Commercial fire detection systems are commonly installed to the requirements of AS1670. This document covers Fire Detection, Warning Systems, Control Systems and Intercom Systems for the system design, installation, and commissioning.
AS1670 is broken into different parts with each part focusing on a certain area of Design, Installation and Commissioning. Maintenance section of Fire Detection systems can be found in AS1851-2012- Section 6.
Note: System design is normally stipulated by the year of design and installation please refer to the commissioning documents to confirm your premise requirements to which year AS1670 is applicable.
The words fire detection typically relate to a commercial type system, whereas the words smoke alarm commonly relate to residential smoke alarms. A certifier can utilise either system in different premises, however, when interacting with a fire professional it is best to use the correct terminology to not confuse the situation.
As many buildings differ in classification but also design, system configuration requires a fire service professional who is a certifier in the fire industry, which is a niche area. Each building is typically broken up into a designated entry point with fire zones. Fire zones assist the fire wardens or fire brigade to quickly identify the zone or area in alarm. Typically found easily on conventional fire systems, addressable systems should also be zoned as detectors descriptions can change.
An example of this is that a shop may be leased out to a hairdressing business and labelled in a fire program as a hairdressing shop. After an amount of time the tenant moves out and is replaced by a barber shop. A forward thinking fire detection certifier will utilise a shop number and zoning to help emergency services locate the correct position of a detector in alarm.
Abbreviations used by Professional Fire Technicians relating to equipment;
This is not the full list abbreviations used by professionals in the fire industry, simply a list of the most common. Refer to AS1670.1:2015 page 14 for a more comprehensive list of common abbreviations.
Normally installed by electricians or licenced cable installers whom specialize in the fire industry AS1670-2015. This is where the certifier can lay out the design, however the installer has a bigger job of making the system work and following AS3000 and segregation rules. Fire cables are broken into two classes, one which allows a low voltage (typically the detection line) to run with communications cables, however EWIS is classed higher at 100volts and can run the cables with standard 240volt electrical cables.
Why the difference and why is it important to segregate the cabling, especially in the retrofit buildings?
The answer is to avoid interference with cable signals that the Fire Detection system is looking for to display or notify the Fire Brigade. Getting this wrong can mask faults and also interfere with fire alarms.
Depending on the complexity of the designed AS1670 system, a commissioning test could take only an hour for one fire technician or days with multiple technicians and specialists for interconnected systems.
The aim of commissioning is to confirm that the fire detection system is designed to AS1670 and performs to the design requirements. Normally referred to by Fire Technicians as a 100% test, commissioning tests put every component of the system to the test.
As testing is being performed AS1670 requires documentation to be completed by the installer and certifier to ensure that the functionality of the fire detection system follows AS1670.
Documentation on completion of AS1670 Part 1 normally contains;
Once a fire system is installed it’s required to be maintained. This was weekly in earlier versions of AS1851. However with technology the testing is now performed;
Each test performed requires different types of inspections from a monthly test that checks the Fire Panels Functions and brigade connection if available. The higher level of testing in an annual test includes setting off the detectors.
All work must be performed by a competent technician that understands the requirements and AS1670, to ensure the design requirements have not changed. A keen eye will help clients save money in false alarms and replacing faulty equipment before it does more damage to the whole system instead of the one component.
Regular Fire Technician training is the only way to ensure your provider is putting the premise and clients’ needs first.
The original design or building use has changed is one of the most common reasons. Ensuring that the system is still relevant to the original design is the clients responsibility but also the servicing company that performs the AS1851 inspections.
The number one reason is dirty detectors. Commercial fire detectors can have a life span longer than a standard smoke alarm (10 years). Maintenance of the detectors is necessary as the detector has air and dust passing through its fine gauzes. After time an addressable system will help identify the dirty detectors before they reach alarm stage, depending on the brand of system your premise has installed.
FCF Fire & Electricals’ recommendation is to have a technician download the fire report of your system and analyse the information on which detectors are likely to alarm next. Enter an FCF Fire & Electrical cleaning program which has saved thousands of dollars on false alarm call outs for our clients in brigade callouts to false alarms. Of course this also means less alarms, less disruption to your business.
Contact FCF Fire & Electrical today on how to save money with false alarms.
Depending on the complexity of the designed AS1670 system, a commissioning test could take only an hour for one fire technician or days with multiple technicians and specialists for interconnected systems.
The aim of commissioning is to confirm that the fire detection system is designed to AS1670 and performs to the design requirements. Normally referred to by Fire Technicians as a 100% test, commissioning tests put every component of the system to the test.
As testing is being performed AS1670 requires documentation to be completed by the installer and certifier to ensure that the functionality of the fire detection system follows AS1670.
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