The FIA launches nationwide campaign to reduce false alarms

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) is pleased to announce the launch of their new website dedicated to helping businesses reduce their false alarms.

Unwanted Fire Signals has long been an important issue for the Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) and a common problem for businesses. Changes to response policies to automatic fire alarms by fire services in England over the last 18 months have highlighted this issue. False alarms are a huge drain on both financial resources and time, it is estimated that false alarms cost the UK in excess of £1 billion a year.

The FIA has set up a false alarms website to help everyone cut the cost of false alarms to businesses and the fire services. The website address is www.fia.uk.com/en/cut-false-alarm-costs.

Under the Localism Act 2011, FRS’s can now charge for attendance at false alarms of persistent offenders with an automatic fire alarm (AFA). The FIA is aware of one Fire and Rescue Service already charging for attendance at persistent false alarm call outs.

CEO FIA, Graham Ellicott, explained that under the terms of the Localism Bill, Fire Authorities will only be able to charge for AFA’s that have malfunctioned or been improperly installed.

“It is a common misconception that false alarms are caused by malfunctioning fire alarm systems. The vast majority of false alarms come about as a result of poor building management issues. The FIA believes that the FRS’s should work with the Responsible Person and fire alarm maintenance companies to reduce false alarms” he said.

The website was created with those responsible for fire safety in mind and offers clear information on how to avoid false alarms. The Association aims for the website to be used as a signpost for the Responsible Person work with their fire alarm maintenance company to implement better alarm management.

Just some of the topics that the website looks at are what a false alarm is; who is responsible; what an effective fire alarm management strategy is and how to reduce false alarms.

This website is part of the FIA’s nationwide campaign to help reduce false alarms. The Association is working with local FRS’s to educate the public of the simple ways to avoid false alarms with a dedicated presentation covering Unwanted Fire Signals at the FIA’s series of Fire Safety Seminars nationwide.

The Association’s false alarms website can also be accessed from the FIA homepage at www.fia.uk.com