Ensure the Effectiveness of Your Fire Protection Systems by Following AS 1851

Building owners and managers must always make sure that their properties will be safe from any hazards. Some of the most common hazards that are associated with properties are earthquakes, strong winds, floods, toxic materials, and burglary strikes.

One more hazard that building owners and managers should account for is fire. Fire is one of the property hazards that can be extremely devastating. Without any protection systems, it can quickly put the entire building into ashes, costing property owners expensive damages. A fire can likewise injure or even kill people, making it difficult for the property site to be utilised again.

A wide array of fire protection systems can be installed to avoid the damaging effects of fire. These include fire pump sets, fire hydrant systems, fire sprinkler systems, and fire extinguishers. To ensure that they can remain effective, building owners should follow Australian Standards (AS) 1851.

An Introduction to AS 1851

Different Australian Standards for various purposes have been crafted and implemented by the authorities to make sure that everything will remain organised and safe.

AS 1851, for this instance, is comprised of rules and regulations that can keep fire protection systems functional and useful. Following all the stipulations and terms of AS 1851 can help building owners comply with all state and Occupational Health & Safety rules. Knowing them can, ultimately, keep them safe and protected from the dangers of fire.

Maintenance Requirements

Various maintenance requirements for fire protection systems can be found on AS 1851. Fire protection systems such as automatic fire sprinkler systems, fire pump sets, fire hydrant systems, fire detection and alarms systems, special hazard systems, fire hose reels, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, passive fire and smoke systems, and fire and smoke control are all covered by AS 1851.

When conducting fire equipment maintenance, building owners, inspectors, and surveyors are recommended to follow a four-stage approach. The first stage would be the inspection requirements for the fire protection systems. The next stage covers the documentation of the inspection. The third stage subsequently addresses any fire equipment failures by reporting them. The last stage covers the generation of an annual condition report, which is expected to cover all findings of the inspection.

The Standards of Frequency

The inspection and other maintenance requirements of fire protection systems must be done at various frequencies. Electric and diesel pumps, for instance, must be assessed every 30 days. Alarm systems must also be checked once every 30 days. Fire hydrant systems, alternatively, should be checked every six months. Smoke and heat alarms may likewise be checked once every six months.

Knowing the frequency standards of all fire protection systems can help property owners ensure the safety of their buildings against fire incidents. To know more about AS 1851, you can contact us at Key Compliance. We have over 30 years of experience in the building industry and 20 years in fire protection.