For multi-use and specific buildings
How does this work with multi-use buildings? Shops with flats above?
All AFA calls to SWFRS will be considered through our call filtering process and if there is any indication that private dwellings or other exempt premises are affected, then a response will be sent. This will be decided by the call operator, but there is no way of determining whether any particular premises is mixed use, unless the operator is informed at the point of call. Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) who manage and pass on fire alarm calls should have basic data on the premises the fire alarm signal originates from.
Therefore, an AFA actuating with no sign of fire in a shop may not attract a response but any residential accommodation should have suitable fire separation from any commercial elements of the building. However, if a fire is confirmed, then a response will be sent.
How will SWFRS respond to an AFA in a multi occupied building with a large numbers of visitors?
SWFRS’s response to AFAs at venues which host large numbers of visitors will depend on the building. Different buildings will have different fire safety protocols, for example some such as a listed theatre building will be exempt and will continue to receive a response to an AFA, whereas a more modern building which is not listed will not be exempt and won’t receive a response to an AFA.
If a building has mixed use and there are any indicators that the residential or exempt parts of the building are affected then SWFRS will respond to the AFA. SWFRS will continue to attend all confirmed fires.
How does SWFRS know if a building is residential?
SWFRS holds a range of data on buildings across South Wales already. In addition to this, where it is not obvious, for example in residential accommodation, or prisons, as part of SWFRS’s Control Room call handling procedures, the caller will be asked to confirm if the premises is residential. If they are unable to confirm, it will be treated as residential, and a response will be sent.
How do we know where all of the multi-use buildings are?
This is not necessarily information that SWFRS holds for mobilising purposes, it usually comes from the caller.
Do we know if the alarm is coming from the business or the residential space?
Every system is different and SWFRS can only respond to the information we are given. All AFA calls will be considered through our call filtering process and if there is any indication that private dwellings or other exempt premises are affected, then a response will be sent.
Other buildings
If a school is unoccupied when the fire signal is sent to the ARC, will SWFRS attend when there is no one on site to ‘call confirm’?
Yes, schools were added to the exemptions following feedback from the education and engagement process.
Are youth residential centres included in SWFRS’s AFA exemption policy?
Yes, all residential premises are included in SWFRS’s exemption policy and will receive an response to AFA at any time of the day.
Will SWFRS respond to false alarms in places of worship?
SWFRS’s response to an AFA at a place of worship will depend on the building. If a place of worship is a listed building, then that will be exempt and will continue to receive a response to an AFA. However, a more modern place of worship which is not listed will not be exempt and will not receive a response to AFA’s. SWFRS will continue to attend all confirmed fires.
Are health centres included in SWFRS’s exemption policy?
No, health centre premises do not come under the exemptions policy for AFAs. However, SWFRS will continue to attend all confirmed fires at all premises.
Will data centres be included in SWFRS’s exemption policy?
No, data centres do not come under the exemptions list for AFA’s. However, SWFRS will continue to attend all confirmed fires.
Are Police stations included in SWFRS’s exemptions policy?
Police stations that have custody suits are exempt as “other secure establishments” in the exemption policy and will continue to receive a response to AFAs.
For buildings that contain animals – will they be exempt and offered an auto-response or subject to call challenge?
It is considered unlikely that any commercial premises would be unoccupied if the business involves the care of animals. Also, data has not suggested that this type of premises presents a particular risk. Therefore, there is no reason to automatically exempt these types of premises.
However, SWFRS recognises that some individual sites could present a risk to animals in the event of a fire. Therefore, following a local review of such premises indicating that all appropriate safety precautions have been undertaken and a significant risk to animals still exists, then the premises could be considered for exemption. The level of risk and whether exemption may apply will need to be determined on an individual premises basis.
Are sites where lithium batteries are stored included in SWFRS’s exemptions policy?
The majority of AFA calls received do not include that type of information and 99% of the AFAs that SWFRS attends are false alarms, not fires. Storage of Lithium batteries alone would not mean an exemption is made.