Australian Standards for Fire

A list of Australian Standards® relevant to Fire Safety & Protection.
by John Carmichael

Note: There are no free downloads for these standards, they can be obtained online from www.SaiGlobal.com, or the FPA Australia Online Sales Centre.

Please note we do not offer legal advice on whether your custom solution meets the Standards, you need the services of a Fire engineer for that. We can inspect your premises for compliance with the fire standards, and issue an annual fire safety statement.

There are usually three Australian Standards that apply to any fire safety product: one governing how they are constructed, one about how the product is used or installed, and one that indicates how they must be serviced or maintained. So for example fire extinguishers are manufactured according to AS1841, selected and installed to AS 2444, and maintained to AS1851. Fire hose reels are manufactured according to AS1221, installed to AS 2441, and maintained to AS1851. To claim compliance with an Australian standard, you must submit a product to an officially accredited Certification Body approved by the Joint Accreditation System for Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ).

AS/NZS1221	Fire Hose Reels	All our extinguishers and hose reels are also certified by ACTIVFIRE. The CSIRO ActivFire® Scheme is an Australian Government Agency who verify & certify fire products which may be installed into Federal and State Government Departments. All our products are fully compliant and tested by BSI. All our certified products carry the BSI and JAS-ANZ logos, and these two marks ensure that you receive the highest quality products, tested to Australian Standards.
AS 1603	Automatic fire detection and alarm systems
AS/NZS 1668 Set	The use of Ventilation and Air-conditioning in buildings
AS 1670.1-2004	Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems - System design, installation and commissioning - Fire
AS 1682.2-1990	Fire dampers - Installation
AS 1687	Knapsack spray pumps for firefighting
AS/NZS1841	Portable fire extinguishers - requirements for different types eg 1841.5 for Dry Powder
AS 1851	Maintenance of fire protection equipment - Portable fire extinguishers, fire hose reels, and fire blankets
AS 1905	Components for the protection of openings in fire resistant walls - Fire Doors and shutters
AS 1940	The storage and handling of flammable and combustable liquids
AS 2118.1	Automatic fire sprinkler systems - General systems
AS 2419.1-2005	Fire hydrant installations - System design, installation and commissioning
AS 2441	Installation of fire hose reels
AS 2444	Portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets - Selection and location requirements
AS 2941	Fixed fire protection installations - Pumpset systems
AS/NZS3504	Fire blankets
AS 3745	Emergency control organization & procedures for buildings, structures & workplaces
AS 3786	Smoke alarms
AS 3959	Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas
AS 3959	Components for the protection of openings in fire resistant separating elements
AS 4118.1	Fire sprinkler systems - Components
AS 4214	Gaseous fire extinguishing systems
AS 4428.0	Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems - Control and indicating equipment - General requirements and test methods
AS 4587	Water mist fire protection systems - System design installation and commissioning

 

Guidance Documents and Handbooks related to Fire Protection that may be required or recommended by certain regulatory authorities.

AS 1905.1-2005	Components for the protection of openings in fire-resistant walls - Fire-resistant doorsets
AS 2118.2-2010	Automatic fire sprinkler systems - Drencher systems
AS 2118.3-2010	Automatic fire sprinkler systems - Deluge systems
AS 4655-2005	Fire safety audits
HB 20-1996	Graphical symbols for fire protection drawings
HB 46-2010	Fire Safety in the Home
HB 147-2000	Sprinklers simplified
HB 330-2009	Living in bushfire-prone areas

Useful links and relevant Australian fire safety organsations

IFE Australia	The Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) is the international qualifying organisation and learned society for fire engineering, firefighting and fire safety professionals. IFE is at the heart of the international fire and emergency community, promoting best practice and advancing the discipline for the benefit of society and supporting the professional development of members.
PFPA	The Passive Fire Protection Alliance (PFPA) was established to promote the installation and maintenance of the systems and components that provide passive fire protection in the built environment.
FPA Australia	Fire Protection Association (FPA) Australia is Australia’s major technical and educational fire safety organisation. It provides a central source of information and services to promote the protection of life, assets and the environment in Australia
AFAC	The Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) is the industry body for fire, land management and emergency service organisations in Australia and New Zealand
UFUA	The United Firefighters Union Australia (UFUA) represents more than 13,000 firefighters across Australian in continued campaigns to achieve improved working conditions for the men and women who confront dangerous and often life-threatening situations in their daily work.
CSIRO	Apart from gaining ever more knowledge of the combustion process itself, CSIRO takes a proactive role in fire safety and control, initiating technological innovation in: material flammability and fire retardants fire growth and control bushfire research.
Australian State Fire services	A listing of the State, Territory and Local Government Fire services in Australia.
Standards Australia	Standards Australia is recognised by the Government as Australia's peak Standards body. It coordinates standardisation activities, develops internationally aligned Australian Standards®, and facilitates the accreditation of other Standards Development Organisations.

Further reading

• What do the fire ratings mean?
• How to Save on Fire Safety Maintenance
• How do Fire Extinguishers Work?
• Where to Locate Fire Extinguishers
• Extinguisher Location Sign Mounting Heights (NSW Fire Brigade)
• Fire Upgrade Assessments (Manly Council)
• Fire Extinguisher Pressure Testing- A Guide for Building Services Managers
• Regulations for Transporting Diesel