A Guide To Reducing The Number Of False alarms From fire

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• Unsecured control panels being activated, usually as a result of thepanel’s key or a similar device being left in the panel.These incidents can usually be tackled by changing working practices (forexample, issuing permits to work) or giving information and training tostaff and contractors responsible for buildings.Activities near detectorsMany false alarms result from activities carried out near fire detectors,particularly smoke detectors. A common example is burning toast in atoaster. More examples are given on pages 7 and 8. This type of alarmcan be tackled by carrying out the activity elsewhere, fitting a temporarycover on a detector while the activity is being carried out, changing thetype of detector or moving it, or changing the way the fire-alarm systemresponds when a detector is triggered. If you use temporary covers ondetectors, these should be fitted only by approved staff and removedcarefully as soon as possible after the activity has ended. You can getmore advice from the company that installed or maintains the system.You should consider all the activities thatgo on in your building and develop aplan to avoid false alarms. Make sureyou have proper arrangements in placefor training staff on work processes andpractices, the fire precautions you have,and how work processes and practicesmay affect the fire-alarm system if theyare not carried out properly.12
MaintenanceLike all electrical systems, your fire-detection and fire-alarm system willbe effective only if it is maintained and regularly checked by a competentperson. Poor maintenance will not only lead to false alarms, it may alsolead to a genuine fire alarm being ignored or missed. It can also reduce thelife of the system. All these problems lead to extra costs for you. Guidanceon maintaining your system, together with guidance on reducing false alarms,can be found in BS 5839 Part 1 – Code of Practice for design, installation,commissioning and maintenance of fire-detection and fire-alarm systems.You can get a summary of the guidance given in BS 5839 Part 1, and adviceabout schemes that can help you assess the competence of contractors,from the website at www.bfpsa.org.uk or by phoning 020 8549 5855.Where do I go for more help?If you have followed the guidance in thisbooklet and false alarms are still causing aproblem, your local fire and rescue servicecan give you advice. You should also ask thecompany that supplied, installed or maintainsyour system to investigate the matter and takeappropriate action. The relevant company’scontact details should be on or next to thefire-detection and fire-alarm system control panel or printed in thesystem log book. If you cannot find their contact details, BFPSA canrecommend suitable organisations.If your fire-detection and fire-alarm system has been provided as acondition of any fire-safety law, you may have to consult your local fireand rescue service before you make any changes to your system.13
Page 1 and 2: A guide to reducing the numberof fa
Page 3 and 4: The guidance given in this booklet
Page 5 and 6: Your local fire and rescue service
Page 7 and 8: Causes of false alarmsFalse alarms
Page 9 and 10: Action to takeWhen the fire alarm s
Page 11: If your alarm system automatically
Page 15 and 16: NotesUse the space below to make an

A Guide To Reducing The Number Of False alarms From fire

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