Action is being taken to reduce the number of false alarms attended by fire crews in Dorset.
From next month, automatic fire alarms sounding at low-risk commercial premises will only receive an emergency response if there is a 999 call or other confirmation that a fire is suspected.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service says attending false alarms can cause unnecessary risks to the public and firefighters, disruption to the business and may delay a response to a genuine emergency.
Fire crews will still respond to automatic fire alarm activations at domestic and residential buildings, any premises where people sleep and also identified higher-risk properties.
Emma Turner, Protection (Improvement) Manager, said: “During 2022/23, the service attended 1,946 automatic fire alarms in commercial premises that didn’t need an emergency response.
“Fire safety legislation puts the responsibility onto the premises to investigate the cause of these alarms, whether there is a fire or not.
“There is also responsibility to ensure that alarm systems are maintained.”
“We need business owners and managers to understand the importance of keeping their alarm systems in good working order, and having the right processes in place to keep their staff and premises safe.”
More information on the changes, including a downloadable leaflet and an explanatory video, can be found at www.dwfire.org.uk/automatic-fire-alarms
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