Over 1 billion lost every year due to false alarms
In August 2019, BRE reported that more than £1 billion is lost every year due to false alarms.
These losses are due largely to the disruption and loss of productivity in businesses. The first research project into the causes of false alarms estimated that each false alarm costs businesses on average around £2.9k. The study provided a useful snapshot of the types of false alarms observed in the field but importantly proposed utilising a specialist fire alarm investigator to gather more reliable and meaningful false alarm data.
This led to another study during which an experienced fire alarm investigator accompanied Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) personnel in the Greater Glasgow area between November 2014 and April 2015 attending 65 false alarms and four actual fires. Following analysis of the gathered data by a stakeholder group 35 recommendations were proposed to reduce false alarms, aimed at nine different sectors. Some of those recommendations were for business owners, facilities managers and health and safety managers to modify automatic fire detection systems to reduce the risk.
The recommendations encourage businesses to consider the use of staff alarms and investigation periods prior to calling the Fire and Rescue Service. Some recommendations propose solutions to help businesses, end users and responsible persons to reduce approximately 12.7% of false alarms due to manual call-point (MCP) activations. These propose that in areas where objects might collide with an MCP these should be fitted with side impact or other forms of protection, and MCPs at risk of being triggered accidentally should be fitted with protective covers.
Another of the recommendations proposed research to identify whether multi-sensors could reduce false alarms. This study has been completed and it was demonstrated that multi-sensors showed more resistance to five false alarm tests when compared with smoke detectors.
For full details of the research findings see the links below.
- https://www.bregroup.com/insights/research/causes-of-false-fire-alarms-in-buildings/
- https://www.bregroup.com/projects-reports/live-investigations-of-false-fire-alarms/
- https://www.bregroup.com/insights/research/the-performance-of-multi-sensors-in-fire-and-false-alarm-tests/
This article was originally published by BRE on 1 August.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- Carbon monoxide detector.
- Fire detection and alarm system.
- Fire protection engineering.
- Fire.
- Heat alarm.
- Ionisation smoke alarm.
- Live investigations of false fire alarms.
- Multi-sensor alarm.
- New requirements for fire detection and alarm network systems IP 12 13.
- Optical smoke alarm.
- Project SHOUT.
- Smoke alarm.
- The causes of false fire alarms in buildings.
Featured articles and news
Government consultations for the summer of 2025
A year of Labour, past and present consultations on the environment, the built environment, training and tax.
CMA competitiveness probe of major housing developers
100 million affordable housing contributions committed with further consultation published.
Homes England supports Greencore Homes
42 new build affordable sustainable homes in Oxfordshire.
Zero carbon social housing: unlocking brownfield potential
Seven ZEDpod strategies for brownfield housing success.
CIOB report; a blueprint for SDGs and the built environment
Pairing the Sustainable Development Goals with projects.
Types, tests, standards and fires relating to external cladding
Brief descriptions with an extensive list of fires for review.
Latest Build UK Building Safety Regime explainer published
Key elements in one short, now updated document.
UKGBC launch the UK Climate Resilience Roadmap
First guidance of its kind on direct climate impacts for the built environment and how it can adapt.
CLC Health, Safety and Wellbeing Strategy 2025
Launched by the Minister for Industry to look at fatalities on site, improving mental health and other issues.
One of the most impressive Victorian architects. Book review.
Common Assessment Standard now with building safety
New CAS update now includes mandatory building safety questions.
RTPI leader to become new CIOB Chief Executive Officer
Dr Victoria Hills MRTPI, FICE to take over after Caroline Gumble’s departure.
Social and affordable housing, a long term plan for delivery
The “Delivering a Decade of Renewal for Social and Affordable Housing” strategy sets out future path.
A change to adoptive architecture
Effects of global weather warming on architectural detailing, material choice and human interaction.
The proposed publicly owned and backed subsidiary of Homes England, to facilitate new homes.
How big is the problem and what can we do to mitigate the effects?
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
A number of cool guides to help with the heat.
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.