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