Fire can have a devastating toll on businesses, destroying livelihoods and negatively impacting the community. They can also cause significant loss of infrastructure, income, productivity and stock. In devastating instances loss of life, injury, unemployment and bankruptcy can be the result of a fire.
It is important steps are taken to maintain a safe workplace and mitigate the risk of fire in your business. Some ways Businesses can protect themselves from fire include:
Having a safety culture. Simple precautions can prevent many accidental fires. Accidents and neglect, poor housekeeping, discarded cigarettes, hot work equipment, chemicals or unsafe work practices can all have tragic consequences.
Preparing and practicing an emergency evacuation plan. If your business is near bushland, you should also prepare and plan for the risk of bushfire. As a business owner or operator YOU are responsible for ensuring appropriate evacuation plans are in place and practiced, exit paths are clearly marked and clear of obstructions and suitable fire detection or containment equipment is installed and maintained.
Maintaining site security, especially after work hours. Insecure, vacant or easily accessed premises may become a target for the opportunistic arsonist. An arsonist can be motivated by many factors including business rivalry, spite/revenge, vandalism, crime concealment or financial reward.
Installing suitable fire alarm systems and fire extinguishers, and providing fire safety training to staff.
DFES is committed to reducing the number of false fire alarms attended to each year.
A false fire alarm is when DFES attends a premises in response to an alarm where there is no fire. False fire alarms disrupt the community; cause complacency and business down time due to evacuations, and divert responders away from genuine emergencies, which could potentially lead to loss of life and property.
DFES is legally required by the Fire Brigades Act 1942 to attend to a call of fire. False fire alarms can be broken down into two groups: those that are Direct Brigade Alarms (DBAs) and those that are generated by privately monitored alarms.
In the 2019/20 financial year, firefighters responded to over 8,500 false fire alarm activations, which equates to approximately 23 false fire alarm attendances each day.
Ensure your fire alarm system is tested and maintained by a recognised fire alarm technician and to the relevant Australian Standards. It is important all detectors are:
Some detectors are extremely sensitive; however some simple steps can be taken to assist in reducing the number of false fire alarms occurring, for example:
If you believe you have been incorrectly charged a fee for an attendance to a false fire alarm, please complete the application to waive a false fire alarm (PDF) and submit along with any supporting documentation to DFES within 21 days from the date that appears on the false fire alarm fee invoice (see conditions below). This is in accordance with Section 36ZL(1)(d)(i) Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998.
Your application will be assessed and you will be informed in writing of the outcome via the email address or mailing address provided on the application.
If you require assistance in implementing strategies to minimise false fire alarm activations, visit our Smoke Alarms page for more information or speak to a registered and certified alarm installer.
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falsefirealarms@dfes.wa.gov.au
False Fire Alarm Administrator
Department of Fire and Emergency Services
GPO Box P1174 PERTH WA 6844
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False Fire Alarm Administrator
(08) 9395 9823 or
falsefirealarms@dfes.wa.gov.au
A false fire alarm is when the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) is alerted to attend a premises in response to an alarm where there is no fire.
The fee is part of an overall DFES strategy to minimise the number of false fire alarms attended by firefighters. Reducing the number of false fire alarms will help to resolve the following problems:
The aim of introducing the fee is to encourage the owners and occupants to take appropriate steps to avoid false fire alarm activations occurring at their premises. Owners and occupants need to understand their responsibilities where a monitored fire alarm system is installed within their premises.
As of 1 August 2021 the fee is $1337 per false fire alarm attendance.
If this occurs, the attendances will only be calculated as one (1) attendance to allow owners/occupiers time to rectify the issues causing the false fire alarms. (a 24 hour period is calculated from midnight to midnight)
The false fire alarm fee will apply after the third (3rd) false fire alarm attendance to a premises in a financial year (1 July to 30 June). DFES will issue an invoice upon the fourth (4th) false fire alarm attendance and every false fire alarm attendance thereafter.
Under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998, DFES is required to issue the invoice to the owner or occupant of the premises depending on the circumstances of the alarm.
You will need to contact DFES and provide the correct details as well as inform the alarm monitoring company of the change. Fire Alarm Monitoring Services can be contacted by calling 1300 793 722 or by email wacsc@chubb.com.au.
The power to charge a fee for the attendance in response to a false fire alarm exists under section 36ZL(1)(d) of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998.
In the 2019-20 financial year, firefighters responded to over 8500 false fire alarm activations. This equates to approximately 22 false fire alarm attendances each day.
No, Western Australia was the last State/Territory to introduce a false fire alarm fee. All other States/Territories within Australia have charged for false fire alarm attendances for many years.
The owner is responsible for ensuring the fire alarm system and detectors are correctly installed, comply with relevant Australian Standards (AS) and are suitably placed and regularly maintained in accordance AS1851.
The owner must also ensure the fire alarm systems are sufficient and adequate to the current floor plan, layout and purpose of the premises.
The occupier must also ensure the fire alarm system and detectors are adequately maintained and free of items which may cause a false fire alarm such as cobwebs, dust and insects.
If you believe you have been incorrectly charged a fee for an attendance to a false fire alarm, owners and occupants are able to lodge an Application to Waive a False Fire Alarm Fee, for DFES to reconsider the fee. The application is available by clicking here and can be submitted via: email to: falsefirealarms@dfes.wa.gov.au
Postal Mail:
The False Fire Alarm Administrator
Department of Fire and Emergency Services
PO Box 1174
PERTH WA 6844
On-Billing
DFES has no control over the practices adopted by the owner of premises in relation to on-billing costs for false fire alarms.
DFES does not support forwarding false fire alarm fees onto a third party. Should this occur, it is a private matter between the two parties.
To report suspicious persons or deliberate lighting of fires call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.
DFES Fire Investigation Analysis Unit
(08) 9482 1771