Common sense vs QRH
The QRH is a tool that should be used in non-normal situations. Going against the QRH is a bad idea unless you are absolutely sure that you know what you are doing. It is written in blood.... Testing the fire system sounds like a good idea but I wouldn't do it myself since I don't have suffiicient technical knowledge about the fire system. As far as I'm concerned the fire test could just as well be disabled after turning the handle for that particular engine.
Being creative can be a good idea but there are plenty of more accidents when people have been creative than when they haven't. Furthermore, you need to be able to back up your actions in a court of law...
Naturally, the QRH doesn't cover all possible problems and it says clearly in the beginning of it. But being creative in an already serious situation that is uncalled for can prove devistating...