How do I apply for an exemption?
SWFRS will consider applications for exemptions. If you feel that you have a special case to make in relation to a specific risk at your premises, then you should contact our Business Fire Safety department via afaenquiries@southwales-fire.gov.uk
SWFRS recognises that some individual sites could present a significant societal/community impact in the event of a fire, and therefore could be considered for exemption. Again, the level of risk and whether an exemption may apply will need to be determined on an individual premises basis.
Exemptions –
There are some exemptions to the new model, which include:
- High-rise residential buildings that are not currently compliant with fire safety law, for example, those that have an enforcement notice served on them (HRRBs) will continue to receive a full pre-determined attendance (PDA) response during the day and night
- Residential nursing/care homes will continue to receive a full PDA response at all hours
Other premises for which there is a desire to continue to receive an automatic response will need to provide a business case that will be considered against a risk criteria, but will be expected to move towards a full fire plan. Specific individual exemptions will be considered by the Service on a case-by-case basis.
Exemptions list.
Business owners: how you can help to reduce false alarms or unwanted fire signals
We fully support the installation of automatic fire alarm systems, but these systems must be properly managed and maintained to reduce false alarms and ensure that they activate at the right time and achieve the correct response.
You must work with your fire risk assessor and update your fire risk assessment with any changes.
Other key steps include:
- Reviewing your fire safety risk assessment and keeping a log of all false alarms to identify any spikes and/or trends which should be raised with your alarm engineers
- Creating an action plan to reduce the chance of any false alarm occurring
- Checking detector types and their locations – would moving detectors or changing the type used reduce activations? Seek advice from your alarm engineer
- Upgrading automatic fire detection (AFD) systems that are obsolete with more modern technology, e.g. ‘multi-sensing’ detectors
- Keeping AFD systems appropriately maintained
- Fitting manual call points with protective plastic covers in problem, vulnerable, or high traffic areas
- Ascertaining whether any false alarms are a result of activating the wrong call points, such as green emergency door release points
- Considering whether a link to an alarm receiving centre is necessary, or if it is appropriate to suspend the automatic dialling function whilst buildings are occupied, or at certain times of the day
- Seeking further guidance and advice from your alarm system provider or servicing agent as well as our service’s Business fire safety officer.
