“The latest government fire and rescue incident statistics highlight a continuing challenge for the fire safety sector, with false fire alarms increasing once more in England in the year ending June 2026.
“Fire and rescue services attended 260,577 fire false alarms during the year, which was a 3.8% increase on the previous 12 months. Of these, a significant 178,003 instances were attributed to apparatus – up 3.2% year on year and increasing 22% compared with a decade ago. Given false alarms were found to account for 41% of all incidents attended, this remains an area of importance for the industry to address.
“The figures signal a real need to look carefully at how fire alarm systems are specified, installed, tested, and maintained – and, crucially, ensure all who are responsible for fire safety have a clear awareness and understanding of this vital equipment. In environments where layouts, activity, and occupancy change, fire safety arrangements must keep pace with evolving risks. Regular inspections, clearly communicated procedures, and the assurance alarms can be heard and understood by everyone on site are all important elements of a successful approach to managing fire safety and alleviating pressure on our fire services.
“Furthermore, the data shows that building fires accounted for 60% of all primary fires attended by fire and rescue services (39,478 building fires were recorded during the period). While this reassuringly sees a 1.5% decrease on the previous year, the figures underline the importance of continued fire safety education and awareness. Building owners, site managers, and responsible persons must understand the unique risks present in their premises, ensure fire risk assessments are regularly reviewed, and make certain appropriate equipment is properly maintained and fit for purpose.
“We would encourage consistent attention to these fundamentals – and ongoing due diligence – to reduce the risk of false alarms and preventable incidents.”
For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fire-and-rescue-incident-statistics-year-ending-june-2026/fire-and-rescue-incident-statistics-year-ending-june-2026
About the Author
CheckFire
With 50 years of experience in the fire industry, CheckFire delivers innovative products and trusted expertise in fire safety and protection. From our early days in a family garage in 1975 to becoming a leading UK fire trade supplier, we’ve celebrated many milestones and continue to grow and innovate.
