When well serviced and maintained, fire alarm systems are invaluable in saving lives and protecting property. Whenever a monitored fire alarm is activated, the Salt Lake City Fire Department sends one or multiple fire trucks, depending on the size of the building and number of occupants.
Unfortunately, many fire alarm systems are activated in circumstances other than fire or pre-fire conditions, including construction around alarm sensors, routine maintenance, and accidental alarm activations. This has resulted in many unnecessary fire department responses – a waste of fuel, a cause of wear and tear on fire trucks, and most importantly, a diversion of fire fighters from actual emergency situations.
In 2011, the Salt Lake City Council adopted an ordinance aimed at reducing the number of unnecessary fire alarm responses. Under the ordinance, the department has the ability to send warning notices or impose fines on businesses generating “nuisance” fire alarms, on a tiered basis over 365 days:
- First: Warning letter
- Second: Warning letter
- Third: $125.00 fine
- Fourth: $250.00 fine
- Fifth: $375.00 fine
- Sixth & Above: $500.00 fine
There are several ways businesses can avoid a fine. These include:
- Performing annual preventative maintenance on fire alarm systems
- Notifying the Fire Department at 801-799-4231 if maintenance is being performed on an alarm system
- Immediately contacting & cancelling the Fire Department at 801-799-4231 if an alarm accidentally trips – if you contact us before we arrive, no problem
For more information, please contact the Salt Lake City Fire Prevention Bureau at 801-799-4150
Full text of the ordinance available here
Photo: Gavin Kerslake
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