CFOA Policy Guidance for the Reduction of False Alarms and

Unwanted Fire Signals Summary.

Presented by: James HannafordCommunity Safety Support Manager.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Are false alarms a problem?•285,000 UwFS from AFAs. •Fire Service delivery reduced. •Opportunity cost.•Financial cost.•Environmental cost.

History• Increase in AFA systems and False Alarms• Thematic Review 2001• CFOA Working Group established – 2004• Policy Guidance 2006• Full Review and Consultation – 2008 • FAMO Code of Practice Addition and minor

corrections – July 2010

FAMO- Fire Alarm Monitoring Organisation

Policy Guidance Partners and participants

•CFOA & FRS, •Fire Industry Association, •British Security Industry Association, •Telecare Services Association, •Fire & Security Association, •National Security Inspectorate, •Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board

Aims•To reduce the number of false alarms generated by fire alarm systems.

•To reduce the numbers of Unwanted Fire Signals that are received by Fire & Rescue Services.

•To reduce the number of Unwanted Fire Signals received by F&RS that generate an emergency response.

Problems and Reasons• Consistency• Industry• Fire Alarm Monitoring Organisations

Policy Guidance summary• Work with Stakeholders• Fire Safety Order• Non Call Challenge• Staged Approach• Competent Persons • Code of Practice

FAMO Code of Practice - FRS• An agreement to work together• SPOC• Data• Call filtering the FAMO• Remedial methods

FAMO Code of Practice - FAMO• An agreement to work together • Connection contract with the FRS• Call filtering• Renegotiate contract • Inform clients• A 30 sec call back• Competent Person

Future• No single solution.• The fire industry must contribute to the solution.• Consistent F&RS approach.• Effective, efficient, economic and ethical F&RS

response• Working Group to target false alarms from the

999 system (BT) through a COP

False Alarm vs UwFS– A false alarm is an actuation of an automatic fire

alarm and fire detection system for reason other than fire.

– This has fire safety implications – being a strong indicator of management failures.

– UwFS is when F&RS are contacted and asked to attend a false alarm.

– Operational resource problem but requires a fire safety solution.

Fire UwFS

F&RS Follow-up Response

FAMO Performance Indicators

Fire Safety Regulation Response

Community Fire Safety Response

Registration & Review Emergency Response

Combination of Response

Review Service

Provision

Design, Installation, Commissioning, Management

and Maintenance

Fire Alarm Activation

1. On-Site Call Filtering

Record On-Site

Stays On-Site

Fire Alarm Monitoring Organisation (FAMO)

3. Domestic Alarm (Non-Social)

2. Building Alarm 4. Domestic Alarm (Social)

5. No Call Filtering Applied

FAMO to Call Filter (call back)

Call Filter Following TSA

Practices

No Fire

No Fire

Fire or Doubt

Fire or Doubt

Record& Report

Record& Report

F&RS Response

999/112

Call Filter F&RS Control

No Fire

Fire or Doubt

Record& Report

Fire Safety Regulation Inspection

Programme

Fire UwFS

F&RS Follow-up Response

FAMO Performance Indicators

Fire Safety Regulation Response

Community Fire Safety Response

Registration & Review Emergency Response

Combination of Response

Review Service

Provision

Design, Installation, Commissioning, Management

and Maintenance

Fire Alarm Activation

1. On-Site Call Filtering

Record On-Site

Stays On-Site

Fire Alarm Monitoring Organisation (FAMO)

3. Domestic Alarm (Non-Social)

2. Building Alarm 4. Domestic Alarm (Social)

5. No Call Filtering Applied

FAMO to Call Filter (call back)

Call Filter Following TSA

Practices

No Fire

No Fire

Fire or Doubt

Fire or Doubt

Record& Report

Record& Report

F&RS Response

999/112

Call Filter F&RS Control

No Fire

Fire or Doubt

Record& Report

Fire Safety Regulation Inspection

Programme

Future• Review of the Protocol – Feb 2011

Performance Levels