How to Test Your Earthquake Trigger System
An earthquake trigger system that hasn't been tested is a system you can't rely on. Like any life-safety device, the MK6 requires periodic testing to confirm it will respond correctly when ground acceleration exceeds the trigger threshold. The test procedure is straightforward and takes less than five minutes.
How often should you test?
Testing every six months is recommended. This aligns with the maintenance intervals common to other life-safety systems — fire panel checks, pressure relief valves, emergency lighting — and fits naturally into a biannual building maintenance programme.
Log each test. The MK6 event counter increments with every activation, including test triggers. Recording the date, tester, and counter reading gives you an audit trail that may be useful for insurance purposes or post-earthquake reporting.
What you need before you start
Before testing, identify what the MK6 relay output is connected to — a gas shutoff valve, a machine emergency stop, a BMS input, or a combination. Notify anyone who will be affected by a brief shutdown. On sites where gas interruption requires a manual restart procedure, coordinate with the relevant people so the reset can be carried out promptly.
The test procedure
The correct method depends on the sensitivity setting the unit is configured to.
On the most sensitive setting (0.012g)
Touching the case lightly with a screwdriver is sufficient to trigger the unit. Observe the output relay — the connected device should respond immediately.
At the 0.100g setting
Strike the concrete firmly with a heavy hammer close to the MK6 mounting point. The shock travels through the structure and into the unit, triggering the sensor. This is the method specified in the MK6 manual for confirming correct operation at this sensitivity.
Do not strike the MK6 enclosure directly — the aim is to replicate the way seismic energy reaches the unit through the building structure, not to physically impact the device.
What to check during the test
- Relay fires — the output relay should activate within milliseconds of the shock. Any hesitation or failure to trigger indicates a fault worth investigating.
- Connected device responds — confirm that whatever is wired to the relay output (valve, BMS, alarm) responds as expected.
- Relay holds — the relay remains active for 8 seconds after the last exceedance. Confirm it stays activated for this period before resetting.
- Event counter increments — the counter should have advanced by one. Note the new reading in your log.
After the test
Once the relay hold period has elapsed, the unit resets automatically and normal operation resumes. If the relay is connected to a gas valve, restore gas supply following your normal re-energisation procedure — check for any signs of leakage before restoring appliances.
If the unit fails to trigger during testing, do not assume it will trigger in a real event. Check the sensitivity setting, confirm the unit has power, and inspect the mounting — correct installation is critical to reliable detection.
Mounting matters
The MK6 manual specifies mounting on a large mass of concrete that is in intimate contact with the earth — a suitable site is usually found in the foundations of a building. A single 6 mm masonry anchor through the hole in the centre of the aluminium base holds the unit firmly on its three feet. Do not over-tighten.
If the unit has been relocated since installation, or if building work has been carried out nearby, confirm the mounting is still correct. A unit that is loosely fixed or mounted away from a structural concrete mass may fail to detect seismic acceleration reliably.