Why You Should Never Reset a Fire Alarm Before the Fire Department Arrives

Guilford Fire Department Warns of Serious Risks When Fire Alarms Are Reset Without Investigation

Never Reset A Fire Alarm

Guilford, CT — The Guilford Fire Department is urging all business owners and residents to refrain from resetting fire alarm systems before the fire department has arrived and completed a full investigation. This warning comes in response to a troubling pattern observed in various communities across Connecticut and the United States, where early alarm resets have led to significant property damage, insurance complications, and in some cases, life-threatening situations.

Fire alarm systems are installed to protect lives and property. When an alarm is activated, it signals a possible emergency that must be evaluated by trained professionals. Resetting or silencing the system before responders can investigate compromises the purpose of the alarm and places everyone inside the building at risk. Firefighters have responded to buildings where alarms had been reset without any evaluation, only to discover smoldering fires inside walls, electrical issues, or smoke conditions that were not visible from the outside. These hidden threats are often the most dangerous because they continue to grow unnoticed once the alarm has been shut off.

The concern is not hypothetical. Across the country, fire departments have documented incidents where businesses dismissed alarms as false and took it upon themselves to silence them, only for fires to be discovered later. One notable case occurred at a manufacturing facility where the alarm was reset by management. Several hours later, a fire that had originated in a piece of machinery spread through the production floor, causing substantial structural damage and a multi-day business interruption. Fire investigators later determined the original alarm likely detected the early stages of the incident. The loss was made worse by the delay in reporting, and the insurance carrier significantly reduced the reimbursement because the system was tampered with.

Closer to home, a recent event in North Haven highlights the local risk. A commercial building’s alarm system was activated after a smoke condition developed from an electrical panel. Instead of waiting for the fire department, the building staff reset the panel and resumed operations. When the fire department arrived—alerted by a separate call—the crews found an active electrical fire that had spread behind the wall. The decision to reset the alarm delayed the emergency response and put building occupants at significant risk. The financial impact on the property owner was considerable, and the business experienced major service disruption.

Resetting an alarm before firefighters arrive not only endangers lives but also opens up building owners and managers to legal and financial liability. Many commercial insurance policies contain language that restricts coverage if a fire protection system is intentionally disabled or reset without authorization. This means a business that resets an alarm on its own and later suffers fire damage could be denied coverage entirely. In addition, fire code violations may be issued, and depending on the circumstances, civil or even criminal penalties could follow. In a worst-case scenario where someone is injured or killed because of a suppressed alarm, lawsuits and investigations would almost certainly focus on the decision to interfere with the system.

It is important to recognize that modern fire detection systems are highly sensitive by design. They are intended to trigger at the earliest sign of trouble, even before there is visible smoke or flame. This early detection saves lives. But when alarms are reset or silenced without understanding the reason for activation, it undermines the effectiveness of the entire system. Fire departments rely on active alarm signals to respond quickly and accurately. If the system is cleared before they arrive, valuable time is lost, and responders are put at a disadvantage.

The Guilford Fire Department wants to make it absolutely clear: no one should ever reset a fire alarm panel after activation unless instructed to do so by the fire department or by a licensed fire alarm contractor after a confirmed false alarm. When an alarm goes off, call 911 immediately and evacuate the building if required. Let firefighters investigate the cause and ensure the building is safe before any system is cleared or reset. This applies not only to commercial buildings, but to residential complexes, schools, churches, and any property with an alarm system.

This is not a matter of inconvenience or overreaction. It is about protecting people and property. A few minutes of disruption are a small price to pay compared to the consequences of a fire that goes undetected due to a prematurely silenced alarm. In fire protection, early detection is everything. The alarm system is your first line of defense, and every activation must be taken seriously.

Business owners should ensure their staff are properly trained on alarm protocols and know who to call when a system is triggered. Posting clear instructions near alarm panels and including alarm response steps in employee training programs can help prevent dangerous decisions made in the heat of the moment. Fire alarm vendors and contractors should also reinforce this message during system installations and annual inspections.

The Guilford Fire Department remains committed to working with our community to uphold safety and code compliance. We ask for your continued cooperation in this matter and encourage anyone with questions about fire alarm systems or proper procedures to contact us directly. Fire safety is a shared responsibility.