Fire Service Dumps False Alarm Calls: Businesses Must Step Up
The Fire Service has changed how it responds to non-domestic fire alarms outside normal hours. No more automatic rush-outs to every beep. Instead, businesses must get their act together and follow new rules. This move is part of the Service’s long-term Integrated Risk Management Plan, crafted after extensive public consultation.
Why the Switch? False Alarms Are a Massive Drain
Each year, around 10,000 incidents demand the Service’s attention, and a whopping 36% are automatic fire alarms. But here’s the kicker: 97% of those alarms are false. In commercial buildings, only 1.3% of alarms actually mean fire. These false call-outs waste precious resources, disrupt vital training, and hamper community safety efforts.
Business Owners: Here’s What You Need to Do
If you manage fire safety, listen up. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 means you must stay compliant or face legal trouble. Prepare now by:
- Reviewing and updating your Fire Risk Assessment and emergency procedures, including manual alarm checks and notification protocols.
- Training fire wardens or marshals on the new response rules so they’re ready to act.
- Informing all employees about the changes to avoid confusion during an alarm.
- Coordinating with your fire alarm monitoring company to align with the new policy.
- Analysing previous false alarms to spot and fix common triggers.
Don’t Get Complacent—False Alarms Still Matter
False alarms aren’t just a nuisance. Take gyms, for example, where steam from showers often triggers smoke detectors. If staff and visitors grow tired of alarms, they might ignore real dangers, risking lives in actual emergencies.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service urges local businesses and communities to support these changes to boost safety and save resources.
