In the past year alone, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) responded to more than 1,000 emergency calls where fire alarms had been triggered — though there was no fire.
Not just a problem in Gloucestershire, false alarms in the UK cost the economy over £1 billion, with unnecessary callouts costing local taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds.
More critically, they tie up firefighters who may be needed at genuine emergencies.
False alarms delay responses to genuine fires, as well as road traffic collisions and life-threatening rescue scenarios. That's why GFRS is urging businesses and building owners to take action now.
Despite ongoing efforts to work with Alarm Receiving Centres and on-site responsible persons, too many still rely on the fire service to investigate activations.
Which businesses are most commonly linked to false alarms?
- Hospitals and care homes – vulnerable residents mean alarms are often set to be highly sensitive
- Schools, colleges and universities – high volume of occupants and potential for accidental or malicious activations
- Hotels and hospitality venues – cooking fumes, aerosols and guest interference triggering alarms
- Office buildings – poorly maintained systems or building refurbishments
- Retail and shopping centres – large footfall and smoke from vaping products or fire doors left open or obstructed
- Industrial and manufacturing facilities – dust, steam or fumes from machinery
How can businesses reduce false alarms?
Those who are the designated person responsible for fire safety in their premises are legally obliged to ensure fire risk assessments are up-to-date and include arrangements for how alarms are handled — whether the building is occupied or not.
Ways to help reduce false alarms and free up critical emergency resources include:
- Training staff and key holders to investigate fire alarm activations safely and effectively
- Ensuring there's a clear, documented procedure to call 999 immediately if a fire or any signs of fire are discovered
- Regularly maintaining and reviewing fire detection and alarm systems to avoid technical faults that cause false activations
Managing fire alarm systems responsibly doesn't just protect staff and premises, it also protects the local community.
For more information and guidance, visit gloucestershire.gov.uk/glosfire.
