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 was 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 was to encourage 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.
From 1 August 2021, the fee will increase to $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 the 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 charge for false fire alarm attendances and have done so for many years.
The owner of the premises is responsible for ensuring the fire alarm system and detectors are correctly installed, comply with relevant Australian Standards (AS), suitably placed and regularly maintained in accordance AS1851.
The owner must also ensure fire alarm systems are sufficient and adequate to the current floor plan, layout and purpose of the premises.
The occupier of the premises 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
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.
