Private landlords who have found themselves called out to deal with fire alarms set off by tenants burning toast could welcome the concept of a hush button.
The buttons are in use in Boatman's Court, a block of student accommodation at the University of Central Lancashire, giving tenants the chance to override the fire alarms, reports Approved Business.
At any point, pressing the button will temporarily switch off the alarms in one room, flat or other localised zone.
The alarm comes back on after 15 minutes, or when the button is pressed a second time.
Meanwhile, should smoke be produced innocuously - through burnt toast or a snuffed candle - the resident can hit their hush button to deactivate the alarm immediately.
For private landlords, this could mean an end to false alarms - while the system is designed to compensate for being deactivated when a real fire is occurring.
Graeme Sharples, owner and manager of Boatman's Court, says: "To any building manager, the advantages of this are obvious - especially in a place housing young people."
Written by Mark Garner
