Automatic Fire Alarm (AFA) Response Policy

Fire alarms are essential for early fire detection, protecting lives and property. However, most alarms are false, often triggered by cooking fumes, dust, or poor maintenance. Unnecessary fire alarms (UFAS) divert critical resources.

What will change 

Starting October 10th 2024, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service will not be attending automatic fire alarm activations unless a building is deemed to be a high-risk building or, unless a fire has been confirmed or there are signs of fire.

High-risk buildings are those that specifically house vulnerable people or provide sleeping accommodation for people or, they represent a critical community asset that would be locally, nationally, or internationally damaging if lost or seriously damaged by fire. High-risk buildings are also those that might pose a significant risk to firefighter or community safety or to the safety of animals and the environment. High-risk buildings include:

• Private homes/dwellings including residential flats, mobile homes, house boats etc
• Residential care homes, nursing homes, children’s homes
• Sheltered housing for more vulnerable persons
• Schools including boarding schools
• Secure detention facilities, e.g., prisons
• Hospitals and hospices
• Hotels & guest houses
• Buildings housing animals such as zoos, kennels or veterinary surgeries
• High profile heritage buildings such as Blenheim Palace
• Buildings that we have determined represent a high or very high-risk due to the potential community impact.
• Critical community infrastructure such as certain military establishments, telecoms and utilities infrastructure (e.g., pumping stations, substations, exchanges)

Steps for businesses

• Ensure your fire alarm systems are properly maintained and regularly inspected.
• Train staff to safely investigate alarms before calling emergency services.
• Update your fire safety protocols and communicate changes to all employees.
• Consult with your insurance provider regarding the new response policy.

Reducing false alarms 

Businesses can take several measures to minimize false alarms:

• Review and update fire safety risk assessments.
• Log and analyse false alarms to identify patterns.
• Upgrade outdated alarm systems with modern technology.
• Install protective covers on manual call points.
• Regularly maintain fire detection systems.
• Seek advice from fire safety professionals and alarm system providers.

Benefits of reducing false alarms

• Increases overall safety by ensuring alarms are taken seriously.
• Reduces business disruptions and lost productivity.
• Frees up fire service resources for actual emergencies.
• Lowers the risk of road accidents from emergency responses.

For more detailed guidance, visit our business advice page.

Please note that Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service will always attend a confirmed fire.

If there is a fire, always call 999 immediately and follow other specific strategies, such as evacuating and using assembly points.