BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY FIRE

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:

Safety culture
Emergency evacuation plan
Site security
Staff training

False fire alarms

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.

False fire alarm fee - fact sheet (PDF - 1.1mb) Managing false fire alarms - fact sheet (PDF - 565kb)
The main causes of false fire alarms
Special notes for building owners
Tips to reduce false fire alarms

Application to waive a false fire alarm fee

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.

Step 1

Fill out the application form

Download

Step 2

Submit application within 21 days from the invoice date.

falsefirealarms@dfes.wa.gov.au

False Fire Alarm Administrator
Department of Fire and Emergency Services
GPO Box P1174 PERTH WA 6844

Step 3

Wait for a reply or follow up

False Fire Alarm Administrator
(08) 9395 9823 or
falsefirealarms@dfes.wa.gov.au

Information to include
Conditions of the application

FAQ's

What is a false fire alarm?
Why has DFES introduced a fee for attending to false fire alarms?
What is the aim of introducing the fee?
How much is the fee?
What happens if multiple attendances occur within the same 24 hour period?
When will DFES apply the false fire alarm fee?
Who will receive the invoice?
What if I receive an invoice and I’m not the correct/current owner or occupant of the premises?
What power does DFES have to charge for an attendance to a false fire alarm?
How frequently do false fire alarms occur?
Is Western Australia the only State that charges a fee for attending to false fire alarms?
Whose responsibility is it to maintain a fire alarm system?
What if I don’t agree with an invoice I’ve received?

How to stay informed

To report suspicious persons or deliberate lighting of fires call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.

More Information

Fire hydrant booster test

Request fire hydrant booster test – building plan assessment, pre-test site inspections and booster tests.

Learn more

Fire system impairment

Lodge fire system impairment notification – fire safety system offline for maintenance and repairs.

Learn more

Fire alarm monitoring Services

DFES provides a protected premises fire alarm monitoring network, known as the Direct Brigade Alarm (DBA).

Learn more

Spray booth fires

Spray booth fires can be catastrophic and deadly, destroying equipment, buildings.

Learn more

Building plan assessment

Building plan assessments for compliance with fire safety requirements.

Learn more