It’s 3 am. Your phone rings. The alarm has gone off again. You know it’s probably another false alarm, but you can’t ignore it. You check the cameras, call the keyholder, and go through the motions. You’re exhausted. Frustrated. And starting to wonder what it is going to cost, this time.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. False alarms might seem like a minor nuisance until they start costing your business time, money and trust. And when you’re the person responsible for keeping your fire and security systems compliant and your insurer happy, the stakes are even higher.
According to Richard Fogelman, Chief Executive of the National Security Inspectorate (NSI), the UK’s most trusted certification body for fire and security providers, false alarms are on the rise. And that’s a problem for everyone.
Why? In an article for Security Matters, Richard points to three recurring causes:
When your systems are ageing, your team isn’t fully trained, and no one is checking the equipment regularly, false alarms become inevitable. What starts as an inconvenience quickly becomes a liability.
Let’s break it down.
Financial penalties: Many UK fire and emergency services now charge for repeated false alarm callouts, especially at non-domestic sites like businesses, hospitals and student accommodation. These charges are not aimed at homes or care facilities, but they are definitely a growing issue for commercial premises.
For example, the London Fire Brigade will charge £290 plus VAT per callout once a building hits more than 10 false alarms in a year. In West Yorkshire, they start charging from the fourth false alarm, with fees based on how long the fire service is on site. The aim is clear: cover costs and encourage businesses to manage their systems properly.
If your business triggers alarms frequently, these costs can escalate fast. Some organisations, like major hospitals, would be looking at six-figure annual bills if every false alarm were charged. The London Fire Brigade alone reports that false alarms cost them around £37 million each year. The wider economic cost to the UK is estimated to be closer to £1 billion annually, mostly in lost productivity and wasted resources.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service policy: ECFRS do not currently charge businesses for false alarm callouts, but they do treat persistent false alarms seriously.
False alarms, referred to as "Unwanted Fire Signals" (UwFS), are managed through a policy of non-attendance to automatic fire alarm activations unless there are clear signs of fire - such as a 999 call or visual confirmation from the premises. In other words, if your system repeatedly triggers without a real incident, fire crews may stop attending altogether.
While there are no fines, ECFRS may use their enforcement powers under fire safety legislation if ongoing false alarms suggest poor fire safety management. Businesses are encouraged to work with their system provider to resolve the issue and reduce unnecessary callouts.
Essex Police policy: Unlike some forces, Essex Police do not currently impose fines or direct charges for false alarm callouts. However, they do follow the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Security Systems Policy in managing police response to alarm systems (see below). Essex Police do apply administration fees for alarm system registration and management, such as issuing Unique Reference Numbers (URNs) - but these are not linked to false alarm activity.
But it's not just about money. Repeated false alarms also disrupt operations, waste time and damage reputations. They create complacency among staff and customers, too, which is dangerous. Worst of all, they tie up emergency crews that could be needed elsewhere in a real emergency.
Reputation damage: Whether it’s an unnecessary evacuation or a siren mid-meeting, false alarms undermine customer confidence and staff morale. Not to mention irritating the residents of any neighbouring properties!
Operational disruption: Every false alarm wastes time, breaks momentum and causes stress.
Loss of Police Response: In the UK, police response to alarm systems is only provided to systems that hold a valid Unique Reference Number (URN). A URN is issued when a monitored intruder or personal attack alarm system is installed and maintained to strict standards.
Under the National Police Chiefs’ Council policy, if a system with a URN produces two false alarms in a 12-month period, you will receive a warning. If a third false alarm occurs within that time, police response is withdrawn. Your URN status is suspended, and the system is downgraded to Level 3, which means no police attendance unless there is evidence of a crime in progress or a direct threat to life. Alarm activations will only result in a keyholder response.
The URN can be reinstated, but only after the underlying issue has been resolved, any necessary upgrades have been completed, and a further period of fault-free operation (typically three months) has passed.
Insurance implications: If your insurer requires a monitored alarm system with police response and your URN is suspended, this may affect your insurance coverage. Many policies contain a condition that requires an alarm system to be operational, maintained, and, if stated, monitored with police response.
If you lose that police response, you must notify your insurer. Failure to do so could result in your cover being voided. In some cases, your insurer may still provide cover but raise your premium until the URN is reinstated. Either way, not addressing the issue puts your business at risk.
Always check your policy wording and speak to your insurer if your alarm system status changes. This is not something you can afford to overlook.
This isn’t just a business problem. It’s an industry-wide challenge that demands better systems and stronger collaboration across the sector.
In his article, Richard Fogelman, Chief Executive of the National Security Inspectorate (NSI), highlighted the broader implications of rising false alarm rates across the UK. He pointed to issues in dual-path signalling - especially the shift from Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Internet Protocol (IP) communications and ongoing Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) reliability problems - as a root cause of this growing trend.
These faults are not just inconvenient. They create mounting pressure on police forces, insurers and Alarm Receiving Centres. Richard emphasises the need for the security industry to come together, address these technological weaknesses and ensure systems remain effective and resilient.
His call to action is clear: we need smarter collaboration and stronger system integrity to protect emergency resources, uphold insurer confidence and maintain trust in security systems across the board.
At Blake’s, we’ve spent over 40 years helping businesses manage false alarms and fire security systems reliably. We don’t just sell alarms. We deliver a complete, professional service. We deliver the full package: smart technology, training, maintenance and the confidence that your systems are fully operational.
We start by making sure your system is fit for purpose. No outdated panels. No patch jobs. Just reliable, modern systems that do the job properly.
Then we train your team. Because even the best system can be let down by human error. We take the time to explain what to do, what not to do and how to avoid unnecessary callouts.
“The engineers arrived on time and on the day arranged… they were very helpful explaining how to operate the system… the whole process was handled in a very professional manner.”
M. Collins, Southend-on-Sea
We also handle your ongoing maintenance proactively, not reactively. Scheduled servicing, swift callouts and a commitment to compliance that’s second to none.
“Your engineers bring all the equipment they need for the job, are smart and clean… I never have any issues with invoices, booking in visits, early or late.”
Marian Brown, Office Manager, Wethersfield C of E Primary School
And everything we do is backed by the highest industry certifications: NSI Gold, BAFE and SSAIB. When you work with Blake’s, you’re not just ticking a compliance box. You’re protecting your people, your premises and your peace of mind.
As the nominated Responsible Person, you’ve already got enough on your plate. You shouldn’t have to chase engineers, second-guess your alarm system or worry whether your insurance is valid.
“Your colleagues have been helpful, informative and very patient with me… things have been explained well and the training I have received has been excellent.”
Kirsty Powell, Director, Chef’s Choice Ltd
With Blake’s, everything is covered - installation, training, maintenance and monitoring. Just systems that work. Without fuss.
False alarms are more than a nuisance. They can cost you time, money, compliance, police response and even your insurance cover. But they’re avoidable - with the right team on your side.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
Call Blake’s today. We’ll handle your fire and security. You focus on running your business.
