AS 1670 6 1997 fire detection, warning, control and intercom

Title AS 1670.6-1997 Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems - System design, installation and commissioning - Smoke alarms Licensee Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Conditions of use This is a licensed electronic copy of a document where copyright is owned or managed by Standards Australia International Your licence is a single user licence and the document may not be stored, transferred or otherwise distributed on a network You may also make one paper copy of this document if required Web Check-up AS 1670.6—1997 Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited Australian Standard Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems— System design, installation and commissioning Part 6: Smoke alarms 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 18 October 1996 and published on January 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 Construction Services — Department of Administrative Services Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Association Australian Fire Authorities Council Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited Australian Fire Protection Association Building Owners and Managers Association of Australia Commonwealth Fire Board CSIRO — Division of Building, Construction and Engineering Deafness Forum of Australia Department of Defence Fire Protection Industry Association of Australia Insurance Council of Australia National Electrical Contractors Association of Australia New Zealand Fire Equipment Association New Zealand Fire Protection Association New Zealand Fire Protection Industry Contractors Association 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 publi cations will be found in the Standards Australi a Catalogue of Publi cations; this information is supplemented each month by the magazine ‘The Australian Standard’, which subscribing members receive, and which gives detail s of new publications, new editions and amendments, and of withdrawn Standards Suggestions for improvements to Australi an Standards, addressed to the head off ice of Standards Australia, are welcomed Notif ication of any inaccuracy or ambiguity found in an Australian Standard should be made wit hout delay in order that the matt er may be investigated and appropriate acti on taken This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 96002 AS 1670.6 —1997 Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited Australian Standard Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems—System design, installation and commissioning Part 6: Smoke alarms PUBLISHED BY STANDARDS AUSTRALIA (STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA) THE CRESCENT, HOMEBUSH, NSW 2140 ISBN 7337 0814 AS 1670.6 — 1997 PREFACE This Standard was prepared by the Joint Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand Committee FP/2 on Fire Detection, Warning, Control and Intercom Systems, to facilitate the installation and commissioning of smoke alarms in domestic residential situations and is the result of a consensus among the representatives on the Joint Committee to produce it as an Australian Standard Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited The term ‘informative’ has been used in this Standard to define the application of the appendix to which it applies An ‘informative’ appendix is only for information and guidance  Copyright STANDARDS AUSTRALIA Users of Standards are reminded that copyright subsists in all Standards Australi a publications and software Except where the Copyri ght Act allows and except where provided for below no publi cati ons or software produced by Standards Austr alia may be reproduced, stored in a retri eval system in any form or transmitt ed by any means wit hout prior permission in writ ing from Standards Austr alia Permission may be conditi onal on an appropri ate royalty payment Requests for permission and informati on on commercial soft ware royalt ies should be dir ected to the head off ice of Standards Australi a Standards Austr alia wil l permit up to 10 percent of the technical content pages of a Standard to be copied for use exclusively in-house by purchasers of the Standard without payment of a royalty or advice to Standards Austr alia Standards Austr alia will also permit the inclusion of its copyri ght material in computer soft ware programs for no royalt y payment provided such programs are used exclusively in-house by the creators of the programs Care should be taken to ensure that material used is fr om the current editi on of the Standard and that it is updated whenever the Standard is amended or revised The number and date of the Standard should therefore be clearly identif ied The use of materi al in pri nt form or in computer software programs to be used commerciall y, wit h or wit hout payment, or in commercial contr acts is subject to the payment of a royalt y This policy may be varied by Standards Australi a at any ti me 3 AS 1670.6 — 1997 CONTENTS Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited Page SECTION SCOPE AND GENERAL 1.1 SCOPE 1.2 APPLICATION 1.3 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS 1.4 DEFINITIONS 1.5 COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER STANDARDS 1.6 INTERPRETATION OF SPECIFIED LIMITING VALUES 4 4 4 SECTION INSTALLATION AND COMMISSIONING 2.1 LOCATION OF SMOKE ALARMS 2.2 ALARM SIGNALS 2.3 INTERCONNECTION 2.4 WIRING 2.5 MOUNTING 2.6 COMMISSIONING 5 6 6 APPENDICES A FIRE AND DETECTION CHARACTERISTICS B INSTALLATION GUIDE 10 C MAINTENANCE 18 First published as AS 1670.6— 1997 AS 1670.6 — 1997 STANDARDS AUSTRALIA Australian Standard Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems— System design, installation and commissioning Part 6: Smoke alarms S E C T I O N S CO P E A N D G E NE R A L 1.1 SCOPE This Standard sets out the requirements for the installation and commissioning of smoke alarms which comply with the requirements of AS 3786 This Standard includes information on the selection, installation and maintenance of smoke alarms Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited 1.2 APPLICATION This Standard applies to smoke alarms installed in single dwellings 1.3 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS The following documents are referred to in this Standard: AS 2706 Numerical values — Rounding and interpretation of limiting values 3000 Electrical installations —Buildings, structures and premises (known as the SAA Wiring Rules) 3786 Smoke alarms SAA HB46 Guide to residential fire safety 1.4 DEFINITIONS For the purpose of this Standard, the definitions given below apply 1.4.1 Multiple station smoke alarm — a smoke alarm with interconnection facilities for common alarm communication 1.4.2 Single station smoke alarm — a smoke alarm not intended to be interconnected with other units for common alarm purposes 1.4.3 Smoke alarm — a device containing a smoke detector and an alarm sounding device 1.5 COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER STANDARDS The smoke alarm installation shall comply with the appropriate electrical safety requirements specified in AS 3000 NOTE: To minimize false alarms caused by electrical interference and for ease of maintenance, it is recommended that smoke alarms connected to low voltage are wired to a dedicated circuit 1.6 INTERPRETATION OF SPECIFIED LIMITING VALUES For the purpose of assessing compliance with this Standard, the specified values herein shall be interpreted in accordance with the ‘rounding method’ described in AS 2706, i.e the observed or calculated value shall be rounded to the same number of figures as in the specified limiting value and then compared with the specified limiting value For example, for specified limiting values of 2.5, 2.50 and 2.500, the observed or calculated value would be rounded to the nearest 0.1, 0.01 and 0.001 respectively COPYRIGHT S E C T I O N I N S T AL L A T I O N C O M MI S S I O N I N G 2.1 AS 1670.6 — 1997 A N D LOCATION OF SMOKE ALARMS 2.1.1 General Smoke alarms shall be located on or near the ceiling On levels containing bedrooms a smoke alarm shall be located between each area containing bedrooms and the remainder of the dwelling Where the bedroom area is served by a hallway, the smoke alarm shall be located in that hallway NOTE: For information on fire and detection characteristics, see Appendix A 2.1.2 Multi-level Where the dwelling is multi-level, at least one smoke alarm shall be located on each level such that the egress path from each level is protected All smoke alarms shall be interconnected 2.1.3 Sloping ceilings Smoke alarms in rooms with ceiling slopes greater than in shall be located at the high side of the ceiling Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited 2.1.4 Dead air spaces Smoke alarms shall not be located in the following areas: (a) Within 300 mm of a light fitting (b) In dead air spaces as shown in Figure 2.2 2.1.5 Joists and beams On ceilings with exposed joists or beams with a depth not exceeding 300 mm, smoke alarms may be located on the underside of the joist or beam 2.1.6 Stairwells Smoke alarms installed in stairwells shall be located to ensure that smoke rising in the stairwell is not prevented from reaching the smoke alarm by a door or other obstruction 2.1.7 Forced air circulation In areas provided with airconditioning or forced air ventilation, smoke alarms shall not be installed closer than 400 mm to any supply air opening Smoke alarm locations shall be chosen to take account of the airflow towards return air openings Where ceiling fans are installed smoke alarms shall not be installed within 400 mm of the blades of the fan 2.1.8 Environmental conditions Smoke alarms shall not be located in areas where the environmental conditions exceed the manufacturer’s operating parameters 2.2 ALARM SIGNALS 2.2.1 Aural alarm signals Smoke alarms shall be installed to ensure that the aural signal is clearly audible in all bedrooms of the dwelling over the background noise normally encountered, with all intervening doors closed For audible signals intended to arouse sleeping occupants, the sound pressure level of the signals shall be not less than 75 dBA when measured at the sleeping position NOTES: A sound pressure level of not less than 75 dBA and 15 dB above expected ambient noise levels (air conditioners and the like) at the bed should be sufficient to awaken an average sleeping person (see Paragraph B5 of Appendix B) Appendix B provides a step-by-step guide to the selection of smoke alarms, and to the location in which they will achieve adequate performance 2.2.2 Visual alarm signals Visual alarm signals shall be installed where it is required to alert persons who are hearing impaired or in areas of high ambient noise levels 2.2.3 Other sensory alarm signals Where the alarm signals specified in Clauses 2.2.1 and 2.2.2 are not adequate, other types of sensory stimulating alarm devices may be used COPYRIGHT AS 1670.6 — 1997 2.3 INTERCONNECTION Smoke alarms shall only be interconnected to compatible devices in accordance to the manufacturer’s requirements Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited Typical field wiring with interconnections are shown in Figure 2.1 FIGURE 2.1 TYPICAL FIELD WIRING 2.4 WIRING Field wiring for smoke alarms on dedicated circuits shall generally be carried out in 16/0.20 stranded wire for externally d.c powered units and 1.0 mm2 cable for 240 V a.c powered units Where connected to existing circuits the cable size shall be the same as the circuit to which the connection is made 2.5 MOUNTING Smoke alarms shall be mounted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, with the aperture for smoke entry not less than 25 mm below the ceiling surface when mounted on the ceiling 2.6 COMMISSIONING Smoke alarms shall be commissioned in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions The correct operation and adequacy of the sound intensity of each smoke alarm shall be checked Where the smoke alarm system performs additional functions such as the alarm operation of interconnected devices and the operation of escape lights, the additional functions shall not adversely affect the operation of the system NOTES: To enhance fire safety in the home refer to Handbook SAA HB46 Appendix C provides information on the maintenance of smoke alarms COPYRIGHT Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES FIGURE 2.2 DEAD AIR SPACES COPYRIGHT AS 1670.6 — 1997 AS 1670.6 — 1997 APPENDIX A FIRE AND DETECTION CHARACTERISTICS (Informative) A1 GENERAL Fire is a leading cause of accidental death Residential occupancies account for most fire fatalities and most of these deaths occur at night during the sleeping hours Statistics indicate that a family will experience one serious fire every generation Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited Due to the variety of combustibles and conditions in the family home the nature of fires will vary widely Following ignition, a fire may break out in flames almost immediately or smoulder for several hours before breaking out in flames Some types of detectors are more appropriate than others for specific types of fires and consideration should be given to smoke alarm selection A2 FIRE GROWTH During the smouldering stage, a fire will release a small amount of heat, possibly toxic gases, and airborne matter in a variety of particle sizes Particulate matter and toxic fume inhalation is the most common cause of death in house fires Following the onset of flaming, the fire will grow in size and spread rapidly, fuelled by the surrounding combustible material and the heat produced by the fire The rate of fire spread in any specific case will depend on the flammability of interior contents, including furnishings, the surface materials of ceilings, walls and floors, and the oxygen supply During the flaming stage, with adequate air supply various gases and particulate matter released will be approximately proportional to the fire size Where the air supply is restricted, as may be the case in a closed living unit, oxygen depletion will occur and carbon monoxide production will increase as the fire grows A3 FIRE BY-PRODUCTS The most threatening by-product of a fire and one of special consideration where fire deaths are concerned is carbon monoxide All materials, when burned, release carbon monoxide — some synthetic materials at much higher rates Test fires of simulated living rooms show that furniture upholstered with polyurethane foam is capable of producing lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide within one or two minutes of ignition Carbon monoxide interferes with the ability of blood to carry oxygen to the brain, causing confusion, disorientation and unconsciousness A person exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide would be unconscious after a few breaths and death would follow in one to three minutes The carbon monoxide given off from a fire could be likened to pumping a car exhaust into the home At a certain stage of the fire, the cumulative effects of overheated air, toxic gases and oxygen deficiency will overcome any occupants Since the time available for escape is dependent on the stage at which the fire is detected and on the rate of fire spread, maximum protection is achieved by detection of the fire at its earliest stage A4 ALARM SELECTION A4.1 General The object of any smoke alarm is to provide early warning of a fire in order to maximize escape time Whilst attempting to reach the same objective, different detection principles, such as ionization or photoelectric, behave differently In deciding which type to install, consideration needs to be given to the likely type of fire (smouldering or fast flaming) and therefore the type of particulate matter and gases to be detected The ambient conditions and the likelihood of the installation creating an unacceptable level of nuisance alarms should also be considered A mixture of alarm types may be required to optimize detection results COPYRIGHT AS 1670.6 — 1997 A4.2 Principle of operation Smoke alarms respond to the smouldering state of a fire by detecting the airborne particulate matter from the fire before significant heat build-up occurs Results of full-scale fire tests in actual dwellings indicate that smoke alarms provided sufficient time for evacuation from the dwelling For these reasons, the installation of smoke alarms in the vicinity of sleeping areas is recommended as the primary means of providing an alarm signal (see Appendix B) Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited A4.3 Ionization smoke alarms Ionization smoke alarms respond to a sufficiently wide range of fires to be of general use and are particularly responsive to fast flaming fires where little visible smoke may occur They are generally less troubled by dust or insect contamination, are generally more prone to nuisance alarms due to fumes from cooking and portable gas or oil heaters, which may lead to the alarm being disconnected by the user, and are slower to respond to smoke produced by slow smouldering fires than are photoelectric types A4.4 Photoelectric smoke alarms Photoelectric smoke alarms sense visible smoke particles They respond to a sufficiently wide range of fires to be of general use and are particularly responsive to smouldering fires and the dense smoke given off by foam-filled furnishings or overheated PVC wiring Photoelectric smoke alarms are generally less prone to nuisance alarms from cooking but may be more prone to nuisance alarms caused by airborne condensate, dust or insect contamination They contain no radioactive material Mesh screens may reduce insect ingress, but it is impossible to make the alarms dust proof, as they would then be unable to sample the air For this reason it is important that photoelectric smoke alarms are kept clean A4.5 Heat alarms and heat detectors As an addition to the installation of smoke alarms, heat alarms or detectors provide a method of fire detection in locations where detection is considered advisable, yet the installation of a smoke alarm is inappropriate or would cause an unacceptable level of nuisance alarms Examples may include enclosed laundries or kitchens Heat alarms or detectors are not a substitute for smoke alarms; they are not sensitive to smoke, but in a closed room with a vigorous fire they may respond faster than a remotely located smoke alarm A heat alarm or detector must be interconnected to any smoke alarms so that the alarm can be heard throughout the building Heat alarms or detectors require the least maintenance of any alarm and are less affected by contamination COPYRIGHT AS 1670.6 — 1997 10 APPENDIX B INSTALLATION GUIDE (Informative) B1 GENERAL The purpose of installing smoke alarms is to provide early warning of a potentially life threatening condition and provide the maximum possible exit time Whether due to personal preference or ambient conditions, additional alarms should be considered B2 DEAD AIR SPACES The smoke and heat generated by a fire generally rise, spread out and begin to bank down from the ceiling The corner where the ceiling and wall meet is an air space into which the smoke may have difficulty penetrating In most fires this dead space measures approximately 0.3 m across the ceiling and 0.1 m down the wall from the corner A dead air space will also be found at the apex of a sloping ceiling Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited Dead air spaces may also be found between joists and beams Smoke alarms must not be placed in these dead air spaces While the preferred location of smoke alarms is on the ceiling, in some instances it may be necessary to mount them on a wall to avoid dead air spaces Where the ceiling temperature is significantly different from the temperature of air below, such as where the space above the ceiling is open to the outside with little insulation over the ceiling, or where a ceiling mount is not feasible, the smoke should be located on the wall Where exterior walls are uninsulated, the smoke should be located on an interior wall space or no alarm alarm B3 AIRFLOW A smoke alarm will detect a fire when the concentration of airborne particulate matter at the device reaches the alarm threshold level Under adverse ambient airflow conditions, these products may not reach a smoke alarm until the fire has developed sufficient heat to overcome the ambient air movement pattern Dilution and adverse air movement patterns may be caused by forced air ventilation systems, hot air circulating heating systems, airconditioning systems, and movement of outside air through open doors and windows In a rapidly spreading fire this may result in insufficient time for escape B4 ADDITIONAL SMOKE ALARMS B4.1 General In the absence of ambient air movement, detection of a fire by an alarm located outside the room of fire origin will be delayed by the restrictions on the movement of the fire products to other areas of the dwelling The optimum may be the installation of a smoke alarm in each room of a dwelling and their interconnection will reduce the delay in raising an alarm B4.2 Bedrooms If the bedrooms accommodate a smoker or contain heaters, electric blankets or other devices which may be a source of a fire, smoke alarms should be installed in such bedrooms to provide earlier warning The recommended smoke alarm for bedroom applications is the photoelectric type B4.3 Doors The practice of closing doors within the dwelling is recommended as these can act as a heat and smoke barrier effectively dividing the dwelling into ‘fire zones’ There are documented case histories where a closed door has saved lives in a fire If this practice is adopted, the closed door may delay or prevent products of combustion reaching a smoke alarm At least one smoke alarm should be located in each ‘fire zone’ and all smoke alarms should be interconnected COPYRIGHT 11 AS 1670.6 — 1997 TABLE B1 Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR SMOKE ALARMS Key considerations for REQ UIRE D smoke alarms (a) How many levels in the dwelling without bedrooms? (b) How many clustered bedroom areas? Number of smoke alarms Key considerations for ADD ITIONA L smoke alarms Yes (tick) (c) No (tick) Follow the flowchart in Figure B1 for each bedroom: Bedroom Bedroom Bedroom Bedroom Bedroom Bedroom Place the number of ‘Yes’ ticks in the right-hand column (d) Are there— (i) any living areas segregated by closed internal doors from the bedrooms? (ii) occupants with special needs (e.g hearing impaired, non-ambulant, infirm, very young)? (iii) other unusual factors which may degrade the effectiveness of the smoke alarm? Place the number of ‘Yes’ ticks in the right-hand column (e) Total number of smoke alarms required * Occupants with special needs may require additional alerting devices other than the integral sounder fitted to a smoke alarm (e.g vibrating devices, strobe lights and air movement devices) COPYRIGHT Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited AS 1670.6 — 1997 12 FIGURE B1 ADDITIONAL SMOKE ALARMS REQUIRED FOR BEDROOMS COPYRIGHT 13 AS 1670.6 — 1997 B4.4 Large residences Smoke alarms located remotely from the bedroom areas may not be loud enough to waken the average person It is recommended that remote smoke alarms be interconnected to those in or adjacent bedrooms The interconnection of multi-station smoke alarms provides a simultaneous alarm throughout the dwelling thereby providing earlier warning For example, if the smoke alarm in the dining room actuates, then the interconnected units in the bedroom area will simultaneously sound to wake sleeping occupants B4.5 Occupants with special needs Consideration should be given to installing a smoke alarm in any room where the occupant, such as an elderly or sick person, or a very young child, is unable to respond quickly to a fire This gives the occupant maximum time to evacuate the dwelling B5 AUDIBLE ALARM LEVEL When assessing the audible alarm level, depending upon the design of the dwelling, the sound level generated by the smoke alarms located in hallways may provide insufficient audible alarm level in bedroom areas Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited Typically, the sound attenuation through closed doors is in the order of 10 dB to 20 dB Therefore, the smoke alarm system may need to be extended to include additional smoke alarms in the affected bedroom areas B6 NUMBER OF SMOKE ALARMS Figure B1 and Table B1 provide installers with a step-by-step approach to the selection of the number of smoke alarms required by Clause 2.1 and recommended in Paragraph B4 B7 SMOKE ALARM LOCATION Table B2 is used to identify locations which may be unsuitable for the reliable operation of a smoke alarm Installers should note the location constraints and reconsider the smoke alarm location or type if a ‘Yes’ answer is given to any of the questions in Table B2 TABLE B2 SMOKE ALARM LOCATION Tick relevant box Location of smoke alarm Yes Is the location— (a) near a stove, furnace, hot water heater or similar device? (b) damp or humid? (c) very hot or very cold? (d) dusty or dirty? (e) near fresh air vents or draughty areas? (f) near an insect infected area? (g) near fluorescent lights? COPYRIGHT No AS 1670.6 — 1997 14 B8 INSTALLATION EXAMPLES B8.1 Three bedroom dwelling Figure B2 shows a design for a typical dwelling Smoke alarms are installed in the living/dining room and hallway associated with bedrooms and The two locations are chosen because the bedroom areas are segregated Warning is provided in the escape paths associated with both bedroom areas An additional consideration for this dwelling is the placement of a photoelectric smoke alarm in the rumpus room When the doors leading from the family/kitchen area are closed, the dwelling is divided into three fire zones, each now with a smoke alarm The choice of a photoelectric alarm in the rumpus room has been made because it is less sensitive to cooking fumes and more sensitive to the dense smoke given off by the furnishings found in rumpus/family rooms With no smoke alarm in this location, a fire could develop to a significant stage before either of the other two smoke alarms operated, particularly if the exit doors were closed The addition of the rumpus/family smoke alarm greatly enhances life safety protection as it provides earlier warning and thereby a greater chance of escape Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited The three alarms should now be interconnected to enable a general alarm to be given throughout the dwelling FIGURE B2 TYPICAL THREE BEDROOM DWELLING B8.2 Long dwelling In a dwelling with a long layout (see Figure B3) one smoke alarm may be located in the hallway adjacent to the bedroom area However, the hallway door potentially divides the dwelling into two fire zones, ‘sleeping area’ and ‘living area’ Should this door be closed, products of combustion originating from the ‘living zone’ will be delayed in reaching the smoke alarm in the hallway, thereby preventing early warning Closing the door at night is a positive action; however, it does make it necessary to place a second smoke alarm (photoelectric) in the rumpus area COPYRIGHT 15 AS 1670.6 — 1997 Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited Both smoke alarms should be interconnected so that any alarm will be simultaneously raised in both the sleeping and living areas If this is not done, the hall door should be left open Escape could be via the laundry FIGURE B3 LONG DWELLING B8.3 Multilevel dwelling In multilevel dwellings, a smoke alarm is required to be fitted on each level Most dwellings of this type have only one escape path from the upper level, via the lower level (see Figure B4) COPYRIGHT Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited AS 1670.6 — 1997 16 FIGURE B4 MULTILEVEL DWELLING A sleeping occupant on the upper level needs to be alerted to an alarm originating from elsewhere in the dwelling To effectively alert occupants, all smoke alarms need to be interconnected In the example shown in Figure B5, a smoke alarm has been positioned in the primary escape path for each level Protection can be enhanced by undertaking the following: (a) The placement of a photoelectric smoke alarm in the family room is desirable The closure of the access door into the lounge at night segregates the family/kitchen area as a separate fire zone All smoke alarms need to be interconnected (b) Protection for the garage is considered desirable because it is the storage area for flammable liquids and solvents As the garage is integral to the dwelling yet has no direct access, any products of combustion generated within the garage will not be detected by the smoke alarms installed inside the house Smoke alarms could be used, however the choice of detection technology depends upon the purposes for which the garage is used Smoke alarms may generate an unacceptable level of nuisance alarms due to dust or fumes A heat alarm is not sensitive to these conditions and has been selected for use The heat alarm must be interconnected to the smoke alarms for early warning COPYRIGHT Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited 17 FIGURE B5 MULTILEVEL DWELLING FLOOR PLANS COPYRIGHT AS 1670.6 — 1997 AS 1670.6 — 1997 18 APPENDIX C MAINTENANCE (Informative) C1 GENERAL Smoke alarms should be regularly maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and the recommendations of this Appendix C2 TESTING Smoke alarms should be tested at least once per month by the user C3 INSPECTION Smoke alarms should be inspected and cleaned at six-monthly intervals Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002 Single user licence only Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited C4 BATTERIES Where batteries are used as the power source and are designed to be replaced, they should be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations COPYRIGHT ... ISBN 7337 0814 AS 1670.6 — 1997 PREFACE This Standard was prepared by the Joint Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand Committee FP/2 on Fire Detection, Warning, Control and Intercom Systems,... First published as AS 1670.6— 1997 AS 1670.6 — 1997 STANDARDS AUSTRALIA Australian Standard Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems— System design, installation and commissioning... Australian Standard Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems—System design, installation and commissioning Part 6: Smoke alarms PUBLISHED BY STANDARDS AUSTRALIA (STANDARDS ASSOCIATION