When the alarm is activated on a fire system connected to Automatic Fire Alarm Monitoring, the signal will be transmitted to the Fire Brigade within seconds.

We will not be able to stop the alarm from going through to the Fire Brigade as it is transmitted automatically. Upon attendance, the local Fire Station Officer may deem the situation as a false alarm if they find no fire at the relevant premises.

A false alarm is chargeable when the attending station officer deemed the alarm could have been prevented. For example:

• If the cause of the alarm was attributed to an activity of an occupant/worker on site.
• Lack of maintenance of the building.
• Suspected faulty detectors and so on.
• The Fire Brigade imposes a fee for a false alarm and the cost varies from state to state. It can range from $250.00 to $1500.00.
• As an incentive for customers to reduce their number of false alarms, the Fire Brigade will consider application for waivers. There are criteria the customer must meet in order to be considered. Please contact your local Fire station for more information.

All systems are susceptible to false alarms, but to minimize these, there are a number of measures you can take:

• Is your system maintained adequately? Fire Services recommend at a minimum that your system is maintained to the conditions outlined in the NZ Standard ‘Fire Detection and Alarm Systems in Buildings 4512:2010, Part 6 Maintaining Systems in Compliance and Good Working Order’.
• Check that your system is configured to suit building use.
• Do detector types and or sensitivities need to be changed?
• How is the movement of contractors and trades people managed?
• Do you have a responsible person on site?
• How are tenants, staff and occupants advised of procedures and guidelines?

REMEMBER: FENZ may charge you for a false alarm

In NZ, the Fire Brigade determines whether a false alarm charge applies, if so FENZ will invoice the building owner direct.

A false alarm is non chargeable when the cause of the alarm can be determined to be beyond the control of the owner, was unforeseen, unpredictable, and where no blame for the activation can be attributed to activity of an occupant at the premises.