Fife Tourism Partnership

Unwanted Fire Alarm System Responses

2 May 2023

From Saturday 1st July, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) will no longer attend automatic fire alarm (AFA) call outs to commercial businesses and workplace premises unless a fire has been confirmed. This does not apply to sleeping premises such as hotels or domestic dwellings.

Anyone who reports a fire alarm will be asked to check for signs of or an actual fire before control room operators send the nearest resource.

To prepare for the changes:

  • Ensure that your premises are safe for staff, visitors and occupants in the event of a fire. You have a responsibility under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 to maintain the facilities and equipment provided. Failure to do this could lead to prosecution.
  • Staff and occupants should be made aware of how to respond safely to AFA activations in each premises. It is recommended that you read the guidance on Investigating Fire Alarms prepared by the Fire Industry Association. Ignoring them or assuming the fire and rescue service has been notified could put people at risk. 
  • Contact your insurance company to discuss the changes in response to AFA activations, but please note that SFRS will always attend a confirmed fire.
  • Reduce false or unwanted alarms – more information on how to do this can be found here.

Find out more about the changes here.

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