We are a family owned and operated business.  We do business with a human approach.  We remove the red tape and deliver on our expectations.

We are experienced, qualified specialists in the fire protection industry and are  primed to deliver a solution tailored to your needs.

The work that goes into delivering compliance behind the scenes is very time consuming and therefore costs. 

We do a lot of things that customers don’t think about or realise are required to be compliant. Compliance is not a choice it’s a responsibility and we ensure we get it done.

Our software systems are transparent and dynamic and all of our clients have access to our "Client Portal" which provides information about every site at the click of a button.  

The fire protection industry is laden with jargon and all sorts of complex equipment.  A few common items are:

FIRE EXTINGUISHER - These are the small red cylinders most likely found hanging on the wall around the office/site.  They come in many differnt types and sizes and should be selected specifically for the risk it's been chosen to protect.

FIRE HOSE REEL - Just as it sounds, a 36 metre hose wound up onto a reel.  These are mounted to walls or stands and are normally located within 4 metres of an exit door (located there intentionally). These sometimes can be connected to on-site fire pumps and should never be used to clean cars or wash down floors!  Use of fire hose reels can call the fire brigade and therefore will cost $1200+ if they turn up.  That's an expensive car wash!

FIRE HYDRANT - Fire hydrants are either on a fixed upstand or in a pit in the ground.  They are the water source that the fire brigade connect their hoses to so they can fight fires.  Again, these are often connected to booster pumps and use will call the fire brigade.

FIRE SPRINKLERS - In Australia, unlike in American movies, fire sprinklers are heat activated and do not all go off at once.  Each individual sprinkler head is rated to a certain temperature and will activate as soon as that temperature is reached.  As the heat at the ceiling increases and spreads, sprinkler heads will heat up and go off as a response. If and when they go off - stand clear!  The water is very unpleaseant to begin with and is under a huge amount of pressure.

No.

No no no no no...

Just no.

Broken sprinkler head = HUGE MESS and BIG BILLS 

No charge is made for attendance at genuine fires. A charge may be generated as a result of spirious alarms caused by preventable issues e.g. cooking fumes activating a smoke detector due to people not adequately supervising the cooking activity. This is a matter that can be managed by the occupant, or building design features that can be utilised to control cooking fumes.

If the actual cooking appliance is on fire, and has caused a fire, no charge will be made. However, the fault in the appliance will need to be reported by the attending fire officer, and the appliance manufacturer advised. There will be an investigation of any potential fire risks associated with that device. If necessary, a public warning may be issued.

Smoke alarms are generally found in houses, flats and apartments.  They are normally powered by the house 240v supply with a battery backup.

Smoke detectors are connected to a fire indicator panel and are monitored by that system.  Removing a smoke detector causes a "Fault" on the fire indicator panel and in the NT will notify the NTFRS.  The maintenace contractor will then be called to site to rectify the fault and changes will be forwarded to the guilty party. 

If you believe that you have been charged for an unwanted alarm that is unfair or beyond your control, you can apply to the local Bridage for consideration of a waiver of the unwanted alarm charge.

To do this you must:

• Download and complete the Application to
waive automatic fire alarm charge form from the SAMFS or PFES website.  www.mfs.sa.gov.au or www.pfes.nt.gov.au 

• Lodge the Application to waive automatic fire alarm charge within 30 days of invoice date

• Ensure the explanation for “Request To Waive Automatic Fire Alarm Charge” details the justification for the waiving and what has been done to ensure that unwanted alarms will not re-occur. Use an additional sheet if required.

• Attach a copy of the invoice/s and evidence of the actions taken to remedy further unwanted alarms (e.g. Invoice from your alarm maintenance company).

• Forward all documentation to the address that appears at the top of the waiver form.

The Application will be assessed and you will be contacted with the decision in writing.

** According to SAMFS and NTFRS policies, Defend Fire are not allowed to submit waivers on behalf of our clients.

Fire systems of all descriptions are required by the National Constriction Code of Australia, or in older buildings the legislation at the time.  Systems are installed for many reasons, but generally they..

• reduce the risk of loss of life

give early warning of fire to the occupants

• allow safe and early evacuation from the building

• protect occupants from smoke inhalation or fire via the activation of exhaust fans and other air-handling systems

• provide the fire brigade with early notification of, and allow early response to a fire in a building

• reduce property damage

• reduce the amount of business lost

• minimise risk to the public who attend unfamiliar properties

• act as a duty of care in the interest of the public

• reduce damage to the environment.

When a workman is engaged to perform work in a building fitted with an automatic fire alarm system, it is recommended that the complex manager instigate precautions that ensure no unwanted alarms occur as a result of the workman's activities. The responsibilities of the contractor should be established, including the consequences of causing an unwanted alarm. The manager should establish the expectation upon the contractor to meet any consequential Fire Brigade charges invoiced to the property, if that is the policy of the business. The fire brigade does not issue chargeable alarm invoices to the contractor.

The fire alarm zones/detectors in which work is being undertaken should be isolated while work is being undertaken. It is recommended that a person is tasked as a safety watch while the fire alarm zone is isolated. It is important that all workers are instructed about the consequences of working with fire alarm systems. In South Australia, Managers should establish awareness of the 'timed delay' feature of the Essential Safety Provisions (ESP) to ensure all contractors working in the building understand it.

In the event of a fire alarm operating in a building, it is the responsibility of the owner/occupier to ensure that building evacuation plan procedures are implemented upon hearing the automatic fire alarm system operate. The building evacuation plan procedures are to be adopted by managers, staff, and occupants in the event of an emergency.

Various key response functions are required as per the building evacuation plan. The specific tasks conducted by building managers are referred to in the Australian Standards related to evacuation procedures. Due to the comprehensiveness of proper evacuation plans, it is essential that owner/occupiers fully understand formal legal requirements. Emergency Training Providers or specialist staff in the Community Safety and Resilience Department can provide advice and guidance.

As a part of these evacuation procedures, delegated staff members may, if safe to do so and as a part of the planned tasks:

• attend the fire alarm panel

• determine the location of the fire alarm activation

• investigate the cause of the fire alarm if safe to do so

• search the area

• evacuate the area

• provide the senior firefighting officer (upon their arrival, or en route) with a situation report about the alarm activation status

• do not reset alarm.

Building Fire Safety & Development Acts specify the requirements for maintenance of fire alarm systems. The SAMFS & NTFRS ‘Agreement to Connect’ contract requires the building owner to "maintain the fire alarm detection or suppression system in good working order".

As responsible corporate citizens, as a duty of care, and in recognition of the actual consequences of a non-operable business due to a fire (that occurred because poor fire alarm system performance led to the isolation of various sections), owner/occupiers have formal and ethical responsibility to ensure the auto fire alarm system is compliant to required standards.

Also - if an incident occurs and the building fire safety systems are not being maintained correctly, teh building insurers are likely to reject any claim.  It's a perfect "get out of jail" card that they often play.