False Alarm

During my time at DFES, I was able to view the incident log as part of my role. A large proportion of the calls were classed as False DBA or Direct Brigade Alarms that had been activated primarily through thoughtless or irresponsible action, as well as alarms being activated because of poor maintenance. They are sometimes referred to as Automatic Fire Alarms (AFA).

DBA systems are primarily found in buildings that house a mass group of people, such as apartments, hospitals, hotels and Universities.

In Western Australia there are moves to introduce a call out fee for premises that have a large number of DBA false alarms. WA Firefighters wasted more than 31,000 hours attending false alarms last year at a cost of $10 million, with a University and Hotel the worst offenders.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Wayne Gregson revealed this week that fire crews responded to more than 30,000 false alarms in the past three years, potentially diverting them from genuine emergencies and putting lives at risk. More than 2500 false alarms in the Perth CBD inconvenienced city workers and tied up emergency responders at Perth Fire Station, the State’s busiest.

Soon, a $750 fee will be imposed on businesses or homes that cause a false fire alarm. Based on last year’s figures, the fees would total $7.8 million.

In a trial last month, premises subject to false fire alarms received a warning that a fee system would be introduced. The fee would bring WA into line with other states.

Original article can be found here

Most common causes of false alarms are:

• Poor building maintenance

• AFA System malfunctions

• Burnt toast

• Cooking fumes

• Steam

• Aerosols sprays

• Cigarettes/candles

• Workmen/cleaners

• Dirty smoke detectors

• ‘Break Glass’ alarm damage

Here are some of the fees for other States:

New South Wales

The NSW Fire Brigades ACT 1989, Sect 42 allows FRNSW to charge for attending false alarm call-outs to monitored AFA systems. This charge is intended to motivate building owners and managers to be continually pro-active in managing their AFA systems and to ensure that they are properly maintained.

From 1 July 2013 the false alarm charge is $1250.

In 2012 NSW had 46,000 AFA's. 96% of these were unwanted.

AFA account for 35% of the total call outs overall.

More details http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=77

South Australia

On average they attend approximately 8,000 call outs a year with the average fee charged around $858.00.

More information here: http://www.mfs.sa.gov.au/site/fire_alarms/mfs_monitored/questions_answers_mfs_monitored.jsp

Queensland

QLD did not state how many they attend each year, just that it has increased significantly in recent years. The call out fee for the 2013-2014 financial year was $1092.95.

It is important to note that the amount charged does not cover the actual costs incurred by QFES for attendance at any unwanted alarm activation. The charge recovers less than 25 percent of the estimated full cost of attending unwanted alarm activation.

More details here https://www.fire.qld.gov.au/buildingsafety/unwanted/alarmcharging.asp

Northern Territory

Unwanted Alarm charge is $854.00 per response

More information here

Victoria

In this State the invoice is issued directly and I found it very difficult to find a cost - so if anyone can help me with this let me know...

Section 32D of the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Act (Vic) 1958 sets out the terms for the legitimate fees for the attendance to a false alarm from an automatic fire alarm system.

AFAC have a brochure explaining how best to minimise call outs