Management of your site
Owners and their representatives must ensure that their fire alarm system and the entire site it protects is managed effectively to provide fire safety and to mitigate unwanted false alarms.
In developing management systems, the challenge is to 'think outside the square' to foresee any possible problems and implement prevention strategies before a false alarm occurs.
The management of your site may include:
1. Appointment of a responsible person
Does your building or site have an appointed person responsible to oversee the management of the fire alarm system?
The MFB is aware of a number of companies that have already taken this step - it has proved to be positive in reducing unwanted false alarms.
Personnel that have been appointed to this role include site engineers, building managers and fire wardens and they should be motivated, authoritative, and receive training in all aspects of your fire alarm system and monitoring equipment.
2. Procedures for visitors including sub-contractors
Can builders, tradespeople, cleaners, etc. enter your site at will, or do you have procedures in place to control their egress?
Smoke detectors activate from dust, heat, fumes, etc. that are the common product of trade activities, and so it may be necessary for specific zones or circuits of the fire alarm system to be isolated prior to work commencing. 
Managing an Isolated Alarm (100.11 kb) is a priority when this occurs.
Procedures should be implemented to protect your fire alarm system from generating these types of unwanted false alarms.
3. Education and training of personnel
For personnel responsible for the fire alarm system training should include:
- correct testing procedures
- correct isolation procedures
- liaison with fire maintenance company
For all staff and occupants of the site, education should include:
- overview of the fire alarm system, including detector types and positions
- information on which activities and conditions are likely to activate the fire alarm system
- information on policies and procedures that may affect the fire alarm system
False alarm prevention should form part of all new employees orientation programs. Our brochure Living with a Fire Alarm System (181.89 kb) may be of assistance.
4. Evaluation of your detector positions, type and calibration levels
- Detector types (eg. smoke, thermal) should be chosen to suit the environment and must comply with Australian Standards.
- The calibration or sensitivity of the detectors may need to be adjusted.
- The position of detectors may need to be considered.
- Advances in New Technology (101.23 kb) may assist.
NOTE: If you wish to modify any part of your fire alarm system, all changes must be approved by a registered building surveyor.
We suggest you advise your insurance company of any intended changes.