Changes to the way firefighters respond to automatic fire alarms

Cheshire firefighters are advising businesses that from April 1st 2017 there will be changes to the way they respond to all Automatic Fire Alarms (AFAs).

From this date onwards, Cheshire fire crews will not respond to any AFAs at the majority of business premises (including schools) unless a caller at the building reasonably believes that there is a fire.

AFAs from premises where there could be people sleeping, such as care homes, hospitals, private dwellings, hotels, hostels, halls of residence, very high risk industrial sites and high rise buildings will will continue to get an emergency attendance.

Of the total number of AFAs attended in 2015/16, just over 1% of the calls required any firefighting action. AFAs cost business time, money and divert firefighters from genuine emergencies and other duties. They also put road users and pedestrians at risk as fire engines respond at speed on blue lights.

The changes

Although the current emergency attendance to places where people sleep will not change, the new procedure will help bring down false emergency calls in non-domestic premises (which include schools).

The system will work so that when a call comes in from a building at any time during the day or evening, a fire engine will not automatically be sent. A 999 call will need to be made from someone at the premises, who reasonably believes that a fire has broken out. Only then will fire engines respond.

Fire safety managers at business premises need to be aware of this change and include it in their fire procedures and risk assessment. They also need to make their staff aware that, in the event of a fire, they should call 999 immediately.

Video - the changes

Free presentations - find out more about the changes

We have been working with local business and schools to promote the change, so that everyone is aware of how this change will affect emergency call outs, but to help people even further, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is putting on four free bespoke presentations at the Winsford Headquarter which will cover all aspects of fire safety advice and legislation.

The subjects covered at all of these presentations will include:

Completing a fire risk assessment and capturing the correct data
Your responsibilities as a business under the (Regulatory Reform) Fire Safety Order 2005
Sprinklers
Highlighting changes to the way firefighters respond to AFAs from April 1st 2017.

Presentation for schools

On Friday 5th May there are two FREE presentations specifically aimed at school head teachers and their health and safety staff.

The first session starts at 9.30am and runs until 12 noon and the second starts at 1.30pm, finishing at 4pm and will be dedicated purely to school staff.

Book your place at one of the presentations for schools

Alternatively, please email bizfire@cheshirefire.gov.uk stating which event you prefer or phone Business Safety Manager Tracey Carter on 01606 868761.

Presentation for businesses

On Monday 8th May there are two FREE presentations which are aimed at businesses. The first starts at 9.30am and runs until 12 noon and the second starts at 1.30pm, finishing at 4pm.

Book your place at one of the presentations for businesses

Alternatively, please email bizfire@cheshirefire.gov.uk stating which event you prefer or phone Business Safety Manager Tracey Carter on 01606 868761.