First reported 17 Jan 2014•Latest report 26 Apr 2022
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures of fire detection and emergency-notification controls specifically intended to protect vulnerable people in housing, including alarm installation and operation, automatic links to Alarm Receiving Centres or telecare systems, alarm-status communication, and arrangements that enable prompt emergency-service notification.
Not included
Excludes general fire-prevention, evacuation, sprinkler, building-design or fire-risk-assessment deficiencies unless they directly concern fire detection or emergency notification.
Excludes generic telecare, communication or emergency-response failures without a fire-detection or fire-notification connection.
Excludes failures limited to smoke-alarm interlinking status where the existing dedicated smoke-alarm interlinking concern is the more specific supported boundary.
Excludes fire-alarm deficiencies in prisons, workplaces or public venues unless the assertion concerns the same vulnerable-person housing context.
Reports
6
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
6
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2014–2022
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
16
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Barnet Assist1
British Standards Institution1
Home Office1
Leeds City Council1
Liaise (London) Limited1
London Borough of Brent1
London Borough of Hackney1
London Fire Brigade1
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government1
National Fire Chiefs Council1
Sovereign Network Homes1
London borough council2
Ministerial department2
English metropolitan district council1
Fire and rescue service1
Local authority service1
National fire and rescue body1
Private limited company1
Registered provider of social housing1
Standards body1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
East London
Concerns raised1
Non-compliant fire alarms lacking automatic links to an Alarm Receiving Centre
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.6
Action
Report the alarm connection concern to relevant British Standards committees to encourage debate and pursue improved outcomes.
Stated by National Fire Chiefs CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 29 April 2022.
Action
Continue advocating with government, regulators and the sector for legislative change enabling enforcement of relevant British Standard requirements.
Stated by London Fire CommissionerStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 April 2022.
Action
Consider strengthening standards commentary on zone plans, including their life-safety importance and potential non-conformity.
Stated by British Standards InstitutionStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 29 April 2022.
Action
Consider recommending that users establish local fire-and-rescue-service policies for automatic fire-alarm responses and confirm premises coverage.
Stated by British Standards InstitutionStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 29 April 2022.
Action
Complete and activate the Alarm Receiving Centre link for one home’s fire alarm system.
Stated by KennedysStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 April 2022.
Action
Update two homes’ fire alarm systems and install Alarm Receiving Centre links, with completion scheduled for 24 June 2022.
Stated by KennedysStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 29 April 2022.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.6
Position
Enforcement of fire safety regulations is outside the organisation’s functions because it is not an enforcing authority and has no regulatory functions.
Stated by National Fire Chiefs CouncilOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
British Standard recommendations cannot be directly enforced without legislative authority or a demonstrable safety risk arising from non-compliance.
Stated by London Fire CommissionerUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Where alternative arrangements provide an equivalent safety level, no enforceable risk exists requiring compliance with British Standard ARC recommendations.
Stated by London Fire CommissionerExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Fire detection installation and servicing issues should be examined by subcommittee FSH/12/1, which is responsible for the relevant standards.
Stated by British Standards InstitutionRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
The three homes did not follow British Standards guidance but were not non-compliant with the applicable requirements.
Stated by KennedysDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Completion of alarm system upgrades at two homes was delayed because the implementing team was absent due to Covid-19.
Stated by KennedysUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
North London
Concerns raised1
Inadequate fire detection systems in premises housing vulnerable individuals
This report raised 10 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Pursue with the London Borough of Barnet a requirement for sheltered housing tenants to receive local fire and rescue service home fire safety visits.
Stated by Barnet Homes LimitedStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 24 February 2022.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Matters of Concern 2, 3 and 4 are not issues for the landlord to address.
Stated by Sovereign Network HomesOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Existing fire prevention, detection and response systems are considered adequate and appropriate under applicable law and guidance.
Stated by Sovereign Network HomesExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Failure of smoke detection systems to provide sufficiently early warning of cigarette-related fires
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Lack of a smoke detection system in the bedroom
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Black Country
Concerns raised1
Installation of alarms in locations inaccessible to elderly or immobile occupiers
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
West Yorkshire Eastern
Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure smoke detectors are fitted in housing properties
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.9
Action
Install hard-wired smoke detection in approximately 1,200 properties subject to fire-risk assessment.
Stated by Housing LeedsStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 17 January 2014.
Action
Install smoke detection through the CareRing system in 4,300 sheltered-housing dwellings during FY2014/15.
Stated by Housing LeedsStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 17 January 2014.
Action
Rewire approximately 1,100 properties during FY2014/15, including hard-wired smoke detection in each property.
Stated by Housing LeedsStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 17 January 2014.
Action
Identify approximately 40 properties for the ring-fenced March–April 2014 rewiring programme, which will include hard-wired smoke detection.
Stated by Housing LeedsStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 17 January 2014.
Action
Install battery smoke detection in remaining properties without detection over the next 12 months, using a targeted plan developed with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Stated by Housing LeedsStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 17 January 2014.
Action
Review and update the Electrical Specification to require hard-wired smoke detection when major electrical works are completed.
Stated by Housing LeedsStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 17 January 2014.
Action
Install battery and, where applicable, carbon-monoxide detection in sheltered dwellings lacking existing detection.
Stated by Housing LeedsStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 17 January 2014.
Action
Install battery detection in LCC-owned Caspon-type properties lacking existing detection, alongside the completed fire-safety works.
Stated by Housing LeedsStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 17 January 2014.
Action
Add smoke-detection identification to annual tenancy visits and refer properties without detection to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for interim detectors.
Stated by Housing LeedsStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 17 January 2014.
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Includes failures of fire detection and emergency-notification controls specifically intended to protect vulnerable people in housing, including alarm installation and operation, automatic links to Alarm Receiving Centres or telecare systems, alarm-status communication, and arrangements that enable prompt emergency-service notification.
