Policy on fire service response to and management of unwanted alarm signals

Important information, please read:

Any reductions in the level and speed of the Fire and Rescue Service response can have serious consequences in respect of insurance cover provided by an insurance company, therefore, it is strongly recommended that immediate action is taken to review fire alarm systems to ensure that fire safety management and fire alarm maintenance arrangements are satisfactory and that false alarms are prevented.

To tackle unwanted signals from fire alarm systems, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) has introduced a policy using guidance from the new “Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) policy for the reduction of false alarms and fire signals.”

Policy documentation

HFRS policy directive: PD/6/25 - Unwanted fire signals from automatic fire detection systems. If you have any queries, please contact HFRS Business Education (email: business.education@hantsfire.gov.uk).

Policy summary

The fire alarm system shall be designed, installed, commissioned and maintained by persons competent to do so. A definition of “competent persons” is given in the glossary (section 27). CFOA recommend that fire and rescue services require the use of third party accreditation schemes.
Refer to section 25 – UKAS accreditation for Automated Fire Alarm & Fire Detection Alarm Systems.
Your premises shall have a nominated “responsible person” who is responsible for the operation, user maintenance and management of the fire alarm system.
Responsible person:- (BS 5839-1:2002): Person having control of the building and/or premises whether as occupier or otherwise, or any person delegated by the person having control of the building and/ or premises to be responsible for the fire alarm system and the fire procedures.
You must have at least two nominated key holders (who may or may not be the “responsible person”) who are trained to operate the fire alarm; able to attend the premises within 20 minutes, be contactable by telephone and with their own transport. The key holders must also have the ability to gain access to all areas of the premises and be able to fully operate and reset the fire alarm system.

Policy aims and objectives

To provide a uniform process for those parties involved in managing the reduction of false alarms and unwanted fire signals.
To reduce the number of false alarms generated by fire detection and fire alarm systems.
To reduce the numbers of unwanted fire signals sent to fire and rescue services.
To provide the most appropriate response by fire and rescue services to calls arising from fire alarm actuation.
Improve the fire safety management of the protected premises
Reduce the impact of false alarms on business and commerce
Enable the fire and rescue service to safely deploy its emergency intervention resources on the basis of risk
To prevent the complacency of building users that arises when fire alarm systems repeatedly generate false alarms.
Reduce the waste of resources that result from false alarms.

Response levels

It is accepted that it would be impossible to eliminate false alarms completely, however, it is recognised that there is a real need to greatly reduce them.

Note

Confirmed fires – those where an activation is supported or verified by a 999 or 112 call – or telephone contact to the premises by the ARC – will attract a full emergency response
A signal from a fire alarm system with a good track record of reliability will, even in the absence of any other confirmation – receive a full emergency response
A risk based approach will take into account factors such as time of day, i.e. sleeping risk, occupancy of the premises, i.e. mobility, age, number of people, historical and cultural importance of the building

Level one

An immediate emergency response, resulting in an initial attendance based on a risk assessment of the fire fighting requirements.

Level two

In the absence of a confirmation call, the Fire Service will make an attendance, based on a risk assessment of the fire fighting requirements. The attendance may be made under non-emergency conditions, thereby maintaining the availability of the resources for other confirmed emergencies and protecting the public from the risk that arises from fire engines responding under emergency conditions.

Level three

No emergency response, until a confirmation of fire is received from the premises using the 999 or 112 systems. Such confirmation will result in an immediate emergency response, resulting in an initial attendance based on a risk assessment of the fire fighting requirements.

The persons responsible for the protected premises will be notified by the Fire Service if any changes to the attendance level by the Fire Service are to be made. Time for any appropriate remedial action to be taken will be given. Your insurance company must be immediately informed of this notification.

Guide to Reducing False Alarms from Automatic Fire Detection Systems

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has produced a guide which identifies how we intend to reduce the risks caused by unnecessary false alarms and gives details of practical steps that can be taken to reduce the incidence of false alarms. Download our 'Guide to Reducing False Alarms from Automatic Fire Detection Systems...' PDF 683Kb