Nature: Alarm Sounding Incidents

• Saturday September, 16 2023 @ 12:53

  • Location: 34183 Hillenwood Rd Pots Nets Bayside, DE 19966        

• Saturday September, 16 2023 @ 01:35

  • Location: 25844 American St Leisure Point, DE 19966

• Friday September, 15 2023 @ 20:39

  • Location: Holly Lake Campsites (80) - 32087 Holly Lake Rd Millsboro, DE 19966

• Thursday September, 14 2023 @ 22:53

  • Address: 34436 Derrickson Dr Walden, DE 19951

• Thursday September, 14 2023 @ 08:03

  • Address: 32241 Ivory Gull Way Peninsula Lakes, DE 19966

Automatic fire alarms are designed to send a signal once a fire is detected via the fire alarm panel straight to an Alarm Receiving Company (ARC) for the local fire and rescue service to respond. However, the increasing number of unwanted or false alarms received is becoming an operational concern for the local volunteer responders. 

Our data, which details automatic fire alarms by confirmed type, highlights that significantly less than 2% of confirmed incidents from automatic fire alarms result in an actual fire incident.

The majority of these alarms are due to ‘culinary mishaps’, ‘malfunctioning equipment’, or operator error and marked as ‘good intent’.

What is an unwanted or false fire alarm?

An unwanted alarm is a fire alarm (signal) resulting from a cause other than fire. Any Automatic Fire Alarm (AFA) that we attend that is not actually a fire is considered to be an 'unwanted' alarm.

How can owners and/or mangers reduce false alarms?

Fire and rescue services regularly emphasis the need to reduce false alarms. Illustrated herewith are suggested steps to reducing unwanted or false alarms:

1. Make sure the fire alarm design suits the premises and its use.

2. Make sure the alarm system is properly and regularly maintained.

3. Investigate false alarms to build in measures to prevent them from reoccurring.

4. Introduce a suitable filtering process to safely evaluate why the fire alarm went off before calling or cancelling the automatic fire alarm.

5. Consult with suitable professionals for relevant advice and operational training for your designated alarm system