Asda is set to extend a scheme to combat false fire alarms following a successful trial using pager technology in-store.
During one six-week period, the 10-store trial in Greater Manchester was so successful that the retailer recorded a 90% reduction in false alarms.
The system gives stores a three-minute window to verify whether alarms are genuine or false before firefighters are called and shoppers evacuated from stores.
Special two-man Asda fire investigation teams have been set up at each store and given pagers indicating the location of a ringing alarm. One member races to the alarm and, in the case of a false alert, instantly contacts his or her colleague to stand down the alarm.
Asda environmental health manager Carole Stewart said around 97% of fire alarms stores were errors caused by anything from an electrical fault to high heat in the bakery department. She added: “False alarms are both upsetting and annoying for customers, since they are rushed out of the store unnecessarily.”
Asda will evaluate the success of the Manchester scheme with a view to rolling it out nationwide.
During one six-week period, the 10-store trial in Greater Manchester was so successful that the retailer recorded a 90% reduction in false alarms.
The system gives stores a three-minute window to verify whether alarms are genuine or false before firefighters are called and shoppers evacuated from stores.
Special two-man Asda fire investigation teams have been set up at each store and given pagers indicating the location of a ringing alarm. One member races to the alarm and, in the case of a false alert, instantly contacts his or her colleague to stand down the alarm.
Asda environmental health manager Carole Stewart said around 97% of fire alarms stores were errors caused by anything from an electrical fault to high heat in the bakery department. She added: “False alarms are both upsetting and annoying for customers, since they are rushed out of the store unnecessarily.”
Asda will evaluate the success of the Manchester scheme with a view to rolling it out nationwide.
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