Automatic Fire Alarms

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) have recently implemented a change to policy with regards to attendance to Automatic Fire Alarms in low-risk commercial premises. Low-risk commercial premises are classed as premises or businesses that do not have a sleeping risk within the confines of the business.

In communicating this message ESFRS are aware that every business may not have received the communications we sent and as a member of our Primary Authority Partnership scheme I would like to draw your attention to this change.

ESFRS initially launched the first phase of this policy change approximately 2 years ago seeing a nil-attendance to automatic fire alarms in low-risk commercial premises between the hours of 9-5 (Mon-Fri). The second phase has now gone live which now means that ESFRS will no longer attend Automatic Fire Alarms in Low-Risk Commercial Premises unless we receive confirmation of a fire. The emphasis is firmly placed on the responsible person (RP) to put suitable measures in place (24 hours a day) to investigate the cause of any fire alarm. The Fire Service will challenge any calls received and will not send an appliance unless they believe there is a fire situation.

Alarm receiving companies and insurance companies should also be informed of this change to ensure they provide you with the best service and to ensure your insurance policies are adapted, where required.

ESFRS apologise if you have been missed from the communication and hope this gives you sufficient information to update your processes. If in any doubt, please contact the Primary Authority team.  

This is an East Sussex Policy.  Other Fire and Rescue Services may have similar policies, but we would advise that you contact them directly for confirmation.