Changes to the way Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue respond to Automatic Fire Alarms
Lizz Clarke • May 6, 2025
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) is changing the way it responds to Automatic Fire Alarms in certain types of buildings as of 01 August 2025.
Following a public consultation, HIWFRS will no longer automatically send crews when there is an automatic fire alarm notification in buildings with no sleeping risk, during the hours of 08:00 and 18:00hrs, unless there are confirmed signs of fire.
This policy applies to commercial, non-residential buildings such as shops, offices, leisure centres, libraries and warehouses. The Service will continue to attend automatic fire alarm notifications at buildings where there is a sleeping risk, such as hotels, hospitals, care homes, houses, and flats. There are also exceptions for heritage buildings, educational institutions during holidays, and specific alarm specifications.
In all cases, an emergency response will continue to be sent to 999 calls and confirmed fires. For the full article please read here:
https://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/changes-to-the-way-we-respond-to-automatic-fire-alarms/
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