Request ID: FOI-2625-2122 Date published: 31 March 2022
You asked
I would like to know
1) how many fire alarms/evacuation alarms there have been in the past twelve months at Custom House Crossrail Station (including calls for 'Inspector Sands' and the time of the day these have occurred.
2) for those who were out of hours I would like to know for how long these alarms were ongoing, and how long it took each time for an engineer to attend.
3) information on any plans for remote deactivation that would make an engineer attending unnecessary.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-2625-2122
Thank you for your request received on 14 February 2022 asking for information about evacuation alarms at Custom House Station.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require. You asked:
1) How many fire alarms/evacuation alarms there have been in the past twelve months at Custom House Crossrail Station (including calls for 'Inspector Sands' and the time of the day these have occurred
Please find attached a list of unplanned fire alarms/evacuation alarms. We have weekly statutory fire alarm tests and the staff have been undergoing training which necessitates putting the panel into ‘Inspector Sands’ and Evacuation announcements on multiple occasions every week.
2) For those who were out of hours I would like to know for how long these alarms were ongoing, and how long it took each time for an engineer to attend
There were two instances of out of hour calls which required an engineer to attend. Please see details below:
Date: 19/03/2021 Alarm activated 00:39 Engineer dispatched at 01:19 Engineer arrived on site 01:33 Fault identified at 02:09 Alarm silenced and reset 02:17
This alarm was caused by maintenance work which accidently triggered the full evacuation process. The issue appeared to be a faulty relay on the public announcement voice activated (PAVA) system which would not allow the system to be silenced and reset.
Date: 14/02/2022 Alarm activated 01:40 Numerous attempts were made to reset 02:55 fault reported to control centre 03:22 engineer arrived on site 03:25 alarm silenced and reset
London Fire Brigade investigation found lift was being used by members of the public continually smoking inside.
3) Information on any plans for remote deactivation that would make an engineer attending unnecessary
There are no plans for remote deactivation as the fault which required an engineer has now been fixed.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please feel free to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
