AS 1851 15 1997 maintenance of fire protection equipment l

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AS 1851.15-1997 Maintenance of fire protection equipment - Local fire alarm systems

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AS 1851.15—1997

Australian Standard

Maintenance of fire protection
equipment

Part 15: Local fire alarm systems


This Australian Standard was prepared by Committee FP/2, Fire Detection,
Warning, Control and Intercom Systems. It was approved on behalf of the Council

of Standards Australia on 3 October 1997 and published on 5 December 1997.

The following interests are represented on Committee FP/2:
Audio Engineering Society
Australian Building Codes Board
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Australian Chamber of Manufactures
Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Association
Australasian Fire Authorities Council
Commonwealth Fire Board
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Deafness Forum of Australia
Department of Defence
Fire Protection Association Australia
Fire Protection Industry Contractors Association of New Zealand
Insurance Council of Australia
National Electrical Contractors Association of Australia
New Zealand Fire Equipment Association
New Zealand Fire Protection Association
Property Council of Australia
Scientific Services Laboratory AGAL — Department of Administrative Affairs
Telstra Corporation

Review of Australian Standards. To keep abreast of progress in industry, Australian Standards are
subject to periodic review and are kept up to date by the issue of amendments or new editions as
necessary. It is important therefore that Standards users ensure that they are in possession of the latest
editi on, and any amendments thereto.
Full details of all Australian Standards and related publications will be found in the Standards Australia
Catalogue of Publi cations; this information is supplemented each month by the magazine ‘The

Australian Standard’, which subscribing members receive, and which gives details of new publications,
new editions and amendments, and of withdrawn Standards.
Suggestions for improvements to Australian Standards, addressed to the head office of Standards
Australia, are welcomed. Noti fication of any inaccuracy or ambiguity found in an Australian Standard
should be made wit hout delay in order that the matter may be investigated and appropriate action taken.

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 95150.


AS 1851.15—1997

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Australian Standard
Maintenance of fire protection
equipment
Part 15: Local fire alarm systems

First published as AS 1851.15—1997.

PUBLISHED BY STANDARDS AUSTRALIA
(STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA)
1 THE CRESCENT, HOMEBUSH, NSW 2140
ISBN 0 7337 1605 9


AS 1851.15—1997

2

PREFACE
This Standard was prepared by the Joint Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand
Committee FP/2, Fire Detection, Warning, Control and Intercom Systems, and is the result
of a consensus among representatives on the Joint Committee to produce it as an
Australian Standard.
The relevant regulatory authority may have specific requirements, relating to the
maintenance of fire and life safety systems, that vary in content from the procedures
contained within this Standard. Where this situation pertains the local authority
requirements take precedence.

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The terms ‘normative’ and ‘informative’ have been used in this Standard to define the
application of the appendix to which they apply. A ‘normative’ appendix is an integral
part of a Standard, whereas an ‘informative’ appendix is only for information and
guidance.

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3

AS 1851.15—1997

CONTENTS

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Page
SECTION 1 SCOPE AND GENERAL
1.1 SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4
4
4

SECTION 2 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
2.1 MAINTENANCE OF INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2 RECORDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5
5

SECTION 3 PROCEDURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6

SECTION 4 MAINTENANCE DOCUMENTATION
4.1 GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.2 RECORD SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8
8

APPENDICES
A FIRE DETECTOR TESTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
B LOCAL FIRE ALARM SYSTEM LOGBOOK REPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
C DETECTOR TEST RECORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11


AS 1851.15—1997

4

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA
Australian Standard
Maintenance of fire protection equipment
Part 15: Local fire alarm systems
S E C T I O N

1

S CO P E

A N D

G E NE R A L

1.1 SCOPE This Standard sets out the requirements for the regular maintenance of
local fire detection and alarm systems designed and installed in accordance with
AS 1670.1 and AS 1670.2. Regular maintenance includes inspection and testing
procedures.

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1.2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS The following documents are referred to in this
Standard:
AS
1603
1603.1
1603.2
1603.3
1670

Automatic fire detection and alarm systems
Part 1: Heat detectors
Part 2: Point type smoke detectors
Part 3: Heat alarms

1670.1
1670.2

Automatic fire detection and alarm systems— System design, installation and
commissioning
Part 1: Fire
Part 2: Local fire

2484
2484.2

Fire— Glossary of terms
Part 2: Fire protection and firefighting equipment

3786

Smoke alarms

4428

Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems— Control and indicating
equipment
Part 1: Fire

4428.1

1.3 DEFINITIONS For the purposes of this Standard, the definitions in AS 4428.1
and AS 2484.2 apply.

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S E C T I O N

2

G EN E R AL

AS 1851.15—1997

R E Q UI R E M E N T S

2.1 MAINTENANCE OF INSTALLATION The local fire detection and alarm system
shall be inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with the relevant procedures
given in Section 3.
Regular maintenance shall be carried out at six-monthly intervals.
NOTES:
1

Maintenance should be carried out only by persons having qualifications and experience
suitable for the particular work on which they are engaged.

2

The equipment manufacturer may have additional requirements beyond that specified in this
Standard.

3

The arrangements for maintenance should be such as would ensure that a person is available
and on call at all times to provide service in the event of any fault development at the

installation.

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2.2 RECORDS All system attendances, e.g. inspection, testing and maintenance
procedures, shall be systematically recorded by date in a log. In addition, the owner,
manager or their agent shall be notified of such inspection, testing and maintenance.

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AS 1851.15—1997

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S E C T I O N

3

P RO C E D UR E S

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Maintenance procedures shall be performed six-monthly, as follows:
(a)

Check that items previously recorded as requiring attention have been attended to,
and record the reason if corrective actions have not been completed.

(b)

Ensure that the local fire indicator panel (LFIP) is easily accessible.

(c)

Check that the LFIP is in a clean and operational condition, and effectively dustsealed.

(d)

Visually inspect the LFIP components for any evidence of deterioration.

(e)

Ensure spare glasses for manual call points and a tool for replacing such glasses, if
applicable, are available from the person responsible for the fire alarm system.

(f)

Check condition of battery enclosure for corrosion and ensure the batteries are
stored in a safe and secure condition.

(g)

Check all battery terminals. If more than 2 years has elapsed since date of
manufacture of the battery either replace the battery or perform a discharge test. If
capacity is found to be less than 80% of the required capacity, replace the battery.

(h)

Check the power supply supervision alarm, if applicable, by disconnecting all power

supplies to the LFIP, including battery supplies.

(i)

Check that all visual indicators are operating correctly, including those on mimic or
repeater panels.

(j)

Check the operation of all aural and visual indicators external to the LFIP.

(k)

Test each alarm zone facility to confirm its ability to operate.

(l)

Check the operation of all ancillary control facilities and ensure that each controlled
device can be correctly initiated.

(m)

Simulate fault conditions on all alarm zones to ensure that fault indicators, both
aural and visual where applicable, are operating correctly from each alarm zone
facility according to the following procedure:
(i)

For 2 wire actuating devices Remove at least one actuating device on each
alarm zone circuit and confirm the fault signal is registered at the appropriate
alarm zone facility.

(ii)

For AS 3786 smoke alarms, and AS 1603.3 heat alarms (3 and 4 wire
actuation devices with separate power supply circuit) Disconnect the power
supply from the furthermost connected unit in each zone and confirm the
fault signal is registered at the appropriate alarm zone facility.

(n)

Visually inspect all actuating and output devices for any condition which is likely to
adversely affect their operation, such as excessive depositing of dust, coating of
paint or mechanical damage.

(o)

Check operation of all manual call points, where installed.

(p)

Test 50% of detectors complying with AS 1603.1 and AS 1603.2 six-monthly so
that all detectors shall have been tested in a 12 month period.
Check AS 3786 smoke alarms and AS 1603.3 heat alarms every six months.
Where a detector has not been tested in situ, activate it upon its reinstallation to
cause an alarm at the alarm zone facility.
Clearly mark and report in the log actuating devices that fail to operate.
For requirements for detector testers see Appendix A.
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AS 1851.15—1997

Check for any building alterations, changes in the environment, or utilization of the
protected area which would require modifications to the system.

(r)

Ensure that all controls are returned to the normal condition.

(s)

Record in the log the results of all maintenance procedures, including items
requiring corrective action, adjustment, modification and the like. Notify the owner,
manager or their agent of any deficiencies within the installation.

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(q)

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AS 1851.15—1997

8

S E C T I O N 4
M AI N T E N AN C E

D O C UM EN T A TI ON
4.1 GENERAL Documentation to facilitate the maintenance procedures set out in
Section 3 includes the following:
(a)

Installer’s statement, ‘as-installed’ diagrams, and commissioning test report prepared
on durable, good quality paper, clearly legible and bound into an owner’s manual.

(b)

Operator’s instructions as specified in AS 4428.1.

(c)

Log.

The above maintenance documentation shall be kept in a secure location by the person on
site who is responsible for the local fire alarm system. Such documentation shall be
readily available for use by service personnel.

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The documentation shall describe the actual state of the installation as it currently exists,
including all modifications and additions made to the installation. The relevant records
shall be updated, i.e. installer’s statement, as-installed diagrams, operator’s instructions,
and the like.
4.2

RECORD SYSTEM

4.2.1 General A maintenance record system shall be provided to sequentially register
all known alarms, faults, disconnection, discharges and all maintenance and inspection
procedures carried out so that there is a composite record of all events related to the
installation. It shall include the following:
(a)

Name of owner or agent.

(b)

Name of maintenance organization.

(c)

Identification of the system.

(d)

Details of all maintenance procedures.
NOTE: See Appendix B.

(e)

A ‘report’ section for attendances apart from maintenance procedures.

4.2.2 Logbook Where a log book is used, it shall be substantially bound (not in looseleaf format) and shall have numbered pages in triplicate. The log book shall include the
signatures of the owner or agent, and service person. A required distribution of copies
printed on each page shall be as follows:
(a)

Original

Owner/occupier/agent.

(b)

Duplicate

Service person.

(c)

Triplicate

Retain in book.

The maintenance record system shall be available for inspection at all times.
4.2.3 Electronic log Where an electronic log is used it shall be readily accessible on
site and a duplicate log shall be kept in a secure location off site.

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AS 1851.15—1997

APPENDIX A

FIRE DETECTOR TESTERS

(Normative)
A1 SCOPE This Appendix sets out requirements for devices for the testing of the
detectors, smoke alarms or heat alarms installed in local fire detection and alarm systems.
A2 REQUIREMENTS Device(s) for the testing of fire detectors, smoke alarms or heat
alarms (actuating devices) shall not adversely affect the operation of the device under test
or change its sensitivity. Such fire detector testers shall not produce a fire risk, i.e.
contain a naked flame or ember not enclosed.
Tester(s) and test methods shall be used that are acceptable to the actuating device
manufacturer to assess the response characteristics of the actuating device. The actuating
device, as tested, shall operate within the limits of response characteristics, e.g. operating
times, specified by the detector manufacturer. Such limits shall be representative of
expected response for actuating devices commensurate with manufacturing tolerances and
operational factors.
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Testers should be of robust construction, designed for transportability and ease of use.
NOTES:
1

For non-resettable heat detectors, an in situ test may not be appropriate. In such cases, it is
recommended that an appropriate number of detectors be replaced each year, so that all
detectors are replaced over a 5 year period.

2

For a typical detector record, see Appendix C.

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AS 1851.15—1997

10

APPENDIX B

LOCAL FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
LOGBOOK REPORT
(Informative)

MONTH/YE AR
INSP EC TION , TESTING, AND MAINTEN AN CE PR OCED UR ES
Premises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Maintenance organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NO TE: Give details of all unsatisfactory items in report section. Refer to owner’s manual for
commissioning test report.
Place
in box where item is satisfactory
Place X in box where item is unsatisfactory
SIX MONTHLY
CH ECK ED
CH ECK ED
Correction of items previously recorded for
Alarm zones facility operation
action
Ensure LFIP easily accessible

Correct operation of all ancillary control
facilities
Check LFIP is clean, operational and effectively
Fault condition simulation on all alarm zones
sealed
and ensure:
CIE inspection of components for deterioration
•
Fault annunciators operative
Operation of MCPs
•
Aural/visual indication applicable
Spare glasses for MCP s
Visually inspect all actuating and output
devices
Condition of battery cabinet and battery storage
Actuating device testing as appropriate
Battery conditions and terminals
Enter results on detector test record
Check power supply supervision alarm
Modifications to the system—
Visual indicators operating correctly
•
Actuating device
All warning devices operating
•
Building modifications
correctly
All controls returned to normal condition
RE PO RT(S):

SIGN ED :

SE RV ICE PER SO N:
For owner or agent

Print name

DA TE:
Signature

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AS 1851.15—1997

APPENDIX C

DETECTOR TEST RECORD
(Informative)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1
Refer to ‘As Installed’ drawings for detector identification.
2

Report faulty detectors in logbook.

3

Tick box for detectors complying with response limits specified below. Cross box for detectors
not complying with response limits.

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Date

Alarm
zone

Service
person
print name
and sign

Detectors

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

REQUIRED RESPONSE CHARACTERISTICS
Fill in the limits of response characteristics specified by the detector manufacturer
for the type of detector tester used (see Appendix B).
Specified response limits
Type of detector

Reference
Lower limit

Upper limit

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