False fire alarms place strain on UK fire services’ resources and response times

As reported by Personal Injury Claims UK, false fire alarms continue to be a major issue for fire services in the UK, specifically in Oxfordshire and Warwickshire.

The Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (OFRS) has recorded 11,663 false alarms since April 2019, averaging six daily incidents.

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has reported 4,746 incidents in the same period, with three false alarms occurring daily.

Although these callouts temporarily decreased during the COVID-19 lockdowns, they resumed their upward trend as restrictions lifted.

Over the past year, Oxfordshire handled 2,682 false alarms, while Warwickshire attended to 1,144 incidents.

False fire alarms, also referred to as Unnecessary Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS), can significantly strain emergency resources.

They impact the ability of fire services to respond effectively to real emergencies, placing an additional burden on public safety efforts across the UK.

Causes of false alarms and financial impact

The main causes of false alarms include equipment malfunctions, poor maintenance, and user errors.

Common everyday actions, such as cooking fumes, steam from showers, and construction dust, frequently trigger fire alarms unnecessarily.

Nationwide, false alarms comprise 38% of all incidents attended by fire services and are estimated to cost approximately £1 billion annually.

This financial and operational impact has led to concerns about complacency among building occupants who may ignore alarms, risking safety during actual emergencies.

The ongoing prevalence of false alarms raises serious safety implications and continues to challenge fire services across the UK.

Measures introduced to manage false alarms

To combat the issue, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service recently decided not to respond to Automatic Fire Alarms (AFAs) in non-high-risk buildings unless there are confirmed signs of fire.

This new policy, effective as of October 2024, aims to reduce unnecessary callouts, with statistics indicating that around 99% of AFA calls in Oxfordshire do not result in fire incidents.

Warwickshire County Council has also emphasised the need for regular maintenance and improved fire safety training as part of its strategy to reduce false alarms, citing the impact on emergency resources and fire safety initiatives.

These measures reflect an effort to reduce the costs and operational strain posed by frequent false alarms.

Both counties have stressed the importance of maintaining fire alarm systems and properly training building occupants to handle fire safety protocols.

Implications for emergency response and public safety

Persistent false alarms pose risks to the efficiency of emergency services, potentially delaying response times for genuine emergencies.

Oxfordshire and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Services have highlighted that diverted resources could impact emergency response times, increasing the risk for those affected by actual fires.

To address this concern, fire services are actively encouraging building managers to ensure that their fire alarm systems are correctly maintained and that staff are well-trained in fire safety procedures.

This proactive approach aims to mitigate the burden on emergency services and uphold public safety standards.

False fire alarms place strain on UK fire services’ resources and response times: Summary

False fire alarms, particularly in Oxfordshire and Warwickshire, are putting UK fire services under pressure, as reported by Personal Injury Claims UK.

Since April 2019, Oxfordshire has responded to 11,663 false alarms, and Warwickshire 4,746, with false alarm rates increasing post-COVID-19.

Equipment faults, poor maintenance, and user errors are among the leading causes, with such incidents costing UK fire services approximately £1 billion annually.

To address the issue, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has ceased responding to Automatic Fire Alarms in non-high-risk buildings without confirmed signs of fire.

Warwickshire has also underscored the importance of system maintenance and staff training to reduce false alarms.

Emergency services are calling on building managers to improve fire safety measures to alleviate this operational challenge and enhance public safety.