We have divided advice on this page into 2 distinct categories - Domestic and Commercial.
Domestic Fire Alarms - advice here covers fire alarms in homes (private dwellings) not for commercial gain. Here we provide links to nationally available advice leaflets which should answer most queries.
Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives
The above advice us suitable for small single private dwellings. It may be you reside in a larger house or flat that may require a more sophisticated interlinked fire alarm system. If in any doubt please contact your local fire safety department for advice.
Commercial Fire Alarms
A risk assessment of your building may reveal that the installation of an Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm System is needed. Properly installed and maintained, the automatic system with its fast response to incipient fire can be a significant factor in reducing the risk to life and limiting the damage to your property in the event of fire.
Should you decide that a fire alarm system is to be installed then it should conform to British Standard 5839: Part 1 - 2002. To ensure the highest quality of workmanship it is recommended that you use a fire alarm company that has been awarded an accreditation certificate from a UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) Accredited Third Party Certification Body.
For more information regarding approved companies visit the following sites:-
BAFE - British Approvals for Fire Equipment
LPCB - Loss Prevention Certification Board
NSI - National Security Inspectorate
SSAIB - Security Systems & Alarms Inspection Board
The following Public Advice Leaflets will help you learn more about Fire Alarm systems
False Alarms
Unfortunately, the very features provided by Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm Systems can also produce unwanted signals arising from activities other than a real fire.
These can prove both costly to the Fire Service and to the building operator where evacuation of a building as a result of a false alarm signal can result in loss of production and general disruption of normal business activities.
The following Public Advice Leaflet will help in reducing false alarms.
Fire Alarms - False Alarms From Automatic Fire Detection Equipment
The following document is national guidance on the issue.
Fire Service Circular 31 - 2004 - Integrated Risk Management Plan Draft Guidance Note 7: Revised Response Policies for Dealing with Unwanted Fire Signals from Automatic Fire Alarms.
Healthcare Premises - Reducing False Alarms - FPN 11 - Executive Summary.
This guidance is intended for use throughout healthcare premises, including the Acute and Primary Care Sectors. Available from The Stationery Office
Remotely Monitored Fire Alarm Systems
Due to the number of Unwanted Fire Signals from such system, WYFRS has introduced a policy for Remotely Monitored Fire Alarms based upon a nationally agreed Protocol.
WYFRS Policy for Users of Remotely Monitored Fire Alarm Systems
Summary of WYFRS Policy for Users of Remotely Monitored Fire Alarm Systems
Contact Details
Fire Safety Inspector - Fire Alarms
Tel: 01274 473835
Last updated 04/12/2007
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