FOI release

Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS)

Some or all of the information requested was not provided because we determined that the cost to do so would exceed the appropriate limit.

Case reference FOI2026/03915

Received 24 February 2026

Published 20 August 2026

Request

I would like to request the following information for the period 1 January 2023 - 31 December 2025:

1. Total number of Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS)

2. Number attributed to kitchen appliances

3. Number attributed to toasters specifically

4. Number of evacuations triggered by kitchen-related alarms

5. Estimated cost of fire service call-outs related to kitchen appliance incidents

6. Any internal risk assessments referencing kitchen appliance-related fire signals If possible, please provide the data in spreadsheet format.

Response

I would like to request the following information for the period 1 January 2023 - 31 December 2025:

1. Total number of Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS)

 

All 429

2. Number attributed to kitchen appliances

 

(Cooking Related Fumes and Steam + Toasters) 59

3. Number attributed to toasters specifically

 

(Toasters) 35

4. Number of evacuations triggered by kitchen-related alarms

 

We are refusing this under section 12 of FOIA, as this question exceeds the 18-hour ruling.

 

This will require manual review of each incident, and a conservative calculation would be circa 3-5mins per incident to undertake the reference search, open and review each incident x 429 incidents = 21.45hours - 35.75hours.

5. Estimated cost of fire service call-outs related to kitchen appliance incidents

 

Data not held. The Fire and Rescue Service is external to the OUH and works under the County Council which for our Headington sites is Oxfordshire County Council.

 

Please FOI County Council directly.

6. Any internal risk assessments referencing kitchen appliance-related fire signals

 

OUH does not hold specific risk assessments that reference "kitchen appliance-related fire signals" as a standalone category. However, kitchen appliances are routinely considered within fire risk assessments where they are present, and the associated fire risks and control measures are addressed as part of the wider fire risk assessment process. Recognised standard design principles are applied during any new works or refurbishment works in kitchen areas to ensure the fire alarm detection is appropriate for the activity.

 

 

Documents

There are no documents for this release.

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