When do Adverse Operating Environments apply?

Adverse operating conditions can be found in many industries, including:

• Commercial buildings: Shopping centres, hospitals, and high-traffic office buildings where fire-resisting materials, sealants, fire-pillows, fire collars, fire, smoke and exit doors experience frequent usage, interference, or unplanned damage or tampering.
• Industrial facilities: Warehouses, processing plants, and factories where dust, humidity, ultraviolet light, extreme temperatures, and mechanical vibrations affect fire safety systems, equipment, and emergency and exit light systems.
• Manufacturing plants: Chemical, textile, and food production facilities with corrosive atmospheres and fluctuating environmental conditions.
• Mining operations: Underground tunnels and open-cut mines where water ingress, extreme heat, and dust exposure can damage fire protection equipment.
• Oil and gas facilities: Refineries, offshore platforms, and gas plants with high-risk fire environments due to combustible substances, salt spray, and extreme weather exposure.
• Warehouse and logistics centres: Facilities handling high volumes of materials, with elevated fire risks due to storage density, mechanical handling equipment, and dust accumulation.
• Vehicles and machines: Vehicles and industrial machinery such as food trucks, vans, transport trucks, excavators, etc., are clearly adverse operating environments where dirt, dust, and vibration all play a key factor in increasing the risk of damage that may affect the reliability or operation of fire extinguishers or, in some cases, special-hazard systems.

The following table outlines examples of how adverse environments impact different fire protection systems and what actions service providers should take to comply with AS 1851:2012 Clause 1.13.

• Consider environmental risks and identify exposure factors that could adversely affect the performance or operation of fire protection systems and/or equipment.
• Subject to the risk posed by an adverse operating environment, consider more frequent inspections and/or functional testing to ensure the reliability of fire protection systems and equipment in accordance with the Objective, Clause 1.2 of AS 1851:2012.
• Apply Clause 10.2.3 for Fire Extinguishers – Conduct five-yearly servicing every three years for extinguishers in adverse environments unless they are adequately protected.
• Where equipment is exposed to an advserse operating environment, consider controls such as protective caminets or alternate forms of construction or materials (i.e. 316 stainless steel) to help prevent the affect of the adverse conditions.
• Where necessary implement proactive maintenance (in addition to AS 1851) this may include the use of products or protective measures that prolong the integrity of the item of equipment or measure despite the adverse operating environment.
• Collaborate with building certifiers our building surveyors and building owners to create a site-specific service plan, consistent with the relevant legislative maintenance requirements in each state or territory.
• Document the changes and routine service modifications and adjustments, such that they may be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.

Adverse operating environments may significantly impact the reliability of fire protection systems.

Clause 1.13 of AS 1851:2012 emphasises the need for service providers and responsible entities to adapt their maintenance programs accordingly.

By identifying adverse conditions, increasing service frequencies, and implementing additional preventative maintenance strategies, including increased inspection frequencies building owners and managers can ensure the reliability of their fire protection systems and equipment such that they continue to meet the requirements of the approved design.