The good news is that many of its installer customers have responded to the call, converting from bell systems to monitored systems and purchasing hundreds of Gardiner and BT redcare's specially launched joint initiative - the firestu.com 3 pin stu housed in a BT redcare approved 24Volt with 1 amp power supply.
That said, the cost to industry, commerce and the Fire & Rescue Services of the ongoing false alarm problem remains enormous - in excess of £1.bn is the latest estimate, equating to each false alarm costing industry £2228 and the F&RS between £300 - £500. The British Standards and the CFOA policy are the main drivers for companies working in the fire industry to design install and maintain systems to reduce/eliminate false alarms.
"There's good cause to be pleased with some of the security industry's response, but there's still a long way to go to address the issue," says Peter Holmes. "As we keep stressing to everyone we deal with, including all our training delegates, a monitored system is a managed system. Anything less is potentially as much of a problem as it is supposed to be a solution."
Following the launch of Gardiner's joint venture with BT, companies are asked to name 50 customers from their database who have bells-only fire alarm and detection systems installed at their premises. BT will target market these companies on installers' behalf and convert them to a monitored system by introducing them to firestu.com, with a 56% success rate.
Aimed at Gardiner Security's existing and potential customers, the programme is tailored to convert bells-only fire alarm detection systems into monitored fire alarm detection systems, with benefits on all sides. Customers get a system which works for them, installers can receive recurring revenue from monitoring contracts, and the authorities know who is following their policy.
As BS 5839 -1:2002 (incorporating amendment No. 1) has a section focusing exclusively on the responsibilities for monitoring and reducing false alarms, the CFOA policy has far reaching consequences as part of its three-year phase-in. It recommends systems connected to ARCs be wired in fire resistant cable, be continuously monitored and be provided with the same battery standby time as the fire system. Insurance companies have also been pressing for more monitored systems.