False fire alarms: what causes them and how to prevent them?

False fire alarms: what causes them and how to prevent them?

Few things disrupt a business more than a fire alarm that keeps going off for no reason. Apart from wasted time and money, repeated false activations can lead to complacency — the last thing you want in a real emergency. To solve the problem, it’s important to understand the most common false fire alarm causes and how to prevent them.

Common false fire alarm causes

• Cooking fumes or steam: Common in kitchens or bathrooms without proper ventilation.

• Poor detector placement: A smoke detector above a toaster or shower is a recipe for nuisance alarms.

• Over-sensitivity: Detectors set too sensitive can interpret dust or aerosols as smoke.

• Lack of maintenance: Dust build-up in detectors triggers random alarms.

• Electrical faults: Loose connections can send unwanted fire alarm signals.

BS 5839 guidance on false alarms

The British Standard recognises false alarms as a major problem. It recommends correct fire alarm detector placement, regular cleaning, and proper system settings to reduce nuisance signals.

How to prevent false fire alarms

• Use the right detector type (heat detectors in kitchens, optical smoke detectors in offices).

• Schedule routine inspections to clean and test detectors.

• Ensure your fire alarm provider adjusts detector sensitivity appropriately.

• Educate staff about what activities may trigger alarms.

Struggling with repeated false alarms? Contact us today for expert fire alarm troubleshooting and tailored solutions that reduce nuisance activations.

Fire Alarms