A false alarm is when a person intentionally sends in a false report of a fire.
False alarms kill.
It has been documented by numerous fire agencies around the country that a number of fire departments responding to false alarms have been involved in accidents while responding to such reports, which resulted in firefighters being killed or injured, and vehicles and equipment damaged. Or they may be delayed in responding to a real emergency where lives are at stake. False alarms also create apathy towards real fire alarms, causing occupants to not take alarm seriously. When a foreign object or substance enters the inner chamber of a smoke detector, it activates the detector's sensor, which sends a signal to the fire alarm control panel and sets off the fire alarm. However, a smoke detector cannot distinguish the differences in smoke, hair spray, dust, insects, and water.