The consequences of false fire alarms

A fire alarm is a life-saving piece of equipment, used to alert people in the event of a fire and give them a chance to safely evacuate the building. But what happens when fire alarms are misused?

Here, we explore the potential consequences of false alarms for people and property – covering the time, money, resources, and even lives that can be lost as a result.

What is a false fire alarm? 

False fire alarms are where the fire and rescue service (FRS) attends a location believing there to be a fire incident but, on arrival, discovers that no such incident exists or existed. These are broadly categorised by three causes:

• Fault or accidental use of apparatus – a fire alarm or fire-fighting equipment operates (including accidental initiation by persons) in error.
• Good intent – a call is made in good faith, in the belief that the FRS really would be attending a fire.
• Malicious – a false alarm is made with the intention of getting the FRS to attend a non-existent incident.

According to the Home Office’s fire statistics data table FIRE0102, the FRSs attended 233,471 false fire alarms in the year ending June 2022.

What are the consequences of false fire alarms? 

The potential outcomes of false fire alarms range from inconvenient to life-threatening. Some of the most common are detailed below.

Disruption 

False alarms cause unnecessary disruption to services and businesses, and can impact effectiveness, efficiency, and profitability. Evacuating a building may also cause evacuees to feel distressed, or lose focus.

Lost revenue 

Alongside disruption, a building evacuation can result in a possible shortfall in sales or revenue from customers. Furthermore, the building owner may be charged for the expense of the fire department responding to a false alarm when they were needed somewhere else.

Unnecessary risk 

When the FRS rush to attend false alarms, the lives of emergency responders and other road users are put at risk. Approaching sirens and blue lights often cause panic on the road or surrounding areas, which can lead to unnecessary injuries or health issues.

Desensitisation 

We all know the parable of ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’. If a false fire alarm is regularly sounding, people may become unconcerned and refuse to heed the threat against their safety. This could cause them to not evacuate a building that is on fire and put them in grave danger when a real alarm sounds.

How can false fire alarms be prevented? 

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 stipulates it’s the duty of the responsible person to define clear rules and responsibilities for workplaces and commercial buildings, while providing and maintaining satisfactory fire precautions.

Therefore, the responsible person should take measures to prevent false alarms, where possible. Here are some considerations for each false alarm type.

Due to apparatus 

In the year ending June 2022, there were 163,936 false fire alarms due to apparatus (source: FIRE0102). A highly concerning number, considering that this type of false alarm is largely preventable.

To ensure good working order, it’s advised that smoke alarms are tested once a week. British Standard BS 5839 stipulates that all commercial building fire alarm systems must also be tested weekly. In addition, BS 5839 recommends that a fire alarm system should be fully inspected (and serviced, if necessary) by a competent person at least every six months.

Harsh outdoor settings (such as construction sites) may require more regular fire alarm inspections, or particularly robust equipment (such as the Commander Alert Site Alarm). Alternatively, the Commander Rotary Alarm Bell is maintenance free, and just as reliable and effective as its automatic or electric counterparts. Fire alarm call points should always be clearly signposted.

Good intent 

False alarms that arise due to good intent are difficult to prevent. While there are no set rules for when to involve the fire and rescue services vs tackling a potential fire yourself, erring on the side of caution is advised. When lives are potentially at stake, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Malicious 

Similarly, false alarms that arise due to malice are difficult to prevent, as you can’t control the behaviour of others. Educating any building users on potential false alarm outcomes and punishments could be effective, as people who raise false alarms may not grasp the gravity and seriousness of their actions.

For further peace of mind, the Commander Contact Alarm helps with the prevention of theft, misuse, or vandalism of important equipment.

What’s the punishment for false fire alarms? 

According to government legislation, a person commits an offence if they knowingly give (or cause to be given) the fire and rescue service a false alarm of fire. If found guilty of this offence, a person is liable to a fine, imprisonment, or both.

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