False alarms - and what they cost

The purpose of the Euralarm-Study: Determine the actual costs of false alarms in selected countries, including Switzerland.

Cost-cutting measures and the allegedly high number of false alarms have led some European countries to adapt the standard response procedures of fire departments. In certain countries, for example, incoming alarm messages must first be checked before the fire department is called into action. This is done to avoid costs. However, only the consequences of false alarms are taken into account with regard to firefighting operations. The fact that this also represents a safety risk and can lead to higher costs for society is often not taken into account, as Euralarm writes.

Thanks to its scientific design, the study provides a good insight into the phenomenon of false alarms. It includes a description of the process for initiating firefighting operations, formulas for calculating key figures for false alarms, and a method for general analysis. This made it possible to draw an accurate picture of the situation with regard to false alarms in the selected countries - Germany, Great Britain/England, Switzerland, Sweden and Austria/Vorarlberg.

Study makes recommendations

The study also includes recommendations and strategies for reducing the number of false alarms. These are based on statistics on fires and - in particular - the relationship between the number of fire alarm reports resulting from the detection of real fires by fire alarm systems and the number of false alarms. As a conclusion, the Euralarm working group states that the issue of false alarms needs to be more integrated into fire protection and fire detection strategies. The handling of false alarms must become an active part of on-site management. Euralarm makes recommendations on how this can be realized.

"False Alarm Study," 62 pages, ISBN 978-3-503-18100-1, Erich Schmidt Publishing House