Coopers Fire highlights the cost of false fire alarms

Coopers Fire highlights the cost of false fire alarms

False fire alarms are an industry-wide issue but they can have significant consequences for businesses: financial, reputational and even legal. Yet, according to Coopers Fire, being aware of the potential costs of false alarms can help organisations to take the necessary steps to minimise the potential for false alarms and mitigate the impact they can have should they occur.

Financial

The most obvious issue is financial. False alarms and the sequence they may trigger, such as evacuating a building and shutting down production can have a financial impact. There is also the possibility that organisations could face a financial penalty for false alarms – particularly if they happen often.

Productivity

If employees are forced to exit a building as a result of a false alarm it can lead to lost productivity. Of course, it’s vital that employees don’t become complacent about alarms and always follow protocol. But it can be detrimental to down tools on a regular basis when it’s not necessary.

Reputational

Too many false alarms can lead to negative perceptions among both customers (including potential customers) and employees. They can also give the impression that an organisation is poorly maintained or that safety is not paramount to operations.

Legal

Some jurisdictions have laws and regulations that enforce legal penalties for false fire alarms. This could include fines or even criminal charges.