Smoke Cloak Security devices

[CivvyFSO]

There is also the potential of it interfering with firefighting because the crews might break into the building to extinguish a fire, just to be faced with a non-involved room being full of smoke. A simple TIP sheet, so that crews don't go squirting water all round the room that isn't even on fire, would be nice. So it really is in the occupiers interest to warn us regardless of AFD.

[Mike Buckley]

Yes, it is in the occupiers interest to warn the FS. There are two solutions to this, first a letter from the FS re false alarms and the effect this may have on the mobilisation to the premise. Second so the crews have effected an entry and covered the place in water, that is their job and they have the authority of the Fire Services Act behind them.

I remember one premise where the keyholder lived a good distance away and in spite of numberous false alarms and requests for a more rapid arrival nothing happened. Until one night we thought we saw flickering inside and effected an entry through the posh front door. After that the alarm was fixed and the keyholder arrived almost before we did.

[messy]

Yes I can understand a forced entry (that's a risk you take when installing such a device) and yes I can understand committing a BA crew (if nothing else but to search for any burglars who have knocked themselves out in their panic) but 'squirt water'??

The clue is the smell. It is obviously theatrical type smoke and you can smell it from some distance. If that doesn't make the OIC stop and think, but instead the order is given to go ahead and flood the place, questions perhaps need to asked about his/her competence

[afterburner]

Right on Messy! this concept that fire crew splash water about in cold / cool smoke is (or was) wrong! Most firefighters seek a 'target' beforesquirting water everywhere. Forcing and entry however, remains a great challenge that most fire crew undertake with enthusiasm!