FIREFIGHTERS are working with students across Glasgow to drive down the number of unwanted fire alarm signals.

Unwanted signals – defined as any alarm signal other than a genuine fire or test signal – take up Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s time.

Figures show 333 unwanted signals in HMO (house in multiple occupation) premises in the city from April 2018 to March 2019.

This number is down by five from the previous year. However, more than half of the incidents were recorded in the Anderston, City and Yorkhill ward, where there is a large student population.

Calton saw 48 incidents while there were 38 in Partick East and Kelvindale and 31 in Hillhead.

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In True Student Accommodation, on Kelvinhaugh Street, unwanted signals rose from 26 last year to 45 while at University of Glasgow accommodation, on the same road, signals increased from 12 to 17.

Fresh Student Living, on Dunaskin Street, had 16 unwanted signals, up from seven.

At the University of Strathclyde halls on Rottenrow East, unwanted alarms dropped from 33 to eight. Jim Hymas, local senior officer for Glasgow City, said Strathclyde students had embraced engagement programmes.

He said: “Every year there’s a new batch of thousands of students, which means an educational programme every single year.”

Landlords for premises with five or more unwanted signals in three months receive a letter telling them to reduce the number of events.

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“Premises with high activity have also received dedicated engagement including fire safety presentations and bespoke leaflets in foreign languages,” a report, delivered by Mr Hymas, said. “Staff from Yorkhill Community Fire station have delivered engagement events focused at the Chinese students housed in accommodation at Kelvinhaugh Street.

“These presentations provide safety information on high heat cooking and how to avoid incidents.

“Further engagement sessions are planned through the coming year and will be bespoke to the specific problems being encountered within these premises.

“Reductions in unwanted signals frees up firefighters for more safety activities in local communities, whilst reducing road risk to other vehicles and pedestrians.”

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Councillors decided to share the report with the licensing committee, which hands out HMO licences to landlords.