THE COUNTY's fire service will no longer attend automatic fire alarms at low-risk businesses.

Automatic Fire Alarm (AFA) activations that require attendance from a fire station pose a financial draw on limited resources, which means that money must be taken from other emergency provisions to fund the callouts.

An automatic fire alarm aims to alert occupants that there is a fire so they can investigate or evacuate the premises or take other pre-prearranged actions without compromising their safety.

The decision comes after data from 2022 and 2023 showed Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) responded to 1,946 automatic fire alarms which turned out to be false alarms.

The new rule will come into effect on April 1 later this year.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: “Responding to these alarms can cause unnecessary risk to fire crews and the public, take up crucial time, and may delay a response to a genuine emergency.

“In addition, every AFA activation can cost your business money through lost production and disrupt the routine of your organisation.”

“Our business support advisors have liaised with both Dorset and Wiltshire Chambers of Commerce and the relevant Local Enterprise Partnerships.

"Our business fire safety teams and operational crews have been engaging with businesses during our risk-based and proactive work, giving advice and guidance to support these changes.”

“In non-domestic premises covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the employer, the owner or someone else who has control of the premises (the designated ‘Responsible Person’) must ensure as far as is reasonably practicable that the premises are safe for its occupants in the event of a fire.

“These arrangements would include the actions that would be taken if the AFA system was activated.”

However, DWFRS will still always attend AFA activations in domestic and residential buildings; at all other places where people sleep, identified higher-risk premises and any premises where a fire is suspected, on receipt of a 999 call, or by confirmation by other means.

Businesses should always phone 999 if there is a fire.