Steps to reduce false alarms

Reducing the numbers of false alarms is essential.  Fortunately, there are a number of practical steps which can be taken.

Appoint a Responsible Person

Appointing a Responsible Person to be responsible for your alarm is recommended by Clause 47 of BS 5839-1:2002.
The Responsible Person should be trained, and be familiar with the relevant sections of the British Standard. In particular they should ensure that:

• The system is regularly tested
• The system is regularly inspected and serviced
• All events are recorded in the Fire Log Book
• The desired level of overall protection provided by the fire alarm is maintained
• The level of false alarms is minimised.

Carry out a risk assessment

• This is a legal responsibility of building owner/occupiers
• The risk assessment should determine how many maintenance visits are required annually - not less than six monthly intervals
• The risk assessment must ensure that any potential sources of false alarm are identified and removed and that the system is regularly maintained.

Appoint a reputable company

You should appoint a reputable company to provide maintenance and servicing in accordance with the requirements of BS 5839-1:2002, at intervals determined by the risk assessment.

It is essential to work with your chosen service supplier to resolve the causes of false alarms.

Maintain your system

It will be a requirement of the Model Fire Licence Agreement that from 1 April 2007 all systems with a URN must be maintained by a supplier, like ADT, with third party accreditation.

The only two acceptable accreditation schemes are:

• LPS 1014
• SP203

From 31 March 2008 , all new systems must be designed, installed and commissioned by third party accredited suppliers.

When buildings are changed

Consult with all interested parties (system/service supplier, fire prevention officer, building control officer and insurers) over any change in building use or structure to ensure that the system will still comply with BS 5839-1:2002 and will not be exposed to any factors that may increase false alarms.

Train users

Ensure users are trained in everyday testing and use of the equipment.

Optimise your system

Consult with your system/service provider to ensure that appropriate detection devices are installed throughout, to provide reliable early warning of fire whilst filtering out false and unwanted alarm phenomena.

Use technology to best advantage (time delays, day/night modes, co-incidence detection, verification and algorithmic footprints of fire patterns).

Upgrade old, obsolete systems

Older systems that may have become unreliable or unable to deliver the necessary standards of performance should be upgraded or replaced .