The fire service is changing how they respond to automatic fire alarms (AFA) in non-sleeping risk premises during the day.

Automatic Fire Alarms (AFAs) help to keep building occupants safe by providing early warning in the event of fire.

However, they can also be the cause of false alarms, known as Unwanted Fire Signals (UWFS).

Responding to false alarms means that fire crews are not available to attend genuine emergencies where lives may be at risk, or to carry out training, or community safety work to help prevent fires and other emergencies from happening in the first place.

From April 1, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) will not respond to fire alarm activations in premises where there is no sleeping accommodation between 8am and 7pm, unless the caller reasonably believes a fire to have broken out.

The fire service will always respond to calls reporting a fire in any type of premises.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "If your building has a monitored fire alarm system, you should ensure that the alarm receiving centre holds accurate and up to date information for your premises within Lancashire.

"This should include the premises type and whether it contains sleeping accommodation.

"The information is required at the point of call and without it being available, no attendance will be made to any premises during the day (8am until 7pm)."

The fire service will always respond to calls 24 hours a day if:

  • A backup call is received through 999 reporting a fire or signs of fire (such as a smell of burning) at premises that have a monitored fire alarm system
  • You have successfully applied to LFRS for a fire alarm exemption, and it has been granted

They will also always respond to:

  • Any premises that contains a sleeping risk.
  • Single private domestic dwellings and sheltered accommodation schemes.
  • Other residential premises such as hostels, hotels, student accommodation and care homes.
  • Registered Upper Tier Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) sites, nuclear sites covered by the REPPIR legislation,
  • High rise, hospitals, prisons/young offenders institutions.
  • Police station and military barracks.
  • Premises who have successfully applied to us for an exemption due to having an enhanced reliability alarm system and this exemption has been granted.
  • Infant, primary and secondary education premises.
  • Grade 1 and Grade 2* heritage premises.

The spokesperson continued: "On all occasions automatic fire alarm (AFA) calls are received by North West Fire Control (NWFC), no matter the type of premises, NWFC will adopt a call challenge procedure.

"This will ask that you investigate the cause of the activation of the fire alarm.

"Being able to safely investigate the source of a sounding fire alarm is an important part of a building’s fire procedures.

"Knowing if an alarm is sounding due to a developing fire enables appropriate action to be taken immediately to keep people safe.

"If the cause is a false alarm, investigating the source also enables the ‘all clear’ to be given minimising disruption.

"It also helps avoid the wider risk to the community which occurs when the fire service are asked to attend with resources that may be needed elsewhere for a genuine emergency.

"If you have not already done so, please update your fire procedures ready for the policy change on April 1.

"It is not the responsibility of the fire service to evacuate your premises.

"You must ensure that you have an evacuation strategy appropriate for your building's use."

For more information, or to apply for fire alarm exemption, contact the Business Fire Safety Team on 01772 866954 or email at afaenquiries@lancsfirerescue.org.uk.

Or visit: lancsfirerescue.org.uk/safety/business-safety/our-response-to-automatic-fire-alarms/