When a fire breaks out in a managed building, residents trust that smoke alarms will alert them to danger. But in hundreds of cases across England, that warning never came.
Analysis by Drax Technology found that nearly 500 fires occurred in medium and high-rise flats over the past year where smoke alarms were present but did not activate.
The findings, based on official Fire and Rescue Service data, highlight a serious risk for professionally managed housing and a pressing need for more robust monitoring and maintenance of life safety systems.
When smoke alarms don’t activate
Drax Technology’s analysis found that between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, 443 fires broke out in flats of four storeys and above where alarms failed to activate, despite being installed.
Key findings include:
44 incidents resulted in at least one fatality or casualty.
Most alarms were mains powered, yet 17 were found with missing or defective batteries.
21 alarms were faulty or incorrectly installed.
Cooking appliances were the most common cause, with ovens, toasters, and microwaves leading the list.
In around half the cases, four or more fire engines attended the scene.
The findings raise serious questions for professionally managed housing sectors, where safety standards and regulatory compliance are both high.
The hidden risks of silent alarms
In many cases, the alarms didn’t activate simply because the fire hadn’t reached them or they were positioned outside the system’s coverage zone. But someone still had to call emergency services, and lives were still at stake.
An installed alarm is not necessarily a working one. Without proper installation, regular maintenance, and remote monitoring, even compliant systems can fail.
Why real-time monitoring matters
A smoke alarm that doesn’t work, or is installed incorrectly, is as dangerous as having no alarm at all. Fire alarm systems can only protect people if they’re properly maintained, tested, and monitored in real time.
Digital systems capable of live event tracking and remote fault detection are transforming how building managers can stay compliant and protect residents.
With real-time monitoring and instant fault detection, issues can be identified and resolved long before they put lives at risk. In fire safety, there’s no room for guesswork, visibility is everything.
Building confidence through data
The research reinforces Drax Technology’s mission to give building managers and safety teams the tools to act quickly, stay compliant, and prevent avoidable failures.
Through solutions like SafeVue, Drax provides:
Centralised visibility across multiple buildings and alarm systems
Automated testing schedules and digital record-keeping
Instant alerts for faults or non-compliance
Improved accuracy and reduced false alarms
Stronger accountability and faster response times
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