How does the Automatic Fire Alarm policy apply to multi-use buildings, such as shops with flats above?
Every automatic fire alarm (AFA) call is assessed through our call filtering process.
If there is any indication that sleeping accommodation, homes, or other exempt premises may be affected, we will send firefighters. The Control Room operator will make this decision based on the information available during the call.
Alarm receiving centres should hold basic information about the premises they monitor and provide this information when reporting an alarm.
For example, if a fire alarm activates in a shop and there are no signs of fire, we may not attend during daytime hours. However, any residential accommodation above the shop should be protected by suitable fire separation. If a fire is confirmed, we will attend.
How will London Fire Brigade respond to fire alarms in buildings with large numbers of visitors?
Our response will depend on the building and whether it is exempt from the policy.
For example, a listed theatre is exempt and will continue to receive a response to automatic fire alarm activations. A modern building that is not exempt will not normally receive a response to an automatic fire alarm during daytime hours.
If a building has both residential and commercial uses, and there are signs that the residential or exempt areas may be affected, we will attend.
We will always attend confirmed fires.
Dangerous substances
The exemption policy includes high-risk sites that store significant quantities of dangerous substances, such as COMAH sites.
These sites are already regulated, so London Fire Brigade is aware of the substances stored and their locations. Any new site storing these substances will go through a regulatory process, and London Fire Brigade will be notified as part of that process.