Emergency response
Fire alarm ringing: evacuation and calling 999
When a fire alarm sounds, stop work and follow the premises emergency plan. Learn how to assess the escape route, seek help if trapped and what to do once you reach safety.
If there is fire or immediate danger
Leave by a safe, smoke-free route and call 999 from safety. Do not enter smoke or use a lift. If no escape route is safe, take shelter, close the door and call 999 with your exact location.
Quick answers
Can the sound tell me whether an alarm is false?
No. Do not classify an alarm by its sound, duration or pattern alone. Follow the emergency procedure and never enter smoke or fire to locate its source.
Must I respond if I cannot see smoke?
Yes. Follow the emergency procedure for every alarm and check whether the corridor and staircase are safe. Do not assume an alarm is false simply because you cannot see smoke.
Should I continue down a smoky staircase?
Do not enter a smoke-filled staircase. Use another safe route. If none is available, move to a place of shelter, close the door and call 999 with your location.
Can I go back when the alarm stops?
Wait in a safe place until firefighters say you can return, even if the alarm has stopped.
Treat the alarm as real
Stop work, alert people nearby and follow the premises emergency plan immediately. Treat every alarm this way, including alarms from a location where false alarms have happened before.
If you see fire or smoke or smell burning, activate the nearest fire alarm call point if it is safe to do so and leave. Do not remain in danger to investigate, and never go back for belongings.
- Help people who need assistance without becoming trapped
- Do not silence, reset or isolate the alarm system
- Close doors as you leave, but do not lock them
Assess the route before deciding how to leave
Residents hearing an alarm should assess the conditions and the risks of staying in or leaving their unit. Do not step into a smoke-filled corridor or staircase. If leaving, use a designated route and staircase free of smoke, never a lift. Offices and other premises should follow their own emergency procedures.
Do not open a hot door or one with smoke coming through it. If smoke blocks a corridor or staircase, use another safe route. If none is available, retreat to a place that can resist smoke, close the door and call 999 with your exact location.
Call 999 from safety and assemble
Once safe, dial 999. Give the full address, floor or unit, the nature of the incident, whether anyone is trapped or hurt, and your contact number. Do not assume that somebody else has called.
Go to the designated assembly point and report for the roll call. Stay clear of the building and keep access clear for fire engines. Wait for firefighters to say it is safe before going back inside.
Practical checklist
- Stop work and treat the alarm as real
- Assess the route; use smoke-free stairs if leaving
- Do not use a lift
- Do not open a hot door or one with smoke coming through it
- Call 999 from a safe place
- Report at the assembly point
- Do not re-enter without permission
When to call a registered contractor
For fire or immediate danger, leave by a safe route or seek shelter if escape is blocked, and call 999. Arrange contractor follow-up after the immediate danger has been controlled.
- The alarm did not operate, was not audible or failed in part of the premises
- The control panel shows a fault, isolation or power problem
- Post-incident inspection, testing, repair and service records are required
Official sources
The official documents below provide the full requirements and any updates.
Related reading
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Read articleA monthly building fire-safety checklist
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