ARTICLE 4
Automatic fire alarm systems: impact of changes to fire service response
Simon Joslin
Senior Risk Management Executive
Current UK fire alarm regulations state that all business premises must have ‘an appropriate fire detection system'.
That means that if there's a fire, there needs to be a way for that fire to be easily detected and occupants can be warned swiftly. However, to reduce unnecessary Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) response to false alarm activations on automatic fire alarm systems (AFAs), a number of FRS’s have amended their response criteria. These regional variations could, if not properly understood and managed, make the difference between a partial and total loss of the premises.
Examples of fire service approach
- The London Fire and Rescue Service announced it will stop attending automatic fire alarms, from October 2024, in most commercial buildings between 7am and 8:30pm. This includes office blocks or industrial estates, during daytime hours – unless they receive a call reporting a fire.
- As of 1 April 2024, the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service will no longer attend automatic fire alarms (AFAs) at low-risk commercial premises.
- As of 1 July 2023, firefighters in Scotland will no longer respond to automatic fire alarms in commercial premises. Exceptions include sleeping premises such as hospitals, domestic dwellings, care homes, or hotels, who will continue to receive emergency responses as normal.
- In April 2022, the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) changed how it responds to AFAs in non-sleeping risk premises, during the day between 8am – 7pm, seven days a week. Since May 2023, LFRS no longer responds to automatic fire alarm activations, unless the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) confirmed that the premises provides sleeping accommodation. LFRS continues to respond to confirmed fires.
Businesses with premises protected by remote signalling AFAs should ensure they are aware of their local fire services policy regarding fire alarm response and that their fire risk assessment is reviewed to ensure it remains suitable and sufficient. Also, the local FRS can always be contacted if the response is not thought to be appropriate, e.g., if the business is a sole provider etc. and the FRS are not aware of the importance.
Best Practice
Prevention is of course better than cure. Avoiding unnecessary fire alarm activations ensures your business is not unduly disrupted and, that in the event of a real emergency, staff and visitors will react to the alarm.
If your building has a monitored fire alarm system, you should ensure the alarm receiving centre holds accurate information regarding building type/use and whether it contains sleeping accommodation or other exemptions that will receive emergency response upon activation as normal.
Business and individual sites are strongly encouraged to check with their local brigade services as to response criteria, but typical exemptions include:
- Sleeping premises
- Single private domestic dwellings
- Sheltered accommodation
- Other residential premises such as hostels, hotels, student accommodation, care/nursing homes etc.
- Registered Upper Tier Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) sites and nuclear sites covered by REPPIR legislation
- High rise buildings
- Hospitals
- Prison/young offenders' institutions
- Police stations and military barracks
- Infant, primary and secondary education premises
- Grade 1 and Grade 2* (star) heritage premises — Grade 2 listed buildings may not be exempt
Best practice mitigation measures
1. Ensure your fire risk assessment is fit for purpose and has been reviewed by a competent fire risk assessor.
2. Consider nominating additional keyholders closer to the site to confirm activation or perhaps entering into agreements with local businesses who have 24-hour operation / security guards to provide the confirmation.
3. Prepare a written procedure for action to be taken in the event of an emergency. The plan should include, for example, roles and responsibilities of individuals, who is responsible for calling the emergency services and liaising with the emergency services etc.
4. Prepare an emergency ‘grab pack’ to hand over to the emergency services in the event of a fire. This may include:
a. a plan view of the site layout
b. an annotated diagram of areas where combustible composite panels are used in ceilings or walls
c. the location of hazardous materials or operations
d. the location and isolation points of the main electrical supplies and gas incomers
e. fire hydrants and any other fighting water supplies
5. Check detector types, locations and consider upgrading automatic fire detectors (AFD) systems with modern ‘multi-sensing’ detectors. Ensure systems are maintained (ideally half-yearly) and keep logs of false alarms and identify any trends. Carry out weekly function tests and keep a logbook.
6. Fit manual call points with protective covers in problem, vulnerable or high traffic areas.