False alarms cost british industry £1 billion
Brigades responded to 219,200 false alarms from AFD systems in 1999, accounting for more than a quarter (27%) of the total calls responded to and putting the public and fire fighters at unnecessary risk.
The report, “Reducing False Alarms” assesses the scale of the problem, examines current practice, and makes a number of recommendations for reducing the high incidence of false alarms from AFD systems. The inspection team found that a structured, concentrated and partnership approach can make a real impact on reducing the significant number of false alarms from AFD systems.
Writing in the March issue of Facilities Management Legal Update, Victoria Feltham of fire engineering specialists Lawrence Webster Forrest drew attention to the problems of malicious and accidental activation of fire alarms, highlighting the Loss Prevention Certification Board’s scheme to introduce standards for design, installation and maintenance of systems. Through LPS 1014 (Requirements for Certified Fire Detection and Alarm System Firms) and LPS 1204 (Requirements of Firms Engaged in the Design, Installation and Commissioning of Fire Fighting Systems) building managers are able to access objective criteria against which suppliers of fire alarms can be measured.
Current research estimates that false alarms caused by AFD systems are interrupting manufacturing and commercial processes resulting in a substantial cost to industry and commerce. They are eroding users’ confidence in the value and reliability of AFD systems, discouraging people from reacting promptly to genuine fire alarms.
The report identifies large sites such as hospitals, universities and major manufacturing plants as the main contributors to the problem.
This document is for general guidance and research purposes only, and does not purport to give professional advice. Please check the date at the top of the article; the Workplace Law Network retains historic articles for general research.
