Class 1 Homes: Deadlock Danger
This article explores the safety gap between NCC Volume 1 and 2, warning that while double-sided deadlocks are legal in Class 1 homes (dwellings), however they may pose a life-threatening trap by preventing safe keyless exit/egress during an emergency.
Chief Officer's Consent for Building Works (r129)
When applying for a building permit in Victoria, certain fire safety matters that do not comply with the Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) provisions of the National Construction Code (NCC) require special approval. Regulation 129 of the Building Regulations 2018 (Vic) sets out the consent process.
Pink fire-resisting, self-expanding polyurethane foam
Pink self-expanding polyurethane foam can offer application-specific fire resistance for certain gaps or penetrations in fire-rated assemblies. However, to ensure compliance with the required Fire Resistance Level (FRL), these products must be carefully evaluated for suitability, using the manufacturer's application guide and test data. Despite their fire-resisting properties, pink foam should be considered only after evaluating other proven methods—such as ablative coatings, fire-resistant mastics, fire pillows, or elastomeric intumescent foams—which often provide more reliable and well-documented performance.
Visual Inspections of Emergency Lights & Exit Signs
A visual inspection, described in Australian Standard AS 2293.2:2019, is necessary to ensure the compliance and operation of emergency lighting and exit sign systems. These inspections complement automated monitoring by identifying physical faults, non-compliant layouts, and environmental changes that technology is unable to identify, enhancing safety and compliance with the Standard.
What does "compliant" mean in respect to fire safety?
Often a manufacturer of fire safety systems and equipment reference Australian Standards and declare their products as "compliant," what does that really mean? The term "compliant" is more than just a label—it signifies adherence to specific performance, safety, and regulatory requirements.
Annual Essential Safety Measure Reports in Class 2 Apartment Buildings
Part 15 of an Annual Essential Safety Measures Report (AESMR) covers Class 1b, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 building; and Class 4 part of a building; and a place of public entertainment. The AESMR is for the does not apply to a smoke alarm installed in a sole-occupancy unit in a Class 1b or 2 building or a Class 4 part of a building.
Is your fire sprinkler head subject to a product recall?
This article outlines crucial steps for fire contractors in Australia to identify and address vulnerabilities in automatic fire sprinkler heads, ensuring compliance with AS 1851 and leveraging international recall information to enhance fire safety. The information in this article may also be used in other countries for the basis of identifying sprinkler heads that are subject to a mandatory or voluntary product recall.
Residential Buildings: FDCIE Alarm Delay Facility (ADF)
An Alarm Delay Facility (ADFs) may be provided in certain Class 2, 3, and 4 residential buildings, discussing their role in reducing unwanted nuisance fire alarms and the requirements outlined by Australian Standard AS1670.1:2018 for smoke detectors.
Shower steam can cause false alarms
One of the most common causes of false alarms in a building with a bathroom is steam from a hot shower. Steam is an airborne aerosol that from a smoke detectors perspective is very similar to smoke. This can cause a smoke detector to operate unnecessirarly where a bathroom is not well ventilated and a smoke detector is located too cloase to a bathroom door.
AS1670 Access to detectors, control and indicating equipment
Australian Standard AS 1670.1:2008 provides limited guidance to the installation and subsequent access to fire detectors as well as control and indicating equipment. This article covers the requirements in the Standard and follows up with scenarios where limited access to this equipment could adversely affect routine servicing and maintenance.
