Reducing Unwanted Fire Signals in Commercial Business

Responding to automatic fire alarm (AFA) activations that subsequently turn out to be unwanted fire signals has been identified as a major draw on our resources, resulting in an inappropriate use of emergency crews and equipment.

by Tim Burghes / 12 March 2020

During 2018-19 Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) attended over 1000 commercial addresses that experienced Automatic Fire Alarms (AFAs), many of these had multiple activations.

DWFRS has made the decision that from April 2020, we will not be attending low risk commercial AFA actuations between the hours of 08:00 and 18:00, Monday to Sunday. We will still attend premises where persons are sleeping, and premises with high risk occupants.

This action is being taken to:

Reduce the burden of unnecessary false alarms on the Fire Service
Ensure that fire engines are available when we need them for real emergencies
To increase productivity of our fire crews in risk reduction work within the local and business community

Further information can be found on our website: dwfire.org.uk/Automatic fire alarms.