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Tasmania Fire Service > False Fire Alarm Reduction > Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Need help? Find answers to common questions about false fire alarms, charges, and available support. If you cannot find what you are looking for, contact the False Fire Alarm Reduction team at falsefire.alarms@fire.tas.gov.au.

A false fire alarm is the activation of an Automatic Fire Alarm System that is caused by reasons other than fire, as determined by Tasmania Fire Service. Under the Fire Service Act 1979, Tasmania Fire Service has a legal responsibility to respond to every notification of a fire, and this includes fire alarm activations.

For the 2025-2026 financial year, Tasmania Fire Service responded to more than 4,300 false fire alarms. On average, this is almost 12 false fire alarms each day of the year statewide.

There are three ways that Tasmania Fire Service may be notified of a fire alarm activation:

  1. Direct Brigade Alarms – Tasmania Fire Service monitors the detection and suppression systems installed within buildings and is automatically notified on alarm activation.
  2. Calls to attend to activated fire alarms through privately monitored alarm systems (such as through security companies).
  3. Calls to attend to activated fire alarms through public notification.

False fire alarms contribute to approximately 40% of all operational responses, causing great disruptions to premise owners, occupants and emergency responders. The False Fire Alarm Reduction Program aims to reduce the occurrence of false fire alarm activations in Tasmania, through a collaborative and shared-responsibility approach between Tasmania Fire Service, premise owners, alarm service providers, occupants and the greater community.

For more information about the False Fire Alarm Reduction Program:

An activated fire alarm is only deemed as false after the Tasmania Fire Service has attended the scene and determined the nature of the alarm. False fire alarm activations may be chargeable.

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

  • Insufficient or poor building maintenance.
  • Smoke resulting from cooking activities or burning food (i.e. 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 (i.e. particularly in larger factory premises).
  • Environmental factors such as weather (i.e. fog or nearby bushfire smoke).

The Tasmania Fire Service may not charge for a fire alarm where its activation is beyond the control of the premise owner.

For example:

  • An actual fire reported by the activation of an automatic fire alarm system.
  • Good intent operation of alarm system.
  • Alarm operates due to extreme weather conditions (storm, lightning, thunder, heat, dust).
  • Council or TasWater pressure fluctuation through water mains.
  • Alarm activation due to power surge/spike or short circuit.
  • FIP showing line fault/open line.
  • Smoke detector operated due to external smoke (bushfire), with no fire present in premise.

The Tasmania Fire Service applies a false fire alarm charge as part of the False Fire Alarm Reduction Program. The charge is intended to encourage the effective management of fire alarm systems and support the reduction of preventable false fire alarms. If the cause of the false fire alarm is within the control of the premise owner, then a false fire alarm charge may apply.

The billing for false fire alarms currently falls within a charging framework established under section 109A of the Fire Service Act 1979. Under this framework, charges may apply for the third and subsequent alarm activations within a 60-day period where the attendance was not required because of the presence of a fire or other emergency. Charges may apply in the first instance where alarm activations are caused by building works, contractor work practices, system maintenance or testing activities, or where appropriate notification has not been provided to the Tasmania Fire Service in relation to alarm isolation, testing, or maintenance activities.

Under the conditions of the Alarm Connection & Monitoring Agreement, the charge for attending false fire alarms is made against the applicant for the agreement (i.e. the premise owner). The premise owner/occupier is liable for the false fire alarm charge. The amount Tasmania Fire Service charges does not cover the actual costs incurred attending false fire alarm activations.

Attendance by Tasmania Fire Service personnel at false fire alarms has a significant impact on resources and limits the capacity to respond to real emergencies. The false fire alarm charge is designed to recover a portion of the response cost. It also encourages premise owners to be proactive in managing fire alarm systems.

Yes, charges associated to false fire alarms are increasing. Changes to charge reforms are intended to place greater emphasis on the responsibility of premise owners and the community to proactively maintain fire alarm systems that are fit for purpose and are appropriately managed through addressing any underlying causes of avoidable false fire alarms.

This is a term referred to as ‘on-billing’, whereby some premise owners have a policy about false fire alarm activation by a third party. The policy may pass the charge onto the tenant, contractor, or a person causing a false fire alarm. Ultimately, the premise owner is liable for the false fire alarm charge. Policies and decisions to ‘on-bill’ is the responsibility of the premise owner. Tasmania Fire Service does not support ‘on-billing’, however has no legislative responsibility or control to enforce it.

The Fire Service Act 1979 allows for a premise owner to request a waiver of the false fire alarm charge. This can be done by writing to the Chief Officer about the circumstances resulting in the alarm, evidence of the premise owner taking reasonable steps to avoid future false fire alarm activations, or evidence that the issue surrounding the false fire alarm has been resolved. A decision will then be made on whether a charge will apply.

To request a waiver of the false fire alarm charge, complete the online waiver application form and provide any supporting information relevant to your request. This may include details about the circumstances that caused the alarm activation, evidence of maintenance, repairs or system upgrades, correspondence from your alarm service provider, or information demonstrating that reasonable steps have been taken to prevent future false fire alarms.

Applications will be assessed by the Tasmania Fire Service in accordance with the Fire Service Act 1979, relevant policies and supporting guidelines. Each application is considered on its individual merits, taking into account the circumstances of the activation, the actions taken to address the issue, and the history of false fire alarms at the premises.

Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their request once the assessment has been completed.

Understanding the history of false fire alarms at your premise is a helpful way of identifying recurring causes and patterns of unwanted activations. This information can support targeted reduction, system improvements and behavioural or procedural changes by the premise owner. Investigating causes of false fire alarm activations now, can prevent future false fire alarm activations and impacts from becoming cumulative and compounding.

Here are some ways to obtain information about your premises false fire alarm history:

  • The Chief Warden can speak to the responding brigade as to why the fire alarm was activated if deemed false by Tasmania Fire Service.
  • The Chief Warden at Specified Premises (General Fire Regulations 2021) can access reports and debrief information as conducted post-emergency with the Emergency Control Organisation (ECO). A premises ECO consists of a chief warden and other positions if deemed necessary by the Emergency Planning Committee (EPC) and in accordance with the Australian Standards (AS3745-2010 Planning for emergencies in facilities). ECOs are appropriate to the premises and to the emergency response procedures as determined by the EPC.
  • Contact a Fire Engineer or Building Surveyor to discuss causes, impacts and mitigation measures of false fire alarm activations and your premise. If an investigation into your fire alarm system is required, engaging a qualified fire system contractor is recommended. Fire system contractors have the expertise to identify and rectify potential causes of false alarms, to prevent future false activations at your premise.
  • If appropriate, speak to the occupiers of your premise about the causes and impacts of false fire alarm activations. False fire alarm activations may be due to behaviour that can simply be modified (i.e. cooking in a bedroom or vaping indoors).

The Tasmania Fire Service is also available to support you in determining the underlying issues and implementing effective solutions. The False Fire Alarm Reduction Program can provide detailed information from brigade attendance, including zones, detector numbers, suspected causes, and on-site observations, to support your investigation and corrective actions. Premise specific reports can be requested by premise owners and generated on a case-by-case basis.

Responding Tasmania Fire Service brigades are obligated to attend to all fire alarm activations. A triple zero (000) telephone call to Tasmania Fire Service with information about the activation will assist responding crews. However, it will not prevent responding brigades from attending the scene, as an activated fire alarm is only deemed as false after the Tasmania Fire Service has attended the scene and determined the nature of the alarm.

All fire alarms must be treated as genuine until Tasmania Fire Service has attended the scene and determined the nature of the alarm. This means that evacuation procedures must be enacted without delay.

Regulation 28 of the General Fire Regulations 2021 states: (7) “the occupier of the specified building must ensure that, if there is a fire or fire alarm in the specified building, the specified building is evacuated in accordance with the fire evacuation plan”. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in a penalty of up to 50 penalty units. These requirements are in place to protect life and ensure the safety of both occupants and emergency responders.

For more information about evacuation plans:

A fire indicator panel (FIP) is the central control and monitoring unit of a building’s fire alarm system, and receives signals from fire detection devices, processes them, and triggers alarms if activated. Only an attending fire officer, brigade chief, and group officer from Tasmania Fire Service can reset a Fire Indicator Panel once activated. Under fire service legislation, it is an offence to tamper or interfere with a fire alarm system.

It is a condition of a premise owner’s Alarm Connection & Monitoring Agreement to isolate areas where works are to be undertaken. Only authorised permit holders can isolate zones within a building during maintenance works. Under fire service legislation, it is an offence to tamper or interfere with a fire alarm system.

FireComm is not capable of remotely isolating the zone. The premise owner may contact FireComm (1800 000 699) to advise of works being carried out. Notification will assist responding crews if an alarm is activated.

Only persons issued with a permit by the Chief Officer of the Tasmania Fire Service may install, maintain, or repair an automatic fire alarm system. This extends to portable type fire protection equipment. Applications and supporting documentation can be found by visiting the Tasmania Fire Service website.

Remember, only authorised permit holders can isolate zones within a building during maintenance works. Under fire service legislation, it is an offence to tamper or interfere with a fire alarm system.

There are a vast number of different types of Automatic Fire Alarm Systems, with varying ages. The authorised system would have been assessed against the relevant building code of the time to ensure it met requirements. Over time, it is often the case that the premise’s occupation type may change, or the premise has significant refurbishment. When this occurs, the installed system may no longer be suitable, which can lead to an increase in false fire alarms.

The Tasmania Fire Service recommends that in these cases the premise owner contact an authorised technician to assess the system. They may then investigate and provide options on ways to better maintain or upgrade the current system. Ensuring that staff induction and training are in line with the current use and layout of a premise, and the fire alarm system that is installed, may further reduce the instances of false fire alarms.

For more information about Building Safety:

For more information about the False Fire Alarm Reduction Program:

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