How the SFRS Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals Callout Policy Changes May Affect Your Business

What Are UFAS?

Fire alarm systems provide crucial early warnings of fire incidents, ensuring the safety of businesses, staff, and customers. Unfortunately, many alarm signals are not actual fires, but often result from cooking fumes, dust, or poorly maintained detection devices. These false alarms, known as Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS), lead to unnecessary and costly callouts for fire crews.
  

The Change

As of July 1, 2023, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) no longer respond to automatic fire alarm (AFA) calls at commercial businesses and workplace premises (e.g. factories, offices, shops, leisure facilities) unless a fire has been confirmed.

Duty holders responsible for workplace premises (e.g. Facilities Managers) should safely investigate alarms wherever possible to confirm that a real fire condition exists. SFRS control room operators will seek confirmation of an actual fire or signs of fire before dispatching resources. Signs of fire include visual flame or smoke, or the smell of burning.
  

Key Points to Note:

1. No Automatic Fire Alarm (AFA) Response: SFRS will not attend AFA calls unless a fire condition has been confirmed.
2. Monitoring Technology or Manual Confirmation: Systems must use remote monitoring technology to confirm a fire condition or manual confirmation will be asked for by the Alarm Receiving Centre before a SFRS response is initiated (e.g. customers will be asked if they can see smoke or flames).
3. Upgrade to Addressable Technology: Conventional systems must be upgraded to addressable technology with multi-sensor capabilities to allow more accurate fire detection and pinpoint targeting of where the fire condition has occurred.
4. Building Duty Holder Responsibility: Building owners must now take more ownership for UFAS prevention and fire confirmation.
             

This change aims to reduce unnecessary callouts, allowing firefighters to focus on real emergencies and community safety work.

Whilst the SFRS is the only authority to bring these measures in as standard operating procedure, other Fire and Rescue Services in both England and Wales are trialing similar emergency response measures to combat UFAS.

Remember, always call 999 if there’s a confirmed fire, and follow evacuation procedures.

For more details on the SFRS unwanted alarms policy, please refer to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s UFAS page.