Direct Brigade Alarm - Department of Fire and Emergency Services

Fire alarm monitoring

In Western Australia, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) provides a fire alarm monitoring network, known as the Direct Brigade Alarm (DBA).

This service is provided to premises prescribed under the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and relevant Australian Standards that require a direct data link to a fire brigade dispatch centre, known as the Communication Centre (ComCen). Additionally, the service is available to building owners who require an autonomous and automatic fire brigade response upon alarm activation of the Fire Detection and Alarm System (FDAS).

The network is owned and operated by DFES, with Customer Service Centre (CSC), administration, and certain monitoring requirements subcontracted to Chubb Fire & Security Pty Ltd, trading as Fire Alarm Monitoring Services (FAMS). FAMS operates the CSC, available 24/7, and monitors the network and customers’ Fire Indicator Panel (FIP), which is fitted with a DFES Alarm Signalling Equipment (ASE) device. Upon alarm activation, the ASE transmits the alarm signal directly to the ComCen for processing and appliance turnout. Fault signals and non-brigade alarms (secondary alarms) for tanks, pumps and other events are processed by CSC.

FAMS is responsible for:

Monitoring
- Outbound event notification
- Inbound customer and technical support
Customer Service
- New Connections
- Disconnections
- DBA Changes (including owner/ biller changes)
- Billing and Debt Recovery
- Equipment management and warranty

In all operations, FAMS acts on behalf of DFES, and there is a complete commercial separation between FAMS and the Chubb Fire & Security Pty Ltd business units. This ensures that Chubb has no conflict of interest and guarantees the delivery of an independent service on behalf of DFES.

For more information about this service or to get your FDAS connected, please refer to the Contacts section.

Premises requiring DBA

The following premises require fire alarm monitoring in accordance with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and relevant Australian Standards. Additionally, DBA could be provided to support the design requirements or the Permit Authority requirement, and in some cases, may be required under the Insurance Policy.

Building

Cases

Notes / Examples

Characteristics

Building with an effective height of more than 25m

Required to be provided with AS 2118 Part 1 & 6 sprinkler system and zone pressurisation system

A building with automatic fire sprinkler system as per AS 2118 Part 1, 4 & 6

AS 2118 Part 1 – automatic fire sprinkler systems
AS 2118 Part 4 – sprinkler protection for accommodation buildings not exceeding 4 storeys in height (as applicable ref: BCA S18C3 System requirements)
AS 2118 Part 6 – combined sprinkler and hydrant systems
Class 2 and 3 buildings not more than 25 m in effective height with a rise in storeys of 4 or more,
Class 7a part of building with more than 40 car bays
Large Isolated Buildings

A building with smoke detection in accordance with S20C6 smoke detection for smoke control systems provided to activate—

a smoke exhaust system in accordance with Specification 21; or
smoke-and-heat vents in accordance with Specification 22

Class 9b nightclub, discotheque or the like
Class 9b theatres, public or exhibition halls

A fire detection alarm system (FDAS) complying with AS 1670.1

Class 3 – a smoke detection system –
- is more than 2 storeys above ground level; or
- accommodates more than 20 residents within the residential part of a school, accommodation for the aged, children or people with a disability
Class 9a – accommodates more than 20 patients
Class 9c – aged care facility provided with smoke detection system
Large Isolated Buildings

Additional Design Requirements

Performance solution(s) requiring AS1670.3 fire alarm monitoring

Omission of fire pumps and tanks (not always)
Significant fire load
Complicated egress strategy
Vulnerable occupants

AS 1670.3 fire alarm monitoring required by the Permit Authority or Insurance

Required under Permit Authority Occupancy Permit
Required under Insurance Policy
Where building owners or occupants require an automatic, autonomous response by the fire brigade to AS 1670.1 fire detection alarm system activation

False fire alarms

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 2023/24, firefighters responded to more than 8,600 false fire alarm activations, which is equivalent to more than 23 false fire alarm responses per day.

False fire alarm fee - fact sheet (PDF - 1.1mb) Managing false fire alarms - fact sheet (PDF - 565kb)

Application to waive a false fire alarm fee

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.