- Author
- Donohue, P. A.
- Title
- False Alarms From Automatic Fire Detection Systems.
- Coporate
- Building Research Establishment, Garston, England
- Report
- BRE IP 13/92, June 1992, 4 p.
- Keywords
- false alarms | fire detection systems | human behavior | weather effects
- Identifiers
- electrical storms
- Abstract
- This paper outlines the conclusions of a study by the Fire Research Station on false alarms from automatic fire detection systems (AFDS), based on the records of the Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. It is set in the context of other studies from 1968 to the present time and stresses the importance of people and their behavior, as well as the design characteristics of the systems. Currently most of them are of 'traditional' design but the paper notes an expectation of improvement as the new analogue addressable alarm systems become more commonplace. Quantitative data are presented concerning the effect of electrical storms on AFDS and some suggestions are made on measures to reduce the brigades, fire engineers, architects and specifiers.