January 20, 2006—Standards Australia has launched a major new standard designed to improve the reliability and performance of fire protection systems and equipment.
The new standard, Maintenance of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment Standard (AS 1851-2005), is based on a year-round maintenance cycle that moves beyond one-off annual inspections, says the organization.
The new standard consolidates the sixteen parts of the previous editions to maximize reliability and minimize the risk of failure of fire systems and equipment. It is designed for the use of regulators, building managers and owners, fire protection contractors and service personnel including fire protection designers and installers.
It takes into consideration the requirements of OH&S regulation and the maintenance provision of the Building Code of Australia, says Standards Australia.
The four main components of the standard deal with inspection, test, preventative maintenance and survey. Systems interfaces are also considered, for example, detection and alarm systems with atrium smoke exhaust plant, alarm systems with stairwell pressurization, automatic fire sprinkler systems with HVAC fire mode operation and warning facilities.
Standards Australia is recognized by the government as Australia’s top standards body. It develops Australian Standards of public benefit and national interest and supports excellence in design and innovation. For more information, visit the Web site.
