 54-2 requires the reset control to be reachable only at a restricted access level, so on a conforming panel it sits behind a key, a code or a locked enclosure and is intended for a person authorised to operate it. The exact key, code or menu sequence is specific to your panel model. Refer to the current manual for your specific Hochiki panel; do not guess at the sequence.
6. Confirm the panel returns to normal
   • After resetting, confirm the panel display returns to the normal/quiescent state with no outstanding fault or alarm indication.
7. Log the event
   • Record the event in the system logbook. Where the activation was a false alarm, BS 5839-1 recommends recording the date and time, the identity and location of the device, the category and reason for the false alarm, the activity in the area if the reason is unknown, the action taken, whether the fire and rescue service were called and whether they attended, and who recorded the entry. These records are what your service provider uses at each visit to identify persistent causes. If false alarms recur, see How do I reduce false alarms on a fire alarm system?. If part of the system has to be taken out of service while the cause is investigated, see How to disable part of a fire alarm system safely.

Do not

• Do not repeatedly reset or silence the panel to clear an unexplained alarm or fault without identifying the cause first.
• Do not reset a genuine fire alarm condition to "make it stop" — follow your premises fire procedure instead.
• Do not attempt a reset sequence from memory or guesswork if you are unsure of the correct procedure for your panel model.
• Do not assume that resetting the panel stands the fire and rescue service down.
• Do not reset the panel if you have not been authorised to operate the panel controls; tell the person responsible for the system instead.

When to contact technical support

• If you cannot identify the cause of the activation.
• If the panel will not reset, or returns to an alarm or fault state immediately after resetting.
• If you are unsure of the reset procedure for your specific panel model.

Safety note

This article is general guidance for Hochiki Europe products. Design, installation, commissioning, maintenance and modification of fire detection and alarm systems should be carried out by, or under the responsibility of, a competent person in accordance with the applicable standards (for example BS 5839-1 in the UK). Statutory requirements imposed by the relevant enforcing authority also apply. Always refer to the current product manual and data sheet for the exact model before carrying out any work.

Last reviewed: 2026-10-22 — Reviewed by: Hochiki Europe Technical Support