A COUNCIL headquarters has topped the list for most false fire alarms ahead of a move to start charging for call outs.

Cleveland Fire Authority is expected to agree to a new policy tomorrow, which would see costs recovered from organisations and companies for crews being sent out to false alarms.

And reports have revealed Middlesbrough Town Hall and the Municipal Buildings have clocked the worst record for the problem – with 16 unwanted call outs in 2019/20.

The Riverside Stadium also featured on the list of those “performing most poorly” with 10 false alarms between April 2019 and April this year.

The coalition Government introduced new rules which allowed fire brigades to recoup costs when reports of fire are false, the problem keeps happening, and they’re a result of equipment malfunctioning, or being installed incorrectly.

A report for Friday’s meeting revealed the fire authority would have been able to charge for 40 false alarms last year – which would have brought in an extra £25,875.

Officials said the cost recovery charge was “not a fund raising exercise” and would be “strictly controlled”.

A public consultation by the authority show the move received “strong support” from the community with more than 90 per cent of those responding backing charges alongside 68 per cent of businesses.

The report said there had been “significant improvements” in the number of false alarms across Cleveland with a 39 per cent fall in the past five years.

However, officials revealed there had still been 503 cases where appliances had to be sent out where there wasn’t a problem last year – pointing to the number of negative impacts this had.

The report added: “The organisations that experience them will lose productivity while the alarm is investigated – and the brigade mobilises appliances which could otherwise be engaged in prevention and protection activities.

“The community and other road users are also put at greater risk as a result of our mobilisation under blue lights.”

False alarm sites 2019/20

Municipal buildings, Albert Road/Corporation Road – 16 callouts

Melrose House, Melrose Street, Middlesbrough – 11 callouts

The Riverside Stadium – 10 callouts

Exwold Technology, Brenda Road, Hartlepool – 9 callouts

Fine Organics, Seal Sands, Billingham – 6 callouts

Stank House Farm, Kilton Lane, Saltburn – 6 callouts

When it came to the poor performance of Middlesbrough Council’s HQ, an authority spokesman said the town hall was grade II listed – and had a large complex of rooms and spaces with smoke detectors.

“Following a number of false activations we have implemented remedial works to reduce the number of unwanted alarms,” he added.

“We continue to work on reducing these through regular tests and inspections, sealing entry points to the roof space and ensuring contractors isolate detectors as appropriate.”

Councillors will meet virtually to vote on the policy on Friday morning (September 25)