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London Fire Brigade to charge for false alarms | London Fire Brigade to charge for false alarms |
(about 5 hours later) | |
London Fire Brigade (LFB) is to charge businesses for call outs if they attend more than 10 false alarms in a 12-month period, from 1 January. | London Fire Brigade (LFB) is to charge businesses for call outs if they attend more than 10 false alarms in a 12-month period, from 1 January. |
During the last financial year the service was called to 403 locations more than 10 times, costing the brigade about £800,000. | During the last financial year the service was called to 403 locations more than 10 times, costing the brigade about £800,000. |
Had charges been in place, nearly £500,000 would have been recouped from London hospitals alone. | Had charges been in place, nearly £500,000 would have been recouped from London hospitals alone. |
LFB said the £290 fine would not affect domestic properties or care homes. | LFB said the £290 fine would not affect domestic properties or care homes. |
During the last financial year there were 25,550 attendances to false alarms at non-residential or other buildings, costing the brigade about £37m. | |
If the charges had been in place, airports would have paid out £66,410 for 229 penalties while student halls of residence would have added £45,240 to the pot for 156 incidents. | If the charges had been in place, airports would have paid out £66,410 for 229 penalties while student halls of residence would have added £45,240 to the pot for 156 incidents. |
James Cleverly, from the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA), said: "The public deserve and expect firefighters to be available to attend genuine emergencies rather than attending thousands of false alarms. | |
"The vast bulk of automatic fire alarm calls turn out not to be fires, these are often caused by poor management or maintenance of alarm systems." | "The vast bulk of automatic fire alarm calls turn out not to be fires, these are often caused by poor management or maintenance of alarm systems." |
False alarm 'concern' | |
LFB said it hoped the charge would lead to better maintained fire alarms which were not triggered by burnt toast, steam or dust. | LFB said it hoped the charge would lead to better maintained fire alarms which were not triggered by burnt toast, steam or dust. |
It added it was also "concerned" that regular false fire alarms could lead to people ignoring them, which "could be disastrous" in the case of a real fire. | It added it was also "concerned" that regular false fire alarms could lead to people ignoring them, which "could be disastrous" in the case of a real fire. |
A spokesperson for NHS England said: "The safety of our patients and staff will always come first, and we are very grateful for the assistance of the London Fire Brigade and other emergency services when required. | |
"It is the responsibility of all healthcare staff to improve fire safety and only call the fire brigade when it is a genuine emergency." |
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