False fire alarm warning from Telford fire safety expert

Barry Mould, managing director of Shires Fire and Safety on Stafford Park in Telford, said fire alarms being triggered when there was not a blaze was still causing problems for firefighters across the country.

And he said companies could play an important part in reducing the number of unnecessary call-outs.

Mr Mould said: “Many fire authorities are facing cuts and false fire alarms can cost thousands of pounds a year as well as increase the risk of danger during a real emergency.

“The authorities have also found that very few calls triggered by automatic alarms tended to be fires.

“If firefighters are called out regularly to a particular firm and there turns out to be no blaze then this can affect the reputation of the company as well as lead to a loss of business if production has to be halted each time.

“Companies can also face charges if their alarms are triggered too many times when there is not a fire.

“These costs as well as the cost of the loss of production could end up being much more than how much a firm would pay to manage and maintain a fire detection system.”

Mr Mould said bi-annual servicing of a fire alarm often cost less than a false alarm call out. He said most fire protection providers charged a call out fee for false alarms, in addition to any remedial works needed and to the cost to an already stretched local authority fire service.

Mr Mould added: “False alarms can also interfere with training and community safety work firefighters carry out when they are not attending emergency incidents and mean emergency service vehicles may have to be brought in from further afield if another incident occurred in the same area at the same time.

“It is vitally important that businesses properly manage their fire alarm systems and to carry out regular maintenance to help to keep false alarms to a minimum.”

Mr Mould said the Fire Industry Association runs a Cut False Alarm Costs campaign aimed at educating firms on proper management of fire alarm and detection systems.

“This is something all at Shires Fire and Rescue are keen to support. I cannot stress enough the importance of having an alarm system that works properly for the benefit of both the company and fire and rescue authorities.”