Fire Risk Assessments: Impact of Fire Brigade’s Alarm Response Changes for Businesses

Fire Risk Assessments: Impact of Fire Brigade’s Alarm Response Changes for Businesses

Another Fire Brigade Ends Automatic Alarm Response for Businesses

**Fire Safety Update**

**FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT**

In a significant policy shift, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has announced that starting in October, it will no longer respond to automatic fire alarms in non-residential buildings during the day, from 7:00 am to 8:30 pm. This change aims to reduce the strain caused by false alarms on fire service resources, aligning with the practices of other fire brigades across the UK.

Steve Morris, Managing Director of Legionella and Fire Safe, commented on the change, emphasising its alignment with national trends. “London Fire Brigade’s decision is in line with many other fire and rescue services across the UK, and not only London businesses, but all businesses in the UK must be aware of these changes.

“If there’s a fire, employees need to know to dial 999 during the working day because there won’t be an automatic response by the fire brigade like in the past. I must stress to all businesses that they must act now to update their fire risk assessments and ensure all staff are appropriately trained and informed correctly and meet their legal requirements regarding Article 9 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.”

Other fire brigades that have implemented similar policies include:

– South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue:

– Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS)

– Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service 

Preparing for the Change

Businesses are advised to take the following actions to prepare for this policy shift:

• Update Fire Risk Assessments: Ensure assessments are revised to reflect the new response protocols and inform employees of the necessary steps during working hours.

• Enhance Staff Training: Train employees on the importance of calling 999 in the event of a fire and assign specific responsibilities for emergency situations.

• Implement Early Identification Systems: Establish procedures to quickly determine if an alarm is false or genuine, including educating staff on interpreting alarm panel messages.

• Maintain Fire Alarm Systems: Regular maintenance by competent contractors is essential to minimise false alarms.

Employer Responsibility

Fire safety in the workplace is primarily the employer’s responsibility. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) in England and Wales, employers with five or more employees must appoint a responsible person to ensure sufficient fire safety in the workplace and conduct a fire risk assessment. The Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and The Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 apply in those areas of the UK.

If you would like any advice or require a fire risk assessment, don’t hesitate to contact one of our specialist fire teams today.

0800 080 3045  info@legionellaandfiresafe.co.uk

This proactive approach is crucial for compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, ensuring business continuity and safety.