FIA calls for universal approach to false fire alarm signals
The fire safety industry needs to take a universal approach to false fire alarms in order to move forward, according to the Fire Industry Association.
Speaking at the Houses of Parliament last week, FIA chairman Martin Harvey warned that 42 different responses to false fire alarms would be difficult to justify and impose.
“If one area starts charging £350 [for callouts] and another charges £3,500, how is that going to be justified?” he asked industry professionals at an all-party fire safety and rescue group seminar.
Unless a clear procedure is followed, it will be hard to go forward, he warned. If alarm receiving centres are issued fines instead of the alarmed premises, for example, the centre may just start refusing to clarify signals. Bills could also carry large management handling fees, he said.
Other proposals by fire authorities dealing with unwanted fire alarm signals include the requirement for a back up phone call to confirm a fire. Last month,
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it would not respond to automatic fire alarms from 9am to 9pm. This, Mr Harvey said, was a ‘strange time.’
Mr Harvey was among several speakers chosen to talk about the future of the fire safety industry following the formation of the coalition Government. Fire minister Bob Neill was also in attendance.
FIA calls for universal approach to false fire alarm signals
The fire safety industry needs to take a universal approach to false fire alarms in order to move forward, according to […]
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