Fire service charges
Our fire service charges ensure that a service is available, and to recover the costs of water used.
Metered services
Most fire and sprinkler services have a meter installed. Water that passes through a meter is billed – including water used for testing, inappropriate use, or wasted due to leakage.
Because of the costs involved, it is important for the service owner to actively manage water use, and work with a fire service consultant to ensure testing is appropriate for the site.
There are currently several types of meter arrangement used on fire services. Where a combined fire and sprinkler service has a bypass meter installed, only the fire service is considered to be metered.
Where a service has a suitable meter installed, a lower service charge is applied because any water used will be billed from the meter.
There are two pricing categories for metered services.
- Metered fire service:
A private fire service that only has hydrants and/or hose reels connected through a suitable meter assembly. Water used is paid for on the metered volume. - Metered fire sprinkler service:
A private fire sprinkler service that is metered through an approved meter. Water used is paid for on the metered volume.
Annual service charges (billed quarterly)
| Category | Price effective from 1 July 2023 (per annum) |
|---|---|
| Metered fire service (without sprinkler system) | $44.46 |
| Metered fire sprinkler service | $377.69 |
Unmetered services
Many services installed prior to 2011 do not have a suitable meter installed. Where a fire service is unmetered, the service charge will include the average cost of water used by that type of service.
Owners of unmetered services may elect to have a meter installed (at their cost) and attract the lower ‘metered service charge’.
There are two pricing categories for unmetered services
- Unmetered fire service
For a private fire service that only has hydrants and/or hose reels connected but does not have a suitable meter assembly. The service charge also includes the average value of water used in these services. - Unmetered fire sprinkler service
For a private fire sprinkler service that is not metered through an approved electromagnetic flow meter. The service charge also includes the average value of water used in these services.
Annual service charges (billed quarterly)
| Category | Price effective from 1 July 2023 (per annum) |
|---|---|
| Unmetered fire service (without sprinkler system) | $131.66 |
| Unmetered fire sprinkler service fee | $1,099.19 |