Automatic fire alarm systems that alert the fire brigade through a central station service can provide peace of mind, assuring us that they will be on the way when needed. Unfortunately 95% of automatic alarm call outs are false alarms. In Norfolk, that means fire engines turn out unnecessarily on almost 2400 occasions per year.
From 1st June 2013, Norfolk Fire Service and Cambridge Fire and Rescue will change the way they respond to automatic fire alarm call-outs. For industrial, commercial, shop, licensed or public premises or places of worship, Norfolk Fire Service will only respond to an automatic fire alarm between 7am and 7pm if a 999 call is also made reporting a fire. When a 999 call is made from these kinds of premises, the Fire Service will only respond if the caller confirms an emergency (fire, smell of burning or smoke).
High risk premises, including schools and places where people sleep (hospitals, residential homes, etc.), are not affected by these changes and the Norfolk Fire Service or Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue will respond as usual.
At this time, these changes only affect Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.
All registered holders of automatic fire alarm systems in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire should have received notice of this change. In some circumstances the registered holder will be the landlord and it may take a while for details to be passed on to you.
If you have an automatic fire alarm, you may need to review and revise your emergency arrangements. If you need help with this, contact Alastair Inskip at enquiry@w-l-p.co.uk.