Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has a commitment to reducing the number of false alarms from Automatic Fire Alarm (AFA) systems. These false alarms, which occur when there is no actual fire or emergency, can lead to complacency towards genuine alarms and divert valuable resources from real emergencies.
In 2023, FRNSW responded to approximately 50,000 AFA activations, with about 98% of these being false alarms. To address this issue, FRNSW imposes fines to encourage building owners and managers to maintain their AFA systems properly. The fine for a false alarm in NSW is $1,600.
False Alarms: do they cost you?
However, not all of these alarms are chargeable. For instance, alarms triggered by natural disasters or other uncontrollable events are exempt from fines. Additionally, there are leniencies in place:
- One false alarm within a 60-day period will not be charged.
- Subsequent false alarms within 60 days of the first alarm will be charged.
- A 24-hour leniency period applies, where only the first alarm will be charged if multiple false alarms occur within that period.
These measures aim to ensure the effective management of AFA systems. As an outcome, this should reduce the frequency of false alarms and ensure that FRNSW resources are available for genuine emergencies.
For more information, building owners and managers can contact the FRNSW Fire Safety Compliance Unit.
REDMEN: your fire alarm solution provider
REDMEN Fire Protection Management is a NSW based fire protection provider. We know the industry inside and out. With offices in Sydney, Newcastle and the NSW Central Coast, we have hundreds of years of combined experience in fire protection. We have tracked the evolution of fire standards and legislation, and even been instrumental in their development.
Just contact us today and we can set up an appointment today and we will be able to set your mind at ease.
