Norwich Union is urging the fire and rescue services to adopt new guidelines on how to respond to the growing number of automatic fire alarms in the UK.
Norwich Union is urging the fire and rescue services to adopt new guidelines on how to respond to the growing number of automatic fire alarms in the UK.
The insurer has welcomed the recently launched Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) policy model, but has expressed concern that not all of the UK’s 58 fire and rescue service regions may adopt the model universally.
The CFOA protocol provides a ‘best practice’ framework for agreement between the protected premises, the fire alarm service provider and the fire and rescue authority to ensure that the responsibilities and actions of all parties are clearly understood.
John Smeaton, head of property underwriting at Norwich Union, commented: "With up to 95% of fire alarms in schools and hospitals proving false1, we have a crazy situation currently, where a burnt teacake can result in attendance by the fire and rescue service. This has led to some regional fire brigades refusing to attend remotely monitored alarms unless they are backed up by a 999 call - causing major concern for insurers.
"The CFOA policy should go a long way to reducing the problem of false alarms but it is essential that all regions get on board, so that we can start to establish some kind of consistent standard across the UK. Without a guaranteed minimum level of response, for example where no 999 back-up facility exists, insurers may be forced to adopt differential pricing and, in the worst case scenario, may need to reconsider whether they can accept the risk in the first place. Businesses looking for property or business interruption cover may find themselves seriously differentiated against because of their local fire and rescue services policy."
The company is also calling on the Government to make third party certification mandatory for automatic fire alarms in the forthcoming RRO (Regulatory Reform Order).
Mr Smeaton continued: "While the rapid growth of remotely monitored fire alarms over the last decade has undoubtedly played an important role in saving lives and protecting property, the growth of automatic systems has also triggered a sharp increase in the number of false alarms. They now account for almost 50% of all calls to the UK fire and rescue services2. We must collectively work together to reduce the wasteful burden this has on our fire and rescue service resources.
"We operate in an environment where the regulation of fire precautions is based on risk assessment, so the quality and reliability of products and services is obviously paramount.
"We should be trying to emulate the success of the security industry, where the recent introduction of BS8418 certification has helped to stop cowboy installers in their tracks and significantly reduced the number of false alarms – and where many insurers insist on the mark as a pre-requisite for cover.
"With the responsibility for safety now firmly placed on the owner/occupier, it is vital that the quality of fire protection selected is fit for purpose and installed and maintained by competent persons.
"We need to encourage customers to insist upon companies accredited under LPS 1014 or the BAFE SP203 modular scheme to ensure that products and services conform to recognised standards to help them to meet their increasing duty of care. Only by meeting strict minimum standard criteria can we be confident that the equipment is fit for purpose and can be relied on to save lives and reduce property damage."
Government statistics indicate that there were nearly 280,000 false alarms in 2002, costing Ł150M3.
-ends-
For further information, please contact:
Debbie Wells at Staniforth on 0161 274 0100 or David Ross at Norwich Union on 08703 66 68 65/07786 526350.
Notes to editors
1 Source: ODPM (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister), National Fire Statistics 2003
2 CFOA (Chief Fire Officers Association) 2004
3 "Guide to reducing the number of false alarms from fire detection and alarm systems", British Fire Protection Systems Association/ODPM/CFOA, February 2004.
Notes to editors
Norwich Union Insurance
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