False alarm fees and rebates
What is a false alarm?
If we respond to a fire alarm and it turns out that the call was the result of a non-emergency situation or faulty alarm system, we classify it as a false alarm. We may charge a fee for responding to a false alarm, but we do not charge fees for calls where there is an active fire or if the fire has been put out prior to our arrival.
Most false fire alarms can be prevented by maintaining or modifying the alarm system.
The Calgary Fire Department attends over 10,000 false alarms every year.
What you can do to reduce false alarms
- Answer the initial call from your alarm company
- Save the number of the alarm company monitoring centre, so that you answer the call
- Supply an up-to-date list of contact numbers to your alarm company
- Properly install and maintain your fire alarm system
- Take your fire alarm system offline before changing batteries or testing the system
- Understand the contract with your alarm company, including how they determine when to call the fire department
- Follow all safety procedures when cooking
- Be familiar with pertinent City bylaws
False alarm fees
False alarm fees are charged to the property owner, business owner, alarm supplier, property manager or person responsible. The fees are based on the number of false alarms that occur in a building or parcel of land in one calendar year:
- First: No Charge
- Second: $500
- Third: $1000
- Four or more: $1500/alarm
It is mandatory to have a fire inspection done by a Fire Safety Codes Officer if you have four or more false alarms in one calendar year.
The routing of security alarms to the Fire Department is prohibited and will be subject to a fee of $2000 for each alarm.
What to expect in the event of an alarm
Due to the life safety risk of a fire, your alarm service provider needs verbal confirmation of a false alarm to prevent fire department dispatch.
Most alarm service providers do the following:
- Attempt contact either over the panel or at the primary number on the account.
- If unable to verbally verify a false alarm, they will dispatch the Fire Department.
- Will continue to attempt contact to notify of the dispatch
Less than 1% of residential calls initiated by an alarm monitoring company result in a fire.
Impact of false alarms
- When fire crews are rushing to attend false alarms, the lives of emergency responders and other road users are put at risk. Approaching sirens and lights often cause panic on the road and surrounding areas, which can lead to unnecessary injuries or health issues.
- Responding to false or nuisance alarms diverts resources away from real emergencies.
- Repeated false alarms can lead to complacency in the event of a real fire emergency
False alarm rebates
Applications for rebates will be accepted after each false alarm fee payment or at the end of each calendar year for all false alarm payments.
Print and complete the Fire Fees Rebate Form and attach all invoices and documents related to the rebate. Mail the form and all documents to the address below before March 1 of the year following your fine.
Fire Fees Rebate Program
Calgary P.O. Box 2100, Stn. M, #49
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 2M5
Attn: False Alarm Rebate
Please refer to the bylaw for Fire Operations and Fees for further information.