Guidelines for the reduction of unwanted alarms

The Fire Alarm and Building Design Guidelines for the Reduction of Unwanted Alarms forms part of the assessment criteria. This is to ensure the Fire Detection and Alarm System (FDAS) being installed meets specified performance as detailed in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and relevant Australian Standard (AS) i.e. normal occupation of the building will not cause alarm conditions, e.g. cooking, cleaning, showering etc.

If this document does not adequately address how the applicant has/will implement design and installation considerations, allowing future users of the building to have normal occupation of the building without causing nuisance alarms, the QFES will advise that the application for FDAS does not meet specified performance.

The criteria assessed in this document will also be considered when the completed building is inspected. If at the time of inspection the completed system does not meet or exceed the detail of this document the QFES will advise that the inspection of the FDAS does not meet specified performance. QFES may test any class of building by pragmatic means to ensure specified performance is met. All Class 2 and Class 3 Sole Occupancy Units (SOU) that are to be monitored by the QFES will be tested by pragmatic means. See here for further information.

The BCA and Australian Standard provide the minimum requirements over a broad range of applications. The applicant must demonstrate that any design feature or installation will ensure FDAS specified performance is suitable for the actual application, not just the minimum standard.

QFES strongly advise that any Class 2 or Class 3 SOU with any cooking facilities be provided with externally ducted extraction that meets the actual requirements of normal occupation as opposed to the minimum standard. Similarly QFES advise any SOU bathroom be provided with externally ducted extraction that meets the actual occupation requirements.

It is recommended that the relevant externally ducted extraction be automatically switched by activation of the light switch in the bathroom or by the activation of the cooking equipment in the kitchen.

The Fire Alarm and Building Design Guidelines for the Reduction of Unwanted Alarms are based on existing building legislation and Australian Standards to which fire alarms must currently comply.

See link to ​​guidelines​​​.

Can QFES provide any specific design specifications for the reduction of Unwanted Alarms?

The role of QFES is not to design but to ensure achievement of specified performance by providing outcomes as stipulated in the guidelines. The following bullet points may provide further guidance for a developer/ architect to establish, evaluate and document the design of buildings in order to reduce unwanted alarms.

• Consider the people who are expected to live, work and visit the facility;
• Conduct an analysis of the internal/external design and the potential impact of the external environment;
• Review specific internal design features specific to the bathroom and kitchen such as the proximity of smoke detectors and ventilation entertainment systems;
• Review the building air management system and the prevailing natural air flow;
• Ensure an appropriate range of approved components incorporating suitable specifications have been professionally considered for installation.