27 June 2014

There was severe disruption to train services in London after Waterloo station was evacuated due to a false alarm. 

A fire alarm was set off at 11.30am and entire station was evacuated.

London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police attended the scene to investigate.

No fire was found and the station re-opened at 1.30pm.

London Fire Brigade tweeted: “We were called to investigate a fire alarm at Waterloo station but to reassure you there is no fire. We will be leaving the scene shortly.”

The FIA has produced an infographic which highlights the extent of false alarms, identifies their causes and provides solutions to the issue.

It also has a microsite which provides useful advice and information on managing fire alarms systems, reducing false alarms and the consequences of having a false alarm.

Commercial buildings, non-domestic and multi-occupancy premises in England and Wales are already forced to undertake a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment carried out under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

While the overwhelming majority of premises do this, if the assessment is thought to have been carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.