An Unwanted Fire Signal (UwFS) is defined as:

• a signal transmitted by Automatic Fire Detection (AFD) equipment
• reporting a fire
• when the fire and rescue service arrives they find no fire has occurred.

Unwanted Fire Signals can be completely avoided through good system design, management practice and procedure, maintenance and the appropriate use of space within buildings.

The number of AFD systems installed in Norfolk is not known and, as we have no direct control of these systems, we need your help to change how you manage your systems and in turn help reduce unnecessary call outs.

In Norfolk such calls have the following effects on our service:

• Diverting fire engines and staff from away from real incidents
• Disrupting our other work, including fire prevention activities such as home fire safety checks and operational training.
• High financial costs
• Increasing the risk of accidents and collisions as a result of our crews responding under emergency conditions

The effects of Unwanted Fire Signals on you and your business include:

• Disruption to business – building evacuation leading to downtime and time wasted,
• loss of revenue
• Loss of faith in the alarm system which may result in slow response in the event of a real fire – or even no response at all
• Cost to businesses who employ retained firefighters when they are released to go to an emergency
• Impact on the environment caused by unnecessary turnouts
• High costs

In order to reduce the impact of unwanted fire signals generated by AFD systems on you and your business and us as a service Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service will, from 1 April 2011:

Respond as we always would to those AFD system calls where a fire has been confirmed

Still send a proportionate response to AFD system calls where confirmation of fire has not been received

Identify problems with repeated AFD system calls which are not actual fires and work with the business to help them put the problems right In extreme cases we may have to consider using our statutory powers under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 but we will only do this when all other efforts to reduce unwanted fire signals have failed.

Further Information

• Reducing automatic fire alarm call outs
• Flowchart for when an alarm sounds
• Fire Alarm Faults
• Office of the Depty Prime Minister - Guide to reducing false alarms (pdf)
• Fire Industry Association - Guidance for responsible persons (pdf)

We welcome your feedback.

Further guidance can be obtained by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , phoning 01603 810351 or using our Contact us.