Inspector Sands

"Inspector Sands" is a code phrase used by public transport authorities in the United Kingdom, including Network Rail and London Underground, to alert staff to a fire alarm without needing to evacuate the station.

The message audio file is usually stored as the primary standard emergency announcement on the station PA/VA system.

The message may indicate that a single fire alarm call point in a public area has been activated and which needs to be corroborated by a station staff member before a decision is made whether to evacuate the whole station.

On some railway stations the announcement is also triggered during the routine testing of alarm systems.

The code phrase "Mr Sands" was used in theatres during the late 19th and early 20th centuries to let the staff know that there was a fire backstage.