Fire safety is a critical aspect of building management, and in New South Wales (NSW), the Australian Standard AS 1851-2012 plays a pivotal role in ensuring the routine service of fire protection systems and equipment. This standard, which will become mandatory from February 13, 2025, outlines comprehensive guidelines for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of essential fire safety measures.
What is Australian Standard AS 1851?
Australian Standard 1851-2012 is the most recent Australian Standard for the routine service of fire protection systems and equipment. It serves as a detailed instruction manual for competent personnel, specifying how often each fire safety measure should be inspected and the exact steps to undertake during each inspection. This standard covers a wide range of fire safety equipment, including smoke alarms, fire hydrants, sprinklers, pump sets, and fire detection systems.
Legislative Changes incorporating AS 1851-2012
The legislation mandating AS1851 in NSW was introduced in December 2022, with full enforcement starting in February 2025. This change means that building owners have a legal requirement to maintain their fire safety measures in accordance with AS1851. Previously, many fire protection companies used AS1851 as a guideline rather than a strict requirement, leading to varied maintenance practices.
Impact on Building Owners
For building owners, the implementation of AS1851 will bring several changes. Maintenance regimes will become more stringent, and this means potentially increasing costs. For example, replacing 10-year-old smoke alarms, which was previously a recommendation, will now be mandatory under the yearly testing regime. However, these changes are expected to enhance overall fire safety, providing a higher level of protection for building occupants.
Record Keeping Requirements
AS1851 places significant emphasis on record keeping. All servicing must be recorded onsite via physical logbooks, maintenance tags, or stickers. These records must be meticulously maintained and stored for seven years, ensuring that there is a clear history of all maintenance activities. This requirement places the onus on building owners to ensure that their contractors are complying with the standard.
Major Servicing Intervals
In addition to regular monthly, six-monthly, and annual inspections, AS1851 introduces mandatory major servicing intervals at 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 25 years, and 30 years for certain fire safety measures. These major services are designed to ensure that all components of the fire protection systems are functioning correctly and can handle the demands of an actual fire emergency.
The introduction of AS1851 as a mandatory standard in NSW marks a significant step forward in fire safety. While it may bring additional responsibilities and costs for building owners, the ultimate goal is to create safer environments for everyone. By adhering to the detailed guidelines of AS1851, building owners can ensure that their fire protection systems are always in optimal working condition, ready to protect lives and property in the event of a fire.
REDMEN: your AS 1851 solution provider
REDMEN Fire Protection Management is a NSW based fire protection services company and we know the industry inside and out. With offices in Sydney, Newcastle and the NSW Central Coast, we have hundreds of years of combined experience in fire protection. We have tracked the evolution of fire standards and legislation, and even been instrumental in their development.
Our AS 1851 expert staff will provide a free walk-around to make sure that you are compliant with the legislation, and not at risk of legal jeopardy. There are severe financial penalties for non compliance. Just contact us today and we can set up an appointment today and we will be able to set your mind at ease.
