Summer brings two security challenges that don’t get nearly as much attention as the winter/Christmas shutdown period, but matter just as much: extended periods with premises empty for staff holidays, and heatwaves that genuinely affect how fire alarm systems behave. Here’s what’s worth thinking about on both fronts.
Heatwaves and false fire alarms
During periods of sustained high temperatures, fire and rescue services across the UK routinely see a spike in call volumes to automatic fire alarms that turn out to be false activations. It’s a big enough issue that some fire services have publicly asked businesses to verify a fire is genuinely suspected — for example by calling 999 to confirm — before assuming an automatic alarm alone will bring an immediate attendance, because crews are already stretched during hot spells.
Why heat causes this: many older or incorrectly sited detectors struggle to tell the difference between an actual fire and ordinary heat build-up, especially in areas like conservatories, plant rooms, loading bays, or top-floor spaces that get significantly hotter in direct summer sun. Detectors placed near skylights, in poorly ventilated roof spaces, or close to equipment that runs hotter in summer are particularly prone to nuisance activations.
What helps:
- Making sure detectors are the right type for the environment they’re in — heat detectors rather than smoke detectors in areas prone to temperature swings, steam, or dust
- Reviewing detector placement in any space that gets noticeably hotter in summer, rather than assuming a system that’s fine in winter will behave the same way in July
- Keeping servicing up to date — ageing detectors are more prone to false activation generally, and heat stress makes this worse
- Having a clear, documented process for your team to verify an alarm where appropriate, so genuine incidents are never delayed, but nuisance triggers don’t tie up emergency services unnecessarily
Extended summer closures
School holidays and staff leave mean many businesses run on skeleton staff, or close entirely, for stretches over the summer — and an empty building for days or weeks at a time is a well-known window of opportunity for opportunist break-ins. A few practical steps make a real difference:
- Confirm your alarm monitoring is active and up to date. If your keyholder list hasn’t been reviewed recently, summer is a good time to check it — the person a call-out goes to shouldn’t be the one who’s away on holiday.
- Walk the site before you close up. Check windows, fire exits, and any external access points are properly secured, not just the main entrance.
- Review CCTV coverage of anything left outside, such as vehicles, deliveries, or equipment, which are common targets when a site is known to be quiet.
- Consider manned guarding or additional patrols for sites that will be empty for an extended period, particularly larger commercial premises or sites with valuable stock or equipment on-site.
- Don’t broadcast the closure. Simple, but worth saying: avoid posting specific dates of extended closures publicly where it’s easy for anyone to see the building will be empty.
Fire safety obligations don’t pause for summer
It’s worth remembering that your fire risk assessment and BS 5839 servicing obligations don’t take a summer break either. If your business operates a shift pattern that changes over summer, or if certain areas are used less (or differently) during the holiday period, it’s worth checking your fire risk assessment still reflects how the building is actually being used.
How Watchman can help
Whether it’s reviewing detector placement ahead of a heatwave, checking your alarm monitoring and keyholder details are current, or arranging additional patrols for an extended closure, our team can help make sure your business is properly covered over the summer months.
Get in touch to arrange a summer security check, or call 01474 526 653.
