AS1841 is for Fire Extinguisher General Requirements, do not confused with is AS1851 which is for the ongoing maintenance of majority fire equipment including Fire Extinguisher
AS1841 – Portable fire extinguishers General Requirements
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.
AS1841-2007 Sections
- General
- Materials of Construction
- Design
- Construction
- Performance Requirements
- Testing
- Determination of Compliance
- Identification of Colours
- Instructions and Marking
- Packing and Shipment
- Compresses Gas Containers
AS 1841- General
Generally, AS1841 is utilized by fire extinguisher companies that are looking to develop their own extinguishers and have them rated.
From a service point of view AS1851 is the standard that explains all the ins and outs of fire testing while AS2444 is the installation standard of fire extinguishers. A building certifier or fire portables certifier will determine the location of the portable equipment, along with the risk and volume of potential fire risk. Legislation in all Australian states requires a competent person to complete this.
Fire professionals Terminology
Common definitions that Professional Fire Technicians use to explain equipment;
- Anti-tamper seal- A device that indicates visually that an attempt has been made to actuate the extinguisher.
- Control Nozzle- A discharge nozzle incorporating a control mechanism by which the discharge can be interrupted.
- Cylinder- Extinguishant container with attachments
- Extinguisher Size- The mass or volume of extinguishant with which the extinguisher was fire rated.
- Neck Ring- The portion of the cylinder designed to accept the valve or cap.
- Periodic test pressure- The greater of 2.0 MPa or 1.5 times the working pressure.
- Portable Fire Extinguisher- An appliance containing an extinguishant that can be discharged onto a fire by the action of internal pressure.
- Siphon tube- A tube which the extinguishant is conveyed to the valve.
- Skirt- A protective ring attached to or part of the bottom of a fire extinguisher.
- Rechargeable- Capable of being recharged in accordance with AS1851
Do not attempt to install your own fire equipment
as legislation also carries penalties for not being licenced or certified. Fire Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Ongoing Fire Extinguisher Maintenance to AS1851-2012
Once a fire extinguisher has been installed, certified and is in the maintenance period of AS1851- 2012 Section 10, the following testing frequency is required;
- Six monthly
- Annually
- Five Yearly
Each test performed requires a different type of inspection, and different types of extinguishers require different tests. Although water and foam extinguishers are similar, the testing for each does differ.
Due to the risk of injury or even death by incorrect testing of fire extinguishers, it is highly recommended to only use a fire service professional for your routine inspections.
For more information on the Danger of Fire Extinguishers: Fire Extinguisher Danger and Deaths
FCF Fire & Electrical’s recommendation is to purchase from a fire service company. Buying fire extinguishers online does not meet the requirements of AS2444 or AS1851. In many cases, consumers have tried to save a couple of dollars without understanding the fire legislation and as a result end up leaving their businesses, as well as other people and property at risk, also leaving themselves open to litigation or insurance claim rejections.
