Wednesday 19
March
12.00hrs
The number of automatic false alarms attended by firefighters
has fallen by more than a half compared with last year, thanks to
the efforts of Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) and local
organisations.
Automatic fire alarm systems triggered 3,292 call outs for the
fire service between September 2006 and March 2007, but for the
same period between 2007 and 2008, this number dropped to 1,461. As
a result, Avon’s streets have seen around 2,000 fewer unnecessary
blue light movements – reducing the risk to road users and
AF&RS’s firefighters.
This dramatic 56% drop is the result of a policy introduced by
AF&RS in September last year to tackle the issue of unwanted
fire signals – automatic fire alarms (AFAs) set off as the result
of a variety of innocuous causes ranging from cooking steam to
builder’s dust.
With 96% of the 6,528 calls generated by fire alarm systems in
2006 turning out to be false, AF&RS encouraged businesses to
help drive down the number of calls. On receiving an alert from an
AFA, 999 Fire Control operators now ask a responsible member of
staff (such as a fire marshal or trained staff member) to confirm a
few basic signs of fire before mobilising appliances to the
scene.
Domestic properties, sheltered housing and residential care
homes with AFAs are not affected by the scheme and appliances
continue to be mobilised if a 999 call is received.
With fire alarm systems also causing disruption to the working
day in terms of staff having to evacuate their offices every time
an alarm is triggered, organisations have been keen to work with
the service to reduce call outs.
On learning of a false callout from a fire alarm system, the
Unwanted Fire Signals team will make contact with the organisation
involved to offer advice and support in managing the problem.
Watch Manager Steve Noble, who is part of the team responsible
for reducing unwanted fire signals, is delighted with the
results.
He said: “We have seen a significant reduction in the number of
calls to premises, both as a result of the work of our Control
operators and through the support of local organisations.
“Our work with many of the more frequently attended premises is
certainly beginning to pay off. A reduction in this type of false
alarm will mean life is not put at risk at genuine fires or
rescues, by our services being unnecessarily diverted
elsewhere.
“There is no doubt that working fire alarms save lives – in
buildings where there are many people living or working and many
rooms where fires can start, they can provide a vital early warning
that something might be wrong.
“However, as we know, they are sensitive devices which from time
to time can be accidentally triggered. The aim of our work with
local organisations is to discover the source of the problem and
find solutions.”
One of the organisations that has worked with AF&RS to reduce
its automatic false alarm call outs is the University of Bath. The
University has seen its false alarm call outs drop by 87% from 23
between Sept 06 – Mar 07 to just three between Sept 07 – Mar
08.
Professor George Lunt, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, from the University
of Bath, said:
“We recognise the problem caused by unwanted alarms and have been
working closely with Avon Fire & Rescue Service to cut the
number of callouts to University premises.
“Last year we improved ventilation in kitchens, introduced
modern technology in detection systems and ran a campaign to raise
student awareness of the issue.
“These have all contributed to the reduction in unwanted alarms
on University premises.
“Towards the end of 2007 we also introduced a new management
regime that, during working hours, requires an immediate
investigation by University staff before a call to the emergency
services is made.
“We anticipate that the new system will result in the callouts
being further reduced during 2008.”