In large residential buildings and commercial premises, a single fire alarm is not enough to keep everyone safe. Installing interlinked fire alarms is not only a legal requirement, but the best way to ensure you are made aware of any potential hazards as quickly as possible.

In this blog post, we’ll explain the importance of interlinked fire alarms and break down the most recent guidance to help you ensure your premises are protected in line with the law.

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In the decades following the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the UK has come a long way in regards to health and safety policies. We recognise the importance of making sure lives are being protected wherever possible, and that includes at work.

Businesses have a responsibility to ensure the physical wellbeing and safety of all of their staff, but how far does this stretch? What fire safety procedures are UK offices required to have in place?

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As a business owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that your business is kept safe and secure by following all of the required laws and regulations regarding fire safety. 

Now, we understand that this is not an easy thing to do. With so much legal stuff to keep on top of, ensuring everything you do is 'by the book' can be a struggle, especially when it comes to health and safety and the various laws that come with it.

One of the most important areas in health and safety that can't be overlooked, however, is fire safety. Negligence here can lead to some very serious problems such as property damage and even death. So, it's extremely important that as a business owner, you ensure that your commercial fire alarms and fire safety measures are up to scratch.

To make things a little easier for you, IDS Security Systems is here to guide you through the requirements of your business fire alarm!

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There’s no disputing the fact that fire alarms save lives. Moreover, they also save buildings, businesses and homes too, making them a hugely beneficial addition to any property.

However, that’s not to say they are perfect. Like any safety appliance, fire alarms can also cause issues, particularly if they’re triggered by mistake. False fire alarms are a massive burden to firefighters nationwide and cost the fire service untold amounts of time, money and resources.

As such, preventing false fire alarms should be a priority for any business owner with a fire safety measure in place.

Implications of False Fire Alarms

According to the London Fire Brigade, there were an astounding 38,000 false fire alarms in 2017. That figure equates to 104 false calls a day!

Not only is this a waste of time for the hard-working members of the fire brigade, but it’s also taking up precious time that could be better spent elsewhere, attending real emergencies and saving those in need.

If your workers are pre-conditioned by previous false alarms to believe an alarm doesn’t need their urgent attention, a real incident can result in slowed reactions which can translate to catastrophe.

So, as you can see, there are a few very important reasons that you do what you can to prevent false fire alarms for your safety and the safety of those around you.

False Fire Alarm Penalty UK

Local authorities have been toying with the idea of implementing a false fire alarm fine system for several years now; however, nothing has been set in stone as of this writing. That being said, persistent false-callers and re-offenders may be charged if proposed plans continue.

As of June 2019, London Fire Brigade planned to implement changes if they attended eight false alarms at the same site within 12 months, with further plans to charge for every additional false call-out that occurred thereafter.

Furthermore, while there isn’t an official system in place for a UK false fire alarm penalty at the moment, that’s not to say that a false fire alarm doesn’t incur some hefty costs all the same. If fire brigade resources are taken up unnecessarily, it could well hinder the treatment of a very real fire elsewhere. It is always in your interest to prevent false fire alarms wherever possible.

Common Causes of False Fire Alarms

Fire alarms can be inadvertently set off for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from the logical to downright trivial. If your fire alarm isn’t well maintained or overly sensitive, you could be at risk of a false alarm.

Some common causes of false fire alarms include:

• Cigarette smoke
• Large amounts of steam (eg. from a bathroom)
• Cooking/burning food
• Dust within the unit
• Mould or mildew within the unit

Read more: Fire Alarm Maintenance UK

It’s also important to have the right fire alarms in place for your property and the occupancy. Fitting a fire alarm system that’s not appropriate for your business or premises could well lead to a false fire alarm down the line.

Competent installation can also have an effect on performance, as can efficient maintenance thereafter. A slap-dash job of installing is a recipe for disaster, while lack of care can render the system useless.

Preventing False Fire Alarms

To prevent false fire alarms from affecting your premises, it’s universally recommended that you enlist the aid of an expert fire alarm installation team.

Professional attention can guarantee the correct installation of the right system for your business, immediately reducing the risk of a false call out and the many knock-on effects they incur.

At IDS Security, our team of specialists can help you choose the right fire system for your business and install it professionally to the highest standards possible. With over 20 years of experience, we also offer round the clock monitoring and a 24/7 call-out service for maintained customers, offering unrivalled peace of mind and professional care.

Fire safety is no time to cut corners and take shortcuts. Call IDS today on 029 20 753 251 or click the button below to keep your premises safe and secure.

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In the event of a fire, a fire alarm is usually one of the first indicators that there is something wrong. But are fire alarms required by law? 

Most households feel safer and more comfortable if their home is fitted with a working fire alarm, so it's hard to imagine a world without these helpful warnings. According to the Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, you're twice as likely to die in a fire if you don't have a smoke alarm that works and 90 people die each year because their smoke alarm battery was flat or missing. 

Are fire alarms required by law?

If you're a landlord, yes. Fire alarms are required by law within all of your properties. In the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, all private sector landlords are required to have at least one smoke alarm installed on every storey of their property.

Landlords must also ensure the fire alarms work at the start of each new tenancy. Furthermore, each room which contains a solid fuel burning appliance, like a wood burning stove or a coal fire, must be fitted with a carbon monoxide alarm. 

As it has past 1st of October 2015, all Landlords are now legally required to have working fire and carbon monoxide alarm systems installed in their rented accommodation. 

If you own a business, it is also stated in the UK fire alarm regulations that all business premises much have an appropriate fire detection system. If any Landlords or Business Owners do not comply with these rules, they will face a fine.

Read the full Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015. 

Do you need a fire alarm in your own home?

Though it is not illegal to be without a fire alarm in your home, it could affect your home insurance. If you have a fire alarm, many home insurance plans may provide a small discount on the cost of your cover.

However, if you tell your insurer that you have working fire alarms and it is found that they were not working when the fire happened, your payout may be reduced. They may even turn your claim down altogether. 

Therefore, whether you're letting, working, renting or a homeowner, it is advisable to always have a working fire alarm fitted in your premises. 

Where can I get a fire alarm? 

Here at IDS Security Systems, we specialise in fitting and supplying to latest fire detection technology. We have 20+ years of experience with fire alarm systems, and we provide a call our engineering service that is available around-the-clock. 

Our alarm systems include the following.

• Conventional Fire Alarms
• Addressable Fire Alarm Systems
• Wireless Fire Alarm Systems

You can read more about our alarm systems here. 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss our fire alarms further, you can contact us here or get in touch on 02920 753 251.