Reducing False Alarms
Changing the way we respond to automatic fire alarms
Every year the Service responds to thousands of calls from automatic fire alarm systems, 98% of which turn out to be false alarms.
These cost businesses time and money, they divert firefighters from genuine emergencies and other duties and they put road users at risk as fire engines respond at speed with blue lights.
From July 2nd 2012 there will be some important changes to the way the Service respond to calls from automatic fire alarm systems. There will also be new ways in which the Service will work with premises that have persistent false alarms.
Find out more about the changes in the way we respond to automatic fire alarms
The safety of your business premises and its occupants can be greatly enhanced by the installation of an Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm System (AFA).
Properly used and maintained, the automatic system, with its fast response in detecting a fire, can be a significant factor in reducing the risk to life and limiting damage to your property.
Unfortunately, the very features that provide this fast response can also produce unwanted signals arising from activities other than a real fire.
What is a False Alarm / Unwanted Fire Signal?
An unwanted fire signal is a fire signal resulting from a cause other than a fire.
In other words, any call from an AFA that the fire and rescue service attends that is not actually a fire is considered to be an Unwanted Fire Signal.
How can you prevent a false alarm / unwanted fire signal?
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