Cheshire Fire and Rescue: Changes to the way firefighters respond to automatic fire alarms

Cheshire firefighters are advising businesses that from April 1st 2017 there will be changes to the way they respond to all Automatic Fire Alarms (AFAs).
From this date onwards, crews will not respond to any AFAs at the majority of business premises (including schools) unless a caller at the building reasonably believes that there is a fire.

Calls from premises where there could be people sleeping, such as care homes, hospitals, private dwellings, hotels, hostels, halls of residence, very high risk industrial sites and high rise buildings will not be challenged and will continue to get an emergency attendance.

Of the total number of AFAs attended in 2015/16, just over 1% of the calls required any firefighting action.

Simon Gibbins, Head of Protection and Organisational Performance said: "AFAs cost business time, money and divert firefighters from genuine emergencies and other duties. They also put road users and pedestrians at risk as fire engines respond at speed on blue lights.

"Although the current emergency attendance to places where people sleep will not change, the new procedure will help bring down false emergency calls in non-domestic premises (which include schools)."

The system will work so that when a call comes in from a building at any time during the day or evening, a fire engine will not automatically be sent. A 999 call will need to be made from someone at the premises, who reasonably believes that a fire has broken out. Only then will fire engines respond.

Simon added: "Fire safety managers at business premises need to be aware of this change and include it in their fire procedures and risk assessment. They also need to make their staff aware that, in the event of a fire, they should call 999 immediately."

Presentations being held for Businesses

Protection staff and firefighters have been working with local business and schools to promote the change in line with April 1st, so that everyone is aware of how it will affect emergency call outs but, to help people even further, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is putting on four free bespoke presentations at its Winsford Headquarter which will cover all aspects of fire safety advice and legislation.

On Monday, May 8th two presentations aimed at businesses are planned. The first starts at 9.30am and runs until 12 noon and the second starts at 1.30pm, finishing at 4pm. Everyone is welcome.

To book on to one of the free events please click here

Alternatively, please email bizfire@cheshirefire.gov.uk stating which event you prefer or phone Business Safety Manager Tracey Carter on 01606 868761.

If you require more information then please visit the business safety page on our website by clicking here

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