The Consequences

Ongoing false alarms reduces occupant's reaction to genuine calls and will contribute to delays in fire evacuation. Can and does, provoke the cry wolf syndrome (ignore the fire alarm).

The Cost

When a business is forced evacuate any building, it will incur costs in loss of business, work productivity. In some cases this can amount to thousands of dollars. The additional cost of false alarm charges and other associated costs (fire alarm company) will impact on the running costs of that business. Contractors causing fire alarm activations can be sent the charges affecting their operating costs as well. Lack of maintenance can add costs to the alarm system.

The Community

Fire appliances dispatched to false alarms can't be utilised at a genuine emergency. A delay will then occur in redirecting appliances from other areas.

Fire Service

The loss of available appliances can impact on the operational efficiency of the service given. Unnecessary responses impact the Fire Budget and reduce the time fire crews are available for fire safety duties and genuine emergencies. It places fire crews at an unnecessary risk during the response to the false alarm.

Congestion of 111 system

During busy times dealing with responses to false alarm activations, can cause unnecessary congestion of the 111 system, preventing a quick response to genuine emergency calls.