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.
Each year, DFES is committed to reducing the number of false fire alarms responded to.
False fire alarms occur when the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) responds to an alarm activation when there is no fire. False fire alarms cause community disruption, complacency, and business downtime due to evacuations, and divert responders away from genuine emergencies, potentially resulting in loss of life and property.
The Fire Brigades Act of 1942 mandates that DFES respond to a fire call. False fire alarms are classified into two types: those generated by Direct Brigade Alarms and those generated by privately monitored alarms.
In the fiscal year 2022/23, firefighters responded to more than 8,800 false fire alarm activations, which is equivalent to more than 24 false fire alarm responses per 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 wrongly charged a false fire alarm fee, or received an incorrect notification of attendance email, please complete and submit an application to waive a false fire alarm fee with any relevant supporting documentation within 21 days from the date on the invoice or email. This is in accordance with Section 36ZL (1)(d)(i) of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998.
Your application will be assessed, and you will be notified of the outcome in writing.
If you require assistance in implementing strategies to minimise false fire alarm activations speak to a registered and certified alarm installer and review the Managing False Fire Alarms factsheet here.
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Applications can ONLY be accepted from the owner, building manager or other authorised person.
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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.
In 2016 DFES implemented the false fire alarm fee as part of a larger initiative to reduce the number of false fire alarms that firefighters respond to. Reducing the number of false fire alarms will help with:
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.
In accordance with section 36ZL(1)(d) of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998, DFES has the power to charge a false fire alarm fee for responding to a false alarm.
In the fiscal year 2022/23, firefighters responded to more than 8,800 false fire alarm activations, which is equivalent to more than 24 false fire alarm responses per 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.
Property owners are responsible for ensuring that the fire alarm system and detectors are installed correctly, appropriately positioned, comply with the applicable Australian Standards (AS) and are routinely maintained in accordance with AS1851.
Additionally, property owners must ensure that the fire alarm system is adequate for the current floor plan, layout and purpose of the building.
Property owners/managers must ensure that the fire alarm system and detectors are adequately maintained and free of items which may cause a false alarm such as dust, cobwebs and insects.
If you believe you have been incorrectly charged a false fire fee or incorrect Notification of Attendance to a false fire alarm, owners, strata managers and authorised persons responsible for managing the fire alarm system, for the building can submit an Application to Waive a False Fire Alarm Fee, along with any supporting documentation within 21 days from the date on the invoice or notification email. This is in accordance with Section 36ZL(1)(d)(i) of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998.
The Application is available by clicking here.
If you experience difficulties submitting the online form please email falsefirealarms@dfes.wa.gov.au and provide your contact details.
To report suspicious persons or deliberate lighting of fires call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.
DFES Fire Investigation Analysis Unit
(08) 9482 1771