False alarms FAQ

A false alarm is the activation of an automatic fire alarm system that is caused by reasons other than fire. An alarm is only deemed as a false alarm after Fire Rescue Victoria has attended the scene and determined the nature of the alarm. Fire Rescue Victoria works with the community to reduce the occurrence of false alarms.

Under the Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958(opens in a new window) (Vic) Fire Rescue Victoria is obligated by law to respond to every notification of a fire, and this includes fire alarm activations.

There are many causes of false alarms, with the following being some of the more common:

• Insufficient or poor building maintenance.
  
• Smoke resulting from cooking activities or burning food (such as toasters).
  
• Steam from showers, cleaning, and cooking.
  
• Aerosols such as deodorant and insect spray.
  
• Smoke and fumes from cigarettes, vaping, candles, and incense.
  
• Maintenance works on buildings that create dust or fumes.
  
• Malicious or accidental manual call point or break glass alarm activations.
  
• Detectors in areas not suited for their purpose (i.e. smoke detectors in kitchens).
  
• Poor ventilation.
  
• Insect infestations (particularly in larger factory premises).

If you have repeated false alarms, you should:

• Contact your fire alarm service provider: They can help diagnose the problem and recommend appropriate solutions.
  
• Investigate system design changes: Work with a fire engineer or maintenance professional to identify potential improvements to the fire alarm system.
  
• Obtain necessary approvals: Ensure that any changes to the system are approved by a registered building surveyor.
  
• Keep records: Document all interactions with your service provider, including any repairs or replacements made. This information will be useful in the future.
  

To prevent repeated false alarms, you should:

• Regularly maintain your fire alarm system: This includes testing devices, cleaning components, and inspecting for damage.
  
• Address issues promptly: If you notice a device is triggering false alarms, take immediate steps to resolve the problem.
  
• Consider upgrading your system: Older systems may be more prone to false alarms. Upgrading to a newer system can help improve reliability.
  
• Effective management of site: Appoint a responsible person to oversee the management of the fire alarm system.
  
• Procedures for contractors/visitors: It may be necessary to isolate specific zones or circuits prior to work commencing.
  
• Education and Training: False alarm prevention and understanding automatic monitored alarms should be part of induction processes for all building occupants.
  

The consequences of repeated false alarms can consist of:

• Disruption:
  False alarms can disrupt your business operations and cause:
  • Unnecessary stress to building occupants and surrounding inhabitants.
  • Loss of workplace productivity.
    
• Safety:
  • Repeated activations can cause complacency with occupants resulting in noncompliance with evacuation procedures.
  • Response time to real emergencies can be delayed through attendance at false alarms.
  • Vehicles attending to emergency response put public and firefighters at increased risk of accident or injury.
    
• Financial:
  • You may be charged attendance fees by Fire Rescue Victoria.
  • Repeated alarms can result in additional costs.

The following professionals can assist with false alarm issues:

• Maintenance professional: A qualified maintenance professional can ensure your system is properly maintained.
  
• Fire engineer: A fire engineer can assess your system and recommend improvements.
  
• Registered building surveyor: Any significant system changes may require approval from a registered building surveyor.
  
• Fire Rescue Victoria: If you believe there to be a fire safety issue at the site, you can report a safety issue via the online reporting form(opens in a new window) and the Building Inspections and Compliance team will assess if an inspection is required or for anything further, please contact the Alarm Assessment & Engagement department.

You may be charged a fee when your fire alarm system generates a false alarm, depending whether the alarm is assessed as preventable or foreseeable. To avoid charges, stakeholders must show evidence that they are taking all reasonable steps to address the underlying issues causing the false alarm.

Important to note, an officer on site attending to an alarm cannot advise if a false alarm will be charged or not. This decision is made by the Alarm Assessment & Engagement department, who will take into consideration the officer’s report, site history, submission if provided and any other relevant information.

When issued a false alarm charge you will receive a digital invoice which will consist of a table such as the below:

• Item: referring to 'line item', 1, 2, 3 etc.
  
• Description:
  • Appliance refers to truck.
  • The following code (e.g. P2A) refers to Pumper 2A. Pumper is the type of fire truck and 2A is the fire station and truck designation.
    
• SU: refers to sales unit.
  
• EA: refers to EACH meaning each appliance/truck.
  
• Net Value: The price per appliance/truck. Each appliance is charged at the (2025/2026) rate of $657 per truck per 15 minutes under the Act.

If you believe the false alarm was not preventable or foreseeable you can provide evidence to support your claim in a submission when requested by Fire Rescue Victoria. This may include information about recent system upgrades, maintenance history, or any other relevant factors.

Non-compliance with the Australian standard (AS1851)(opens in a new window) can result in:

• Fines and penalties: Regulatory authorities may impose fines for violations of fire safety regulations.
  
• Increased insurance premiums: Sites with poor fire safety records may face higher insurance costs.
  
• Legal liability: In the event of a fire or other emergency, a property owner may be held liable if isolations contributed to the incident.

For further information about an incident that occurred, please contact Fire Rescue Victoria's Freedom of Information Officer via email or call 1300 367 617 during business hours.

A submission is an opportunity to provide evidence of preventative measures that have been undertaken prior to the offending false alarm. The submission will be requested, by the Alarm Assessment & Engagement department, during the false alarm assessment process. Stakeholders will be given 14 days to provide a submission or can request an extension of time.

NOTE: Submitting a submission does not mean you will not be charged. This will depend on the outcome of the assessment process. The benefit of a submission is the information in the submission will be taken into consideration during the assessment process, opting for a more favourable outcome.

Records that should be kept that will assist your submission are:

• Receipts: Receipts of proactive works undertaken to reduce false alarms.
  
• Maintenance records: Maintain records of regular maintenance and cleaning of the fire alarm system to the Australian standard (AS1851)(opens in a new window). The submission will request three months of maintenance records.
  
• Correspondence: Keep copies of any correspondence with fire authorities or other relevant parties.

Yes, a false alarm fee can be appealed with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)(opens in a new window) by lodging an application within 28 days from receiving notice of charge/invoice.

AS1851(opens in a new window) is the Australian Standard for fire protection systems. It outlines the requirements for the design, installation, testing, and maintenance of fire protection systems.

Maintenance records provide evidence that the system is being maintained according to AS1851(opens in a new window). Showing a consistent history of site compliance assists Fire Rescue Victoria in determining whether the false alarm was preventable or foreseeable.

Fire Rescue Victoria requires maintenance records, for the three months prior to the date of the false alarm. The opportunity to submit a submission will be given, providing 14 days to provide a submission, or request an extension of time.

The Australian Standard requires that maintenance and servicing records are available for inspection at the location of your fire protection system. Common locations are within the Fire Indicator Panel (FIP) or Fire Control Room.

Additionally, many maintenance companies hold digital copies of these records which can be provided upon request. Maintenance documents can be provided digitally as PDFs or scans of hard copies. Please note, links to maintenance documents will not be accepted due to security and firewall protocols.

If you cannot find your maintenance records, you should contact the company that maintains your fire protection system and request a copy.

If you cannot provide the required maintenance records within the 14-day submission period, an extension of time can be requested. If maintenance records are not received either on time or by extended period, Fire Rescue Victoria will proceed to assess the false alarm with the information available at the time.

• Range of expertise: Companies vary in skills and experience.
  
• Get multiple quotes: Fire Rescue Victoria suggests obtaining several quotes/opinions before engaging a maintenance company.
  
• Consult an external engineer: Fire Rescue Victoria suggests getting professional advice from an independent fire safety engineer before proceeding with a maintenance companies' proposal and not relying solely on an engineer provided by the maintenance company.
  
• Change providers if needed: If results are unsatisfactory, you may want to consider switching providers.
  
• Brand limitations: Many companies are contracted to specific brands/products, which may not suit your building’s needs. E.g. not all companies offer multi-head censors, which may be the missing factor in your fire safety system.
  
• Contract options: If upgrades are proposed, consider negotiating terms where the maintenance company covers false alarm charges for a dedicated time frame e.g. 6 – 12 months.
  
• Proof of performance: Consider requesting reports and evidence of successful outcomes for other clients. This can be done by requesting reports or ask to speak with previous clients regarding results.
  
• Peer Recommendations: Speak with other building owners/managers about their experiences. This can be done by speaking with your extended network or contacting the Strata Community Association (VIC) for further information.

• Range of expertise: Engineers can also vary in skills and experience. Refer to the below contacts for more information.
  • Fire Protection Association Australia
  • National Fire Industry Association
    
• Get multiple quotes: Fire Rescue Victoria suggests obtaining several opinions before engaging an engineer.
  
• Accreditation: In Victoria, accreditation is not mandatory, but hiring an accredited engineer is recommended.
  
• Independence: Some engineers are affiliated with certain companies. Consider hiring an independent engineer for unbiased advice.

• Fire Rescue Victoria considers the owner, occupier or owners corporation/legal entity of the alarm system to be responsible for the automatic fire alarm system, which includes the maintenance and appropriate management of the building.
  
• Under the Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958 (Vic)(opens in a new window), Fire Rescue Victoria bills the owner of the alarm system for the charge. Even if the owner passes the charge onto a third party, the charge will remain with the owner of the alarm system.
  
• Fire Rescue Victoria cannot allow an extension of payment to allow time for a third party to make payment. It is up to the owner to settle the debt on time. Any on charging is between the owner and the third party and does not involve Fire Rescue Victoria.
  
• Fire Rescue Victoria does not endorse third party on charging.

A third party may contest the on charging of a false alarm charge, by raising a case with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

• Study Melbourne(opens in a new window) – Study Melbourne supports international students to thrive while living and studying around Victoria and can provide free legal advice.
  
• Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)(opens in a new window) – Disagreements between landlord and tenants over payment of charges can be heard by the tribunal.
  
• Tenants Victoria(opens in a new window) – free and confidential legal advice, assistance and support for tenants and residents in Victoria.

There are several steps you can take to reduce the number of smoking/vaping caused false alarms:

• Educate occupants: Inform people about the fire alarm system and the importance of avoiding smoking and vaping other than in designated areas.
  • You may need to ban this activity in and around your building completely.
    
• Improve signage: Clearly mark areas where smoking and vaping are prohibited.
  • Signage may require updating to include vaping.
    
• Improve security: Consider implementing security measures to prevent unauthorised access to areas where smoking and vaping are prohibited.
  
• Improve air-handling: Ensure proper ventilation to help remove smoke and vapours.
  
• Change detector settings/type/positioning: Consult with a fire engineer or maintenance professional to determine if adjustments to the fire alarm system are necessary.
  • Also assess if designated areas for smoking or vaping are adequate environments to support these activities.

An aerosol activation is when a fire alarm system detects a fine mist or spray that can be mistaken for, or mimic, smoke. This often happens due to everyday activities such as spraying:

• Cleaning products
  
• Deodorants
  
• Hair spray
  
• Air fresheners
  
• Insect repellents
  

There could be several reasons for recurring aerosol activations:

• Poor system design: Detector type and location may not be fit for purpose.
  
• Ineffective maintenance: Regular maintenance and cleaning of the system can help prevent false alarms.
  
• Occupant behaviour: Activities such as using aerosols within the proximity of detectors without proper/sufficient ventilation can trigger the alarms.
  

Additional to the reduction practices advised above, steps to reduce aerosol activations include:

• Modifications: Implement system changes like improved signage and air-handling capabilities.
  
• System review: Consider consulting a fire engineer to assess your system's design and identify potential improvements.
  
• Occupant education: Educate your staff and tenants about how to avoid triggering aerosol activated false alarms.
  

A bathroom steam activation is when a fire alarm is triggered due to excessive steam or humidity in a bathroom, often caused by showers, baths, or saunas.

Bathroom steam activations can occur when the humidity levels in a bathroom reach a point where the smoke detectors are unable to differentiate between steam and smoke. A false alarm commonly occurs when:

• A bathroom door is left open, or opened, releasing a significant amount of steam into a room not designed for steam.

There are several strategies to prevent bathroom steam activations:

• Educate occupants: Inform occupants about the importance of avoiding excessive steam and humidity in bathrooms. Educate your staff and tenants about how to avoid triggering false alarms.
  • Provide ample signage.
    
    
• Maintenance: Ensure regular maintenance and cleaning of your fire alarm system.
  
  
• System review: Consider consulting a fire engineer to assess your system's design and identify potential improvements such as:
  • Detector types: Use detectors that are less sensitive to humidity.
  • Detector locations: Place detectors in areas less likely to be affected by steam.
  • Automatic ventilation: Install fans or ventilation systems that can be activated automatically to reduce humidity.
  • Hot water temperature reduction: Lower the temperature of hot water systems to reduce steam production.

Whilst occupant education is important, effective long term reduction strategies involve investigating and improving system design. This is especially the case with mixed use properties involving:

• Long and short term occupants
• Occupants with limited English
• Occupants with additional care needs

• Educating occupants: Inform residents about proper cooking practices, including using exhaust fans, avoiding leaving food unattended and the placement of cooking appliances:
  • Ensure cooking can take place without activation of the fire safety system.
  • Ensure supplied cooking appliances are fit for use and placed in designated areas designed for cooking.
    
• Modifying the building system: Consult with a fire engineer or maintenance professional to assess the building's fire safety systems and identify potential improvements. Consider changes to the building's air handling:
  • Detector types
  • Detector locations
  • Delay facilities
  • Localising parts of the fire alarm system
    
• Document actions: Keep records of any investigations, works done, and related correspondence.

Contractors, tradespeople, or cleaners conduct a range of activities which may impact fire detection systems including, but not limited to, generating:

• Smoke
  
• Dust
• Debris
• Steam

There could be several reasons for repeated contractor activations:

• Inadequate worker induction: Having a strong induction to your building and the fire safety system can assist with mitigation. It’s important to note, some contractors may not be adequately trained on how to avoid triggering alarms.
• Insufficient task/risk analysis: Not properly assessing the potential risks of contractor activities can lead to unforeseen situations that trigger false alarms.
• Improper isolations: If necessary isolations are not implemented during contractor work, it can disrupt the fire detection system and cause false alarms.

• Implement clear procedures and inductions:
  • Develop and implement specific procedures for contractors to follow during their work (e.g. all contractors must sign in and notify manager of arrival).
  • Provide contractor inductions which includes guidelines on how to avoid triggering fire alarms.
    
• Conduct a risk analysis: Before any contractor work begins, assess the potential risks and identify measures to mitigate them.
  
• Implement appropriate isolations: If necessary, isolate the fire detection system during contractor work to prevent false alarms.
  
• Limit creation of dust: This can be done by requesting contractors use a ventilation system while working or supplying one for them.

The responsibility lies with the building owner or manager to ensure that proper procedures are in place and that contractors are adequately trained and supervised.

A Fire Indicator Panel (FIP) is a central control unit that displays the status of various fire detection and alarm devices within a building.

It is an offence in Victoria to reset a Fire Indicator Panel, if the Fire Indicator Panel detects a fire (or simulated condition) and sounds an alarm, unless you have the consent of the fire services or a reasonable excuse (Section 75B (4) Fire Rescue Victoria Act – Section 106A(4) CFA Act).

• Fully monitored automatic alarm system:
  • Fire Indicator Panel can only be reset by Fire Service personnel.
    
• Local fire alarm system: no Alarm Signalling Equipment (ASE) on site:
  • Fire Indicator Panel may be reset by the owner/occupier after thorough investigation of the area determines no cause for alarm.
    
• Partly monitored automatic alarm systems: Alarm Signalling Equipment (ASE) on site – may or may not be activated):
  • If the monitored part of the system has triggered the alarm (Alarm Signalling Equipment (ASE) alarm light showing), Fire Indicator Panel (FIP) can only be reset by Fire Service personnel.
  • If the local only part of the system has triggered the alarm (No Alarm Signalling Equipment (ASE) alarm light showing), Fire Indicator Panel (FIP) may be reset by the owner/occupier after thorough investigation of the area determines no cause for the alarm.

Building owners/occupiers should be providing regular training to building occupants on the proper use of the Fire Indicator Panel (FIP).

The resetting of a Fire Indicator Panel (FIP) without authorisation:

• Has the potential to be a serious hazard to life safety (silencing alarms may prevent a required evacuation).
  
• Resetting a Fire Indicator Panel (FIP) without authorisation can result in heavy penalties. You may be liable for up to 60 penalty units: 2025/26 financial year - $12,210.60.

Resetting the panel will not prevent Fire Rescue Victoria attendance. In most cases, resetting the panel will increase the attendance fees charged by the fire services due to the extended time on scene to investigate the cause of the alarm.

A Manual Call Point (MCP) activation (sometimes referred to as break glass alarms or “BGAs”) occurs when a Manual Call Point (MCP) is triggered, by a person pressing the button or breaking the glass panel. This can lead to a false alarm if there is no actual fire. Manual Call Point (MCP) activations can be deliberate or accidental.

There are a number of potential causes of Manual Call Point (MCP) activations, including:

• Accidental activations: People may accidentally trigger a Manual Call Point (MCP) due to carelessness or lack of awareness.
  
• Malicious activations: Individuals may intentionally activate a Manual Call Point (MCP) as a prank or to cause trouble.
  
• System design issues: Poor device placement, for example:
  • Too close in proximity to exit buttons
  • Poor signage
  • Undesirable location that can be easily triggered
    

There are several strategies that can be implemented to reduce Manual Call Point (MCP) activations:

• Signage: Make sure clear signage is displayed.
  
• Placement: Review if the current placement is appropriate or if there’s another location that will suit better. Review with your fire maintenance company.
  
• Education and training: Educate building occupants about the importance of avoiding accidental Manual Call Point (MCP) activations and the consequences of false alarms.
  
• Improved security: Implement security measures such as surveillance cameras or access control measures to deter malicious activations.

A rubbish chute sprinkler activation occurs when a sprinkler head within a rubbish chute is triggered, causing water to be released. This typically occurs when rubbish makes impact with a sprinkler head.

Repeated activations can be due to several reasons, such as:

• Oversized objects: Hard rubbish or unusually shaped objects being incorrectly disposed of within the rubbish chute can impact sprinkler heads.
  
• Incorrect installation: If the sprinkler head is poorly located or insufficiently shielded, rubbish may impact the sprinkler head.
  
• Building design issues: The design of the rubbish chute itself, including its door size and chute width/angle, may allow rubbish to impact the sprinkler head.

To reduce the frequency of rubbish chute sprinkler activations, consider the following measures:

• Education:
  • Educate occupants about proper use of the rubbish chute, emphasising the importance of avoiding oversized or foreign objects.
  • Building inductions for new tenants which outlay clear instructions on the usage of rubbish chutes. This is best done in person or in an online tutorial. Written instructions are often skipped over or not read at all.
  • Inductions for contractors attending the site.
    
• System changes: Consult with a fire engineer or maintenance professional to explore system design changes, such as
  • Improved signage.
  • Shielding sprinkler heads.
  • Relocating sprinkler heads.
  • Reducing the size of rubbish chute doors
  • Additional security such as CCTV may encourage compliance and assist in accountability.
    
• Regular maintenance: Conduct regular inspections and maintenance of the rubbish chute and sprinkler system to identify and address potential issues.
  
• Recordkeeping: Maintain records of any investigations or works done to address repeated activations, as this information may be requested in the future.
  

This refers to a situation where a vehicle impacts a sprinkler head, activating water flow and triggers a false alarm.

Common causes can consist of:

• Roof or loading racks being higher than perceived/known vehicle clearance height.
  
• Height restriction: ramps or uneven surfaces combined with varying tyre pressure can create fluctuating height differences in vehicles. Height restrictions should be set with extra margin to mitigate this issue.
  
• Vibrations: The constant movement of vehicles in a car park, especially heavy vehicles, can generate vibrations that travel through the ground and building structure. These vibrations can loosen sprinkler heads over time.

There are several strategies:

• Educating building users: Inform staff, visitors and occupants about the importance of avoiding vehicle contact with sprinkler heads. Signage should be clear, frequent and unambiguous.

• System changes:

  Consider:

  • Modifying vehicle height restrictions
  • Improving signage
  • Restricting access
  • Increasing supervision
  • Relocating or raising sprinkler heads
    
• Investigating system design: Consult a fire engineer or maintenance professional to assess if there are design flaws contributing to the problem.

An isolation is when a fire alarm system component, such as a smoke detector or zone, is temporarily disabled. This is often done for maintenance, repairs, or construction work.

• Safety risk: Isolations can reduce the effectiveness of the fire alarm system, potentially delaying a response to a fire or other emergency.
  
• Compliance issues: Extended isolations may violate fire safety regulations, leading to fines or penalties.

• Review your fire safety documentation: Ensure that all isolations are documented and justified.
  
• Contact your fire maintenance company: Discuss the reasons for the isolations and request a timeline for their resolution.
  
• Consider obtaining a building permit: If isolations are due to extended construction work, a permit may be required.
  
• Keep records: Maintain documentation of all investigations, repairs, and communications regarding the isolations.

Regular maintenance: Schedule routine maintenance for your fire alarm system to minimise the need to isolate faulty components.

Proper planning: When planning construction or renovation work, consider ways to minimise disruptions to the fire alarm system. Fire Rescue Victoria recommends minimum isolation methods i.e. do not isolate areas unnecessarily or for excessive time periods. Additional safety measures such as increased security may be required to compensate for a lack of automated protection.

Log Book: Isolations should be recorded in an ‘Isolation Log Book’ stored at the Fire Detection Control and Indicating Equipment (FDCIE) or inside the Fire Control Room/Centre.

This means that your Fire Indicator Panel (FIP) is not sending the necessary fault and/or isolate signals to the Alarm Signalling Equipment (ASE).

If panel faults are not attended to in a timely manner or isolated incorrectly, your fire protection system may not provide adequate notification in case of a fire.

• Contact your fire maintenance company: Request an immediate inspection and repair of your fire protection system. The Australian Standard requires that alarms, faults and isolates are received by the Alarm Signalling Equipment (ASE).
  
• Keep records: Document all communications, inspections, and repairs related to this issue. This information may be required in case of future investigations and will always assist with your submission application.

• Regular maintenance: Ensure your fire protection system is regularly inspected and maintained to the Australian Standards.
  
• Stay informed: Stay updated on relevant Australian Standards and fire safety regulations.

A repeated fault alarm is when a fire alarm system generates multiple false alarms from the same device over an extended period. This sometimes indicates an underlying issue that may not have been properly addressed.

There are several reasons why repeated fault alarms might occur which can include:

• Device malfunction: The device itself may be faulty or damaged.
• Environmental factors:
  • Changes in air movement
  • Changes in humidity
  • Pest control issues
  • Other environmental conditions
• Incorrect installation or maintenance: Improper installation or lack of regular maintenance can lead to issues.