It’s something that crosses many people’s minds—especially for business owners or landlords managing properties with fire alarms: “Will I be charged if I call the fire brigade?” Or, “What happens if my alarm goes off by accident?”
The short answer is: generally, there is no charge for calling out the fire brigade in a genuine emergency.
But there are important exceptions, especially for repeated false alarms or non-emergencies.
Let’s explain when you might face a fee, and how to avoid it.
Emergency Fire Calls Are Free
If you call 999 because you believe there is a real fire, there is no cost to you. The UK fire and rescue service is publicly funded and is there to protect life, property, and the environment.
Whether you’re a homeowner, tenant, business owner, or passer-by, you won’t be charged for alerting the fire service to a suspected fire or genuine risk.
This includes:
- Visible fire or smoke
- Smell of burning
- Alarm system activation with signs of danger
- Trapped individuals or rescue situations
In these cases, call without hesitation. The fire service would always rather attend a false alarm than arrive too late to a real one.
When You Might Be Charged
While genuine emergencies are free to attend, some situations may incur a fee, particularly where:
- There are repeated false alarms from automated systems
- There’s a known faulty alarm system that hasn’t been addressed
- The call is for a non-emergency service, like pumping out floodwater or removing debris
- Commercial services are requested, such as attending a public event or carrying out a fire safety demonstration
Each fire and rescue service has its own policy, and charges are usually outlined under their authority’s “Special Services” or “False Alarm Reduction” policies.
For example:
- Some services may charge after a set number of false alarms in a calendar year.
- You might be charged if call-outs could have been prevented through proper maintenance.
- In some cases, charges apply for time spent or equipment used in non-emergency situations.
It’s worth checking with your local fire service (e.g. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service, Surrey Fire & Rescue Service, or Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue) to see their specific policy.
False Alarms from Fire Alarm Systems
One of the most common concerns for businesses and landlords is fire alarms going off when there’s no actual fire. These unwanted fire signals (UwFS) can result in a serious waste of resources—and may put you at risk of future non-attendance or charges.
Some fire services operate call challenge procedures, where they will try to confirm if the alarm is genuine before dispatching a crew, especially during office hours. If your alarm system frequently triggers false calls, you may be:
- Asked to upgrade or improve the system
- Required to demonstrate maintenance and response procedures
- Subject to charges if action isn’t taken
This is especially true for commercial buildings, hotels, student accommodation, and blocks of flats where automatic fire alarm systems are linked to a monitoring centre.
Do Landlords or Businesses Need to Be Careful?
Yes—landlords, housing associations, and commercial property owners should have procedures in place to:
- Investigate alarms before calling the fire service (if safe to do so)
- Keep fire alarm systems properly maintained and tested
- Train staff or occupants on how to respond to alarms
- Review and act on fire risk assessment recommendations
Not only will this help reduce false alarms, but it will also keep you in line with your duties under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
How ESI Can Help
At ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections, we help businesses, landlords, and managing agents stay on top of their fire safety obligations across Farnborough, Camberley, Guildford, Reading, and surrounding areas.
We can:
- Carry out or update your fire risk assessment
- Advise on alarm system servicing and false alarm prevention
- Help ensure your documentation and procedures meet current fire safety standards
- Support compliance with BS 5839-1 for fire alarm system maintenance
If you’re worried about your alarm system triggering unnecessary call-outs—or you’re not sure if your building is at risk of being charged for fire service attendance—get in touch. We’ll help you get clear answers and the right safety measures in place.
