AS1851

Changes to Conditions of Connection for Fire Sprinklers - South East Water

Submitted by rporteous on Fri, 2008-02-15 12:43.

I have just received the email below that was distributed by the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors regarding new requirements from South East Water for all new construction projects from March 1, 2008.

Is AS1851:2005 mandatory in Victoria?

Submitted by rporteous on Tue, 2008-01-29 23:16.

Practice Note 2007-61 almost slipped passed my desk without me picking up this little nugget. According to the Victorian Building Commission Practice Note 2007-61 issued November 2007, building owners may have a common law obligation to adopt AS1851-2005. Here is a full extract of the relevant clause;

AS1851-2005 Amendment No 2 DRAFT

Submitted by rporteous on Thu, 2008-01-24 23:04.

Well its out today, the first public draft of Amendment No. 2 of Australian Standard AS1851-2005.

This draft is 18 pages long and includes many changes that people involved in the Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment should consider carefully.

The summary of the draft reads as follows;

Building and Plumbing Industry Commission tackling fire sprinkler water wastage

Submitted by rporteous on Mon, 2007-12-03 10:23.

On November 28, the Building and Plumbing Industry Commission issued a Media Release (below) that The Building and Plumbing Industry Commissions, water authorities and fire protection industry are taking action to reduce the large volume of water used for testing fire sprinkler systems.

Maintenance Essentials continues to take a lead role in the efficient use of water use in fire protection by supporting South East Water, The Building Commission and customers to carry out a pilot program and implement water saving initiatives which may be used industry wide.

Technical Bulletin TB-011: Update for AS1851-2005 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment

Submitted by rporteous on Wed, 2007-07-18 00:01.

The Fire Protection Association of Australia has produced a new Technical Bulletin TB-011: Update for AS1851-2005 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment.

The bulletin provides discussion directed to FPA members, building owners, managers, tenants, maintenance companies, fire services, insurers and consultants and was designed to identify the ''key benefits'' of AS1851-2005 and highlight future refinements to the standard.

AS1851 Standards prior to 2005

The Australian Standard AS1851 contains requirements as a means of satisfying various state regulations including Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) regulations and the maintenance provisions of the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

The standard may also form the basis for performance-based solutions. The combination of inspection, test, preventive maintenance and survey may demonstrate compliance with the maintenance requirements of the Building Code of Australia.

AS1851.1 – 1995 Portable Fire Extinguishers and Fire Blankets
AS1851.2 – 1995 Fire Hose Reels

AS1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment

The Australian Standard AS1851-2005 contains requirements as a means of satisfying various state regulations including Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) regulations and the relevant building control and/or fire service provisions for maintenance of fire safety measures.

The standard may also form the basis for performance-based solutions for the standard of performance of fire safety measures. The combination of inspection, test, preventive maintenance and survey may form part of the design requirements for an alternative solution that complies with the performance requirements of the Building Code of Australia.

Australian Standards

Standards Australia is recognised by the Government as Australia’s peak standards body. It develops Australian Standards® of public benefit and national interest and supports excellence in design and innovation through the Australian Design Awards.

More News Regarding Stadards

Review of AS1851:2005 twelve months on

Australian Standard AS1851:2005, Maintenance of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment was overhauled and subsequently published 12-months ago, in September 2005. According to one consultant;

This standard aims to link the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance aspects of fire equipment to improve system reliability.

The previous AS1851 comprised a suite of individual documents, parts 1 to 16 which have now been amalgamated into a single standard, AS1851-2005. New sections included in this standard include: water mist systems, evacuation plans/procedures, fire monitoring systems and smoke alarms.

Twelve months on, and the uptake of these standards has been complimented through changes to various federal and state regulations and codes. Amendment 1 was also published in July 2006, with changes to 9 clauses and no less than 18 changes to tables throughout the entire document.

AS1851:2005 Early adopters?

Submitted by admin on Fri, 2006-05-05 23:53.

Australian Standard AS1851:2005 has been published for almost six months and most building owners have yet to make a commitment to its adoption. The new standard is very comprehensive but without regulatory and code support may remain on the backburner for most building owners.