AS 1851 3 1997 maintenance of fire protection equipment au

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AS 1851.3-1997 Maintenance of fire protection equipment - Automatic fire sprinkler

systems

Licensed to LUU MINH LUAN on 25 Feb 2002

AS 1851.3—1997

Maintenance of fire protection equipment

Part 3: Automatic fire sprinkler systems

The following interests are represented on Committee FP/4:

Association of Consulting Engineers, Australia Australian Building Codes Board

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Australian Chamber of Manufactures

Australian Fire Authorities Council Commonwealth Fire Board

Department of Defence (Australia) Fire Protection Association Australia Institution of Engineers, Australia Insurance Council of Australia New Zealand Fire Services Property Council of Australia Scientific Services Laboratory Testing interests

Review of Australian Standards To keep abreast of progress in industry, Australi an Standards are subject

to periodic review and are kept up to date by the issue of amendments or new edit ions as necessary It is important therefore that Standards users ensure that they are in possession of the latest edition, and any amendments thereto.

Full details of all Australian Standards and related publications wil l be found in the Standards Australia Catalogue of Publi cations; this information is supplemented each month by the magazine ‘The Australian Standard’, which subscribing members receive, and which gives details of new publications, new editi ons and amendments, and of wit hdrawn Standards.

Suggestions for improvements to Australian Standards, addressed to the head office of Standards Australia, are welcomed Notification of any inaccuracy or ambiguity found in an Australi an Standard should be made without delay in order that the matter may be investigated and appropriate acti on taken.

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 96041.

AS 1851.3—1997

Maintenance of fire protection equipment

Part 3: Automatic fire sprinkler systems

Originated as part of AS CA16— 1939 (being 7th edition F.O.C Rules with Amendments).

Previous edition AS 1851.3— 1985.

Third edition 1997.

PUBLISHED BY STANDARDS AUSTRALIA (STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA)

1 THE CRESCENT, HOMEBUSH, NSW 2140

ISBN 0 7337 1600 8

This Standard was prepared by the Joint Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand Committee FP/4, Automatic Sprinkler Installations, to supersede AS 1851.3 — 1985

This Standard is the result of a consensus among representatives on the Joint Committee

to produce it as an Australian Standard

This edition has been modified to reflect the changes in AS 2118, Automatic fire

sprinklers (all parts) since 1985.

The objective of this Standard is to provide requirements for routine maintenance for sprinkler systems and for precautions to be taken when systems are rendered inoperative 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

Automatic sprinkler systems provide effective fire protection and have an extremely good record in Australia for controlling and extinguishing fires For effective operation, it is essential that regular testing and maintenance be carried out on such systems

Any fault which may render the system fully or partially inoperative should be rectified with the minimum of delay

The maintenance requirements for pumpsets associated with automatic fire sprinkler

Part 14: Pumpset systems.

 Copyri ght STANDARDS AUSTRALIA Users of Standards are reminded that copyri ght subsists in all Standards Australi a publi cati ons 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 wri ti ng from Standards Australi a Permission may be condit ional on an appropriate royalty payment Requests for permission and information

on commercial software royalt ies should be directed to the head offi ce of Standards Austr alia.

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 software programs for no royalty payment provided such programs are used exclusively in-house by the creators of the programs.

Care should be taken to ensure that materi al 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 soft ware programs to be used commercially, with or wit hout payment, or in commercial contracts is subject to the payment of a royalty This policy may be vari ed by Standards Austr alia at any ti me.

3 AS 1851.3 — 1997

CONTENTS

Page

SECTION 1 SCOPE AND GENERAL

1.1 SCOPE 4

1.2 NEW DESIGNS AND INNOVATIONS 4

1.3 APPLICATION 4

1.4 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS 4

1.5 DEFINITIONS 4

SECTION 2 PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN WHEN A SYSTEM IS RENDERED INOPERATIVE 2.1 PRECAUTIONS 5

2.2 CURTAILMENT OF WATER SUPPLIES 5

2.3 PRECAUTIONS FOR WATER SUPPLY CURTAILMENT 5

SECTION 3 ROUTINE MAINTENANCE 3.1 GENERAL 6

3.2 ASSOCIATED ALARM EQUIPMENT 6

3.3 LEVELS OF INSPECTION, TESTING AND MAINTENANCE 6

3.4 FREQUENCY 6

SECTION 4 WET SYSTEMS—LEVELS 1 TO 5 4.1 MAINTENANCE LEVELS 1 TO 4 7

4.2 MAINTENANCE LEVEL 5 10

SECTION 5 SYSTEMS OTHER THAN GENERAL SYSTEMS 5.1 GENERAL 11

5.2 PHILOSOPHY 11

APPENDICES A ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS 12

B DRY SYSTEMS 13

C DELUGE SYSTEMS AND WATER SPRAY SYSTEMS 14

D PRE-ACTION SYSTEMS 15

E TAIL-END DRY SYSTEMS 16

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Australian Standard Maintenance of fire protection equipment

Part 3: Automatic fire sprinkler systems

automatic fire sprinkler systems It also sets out the precautions to be taken when a system is rendered inoperative

NOTES:

1 Although not classified as routine maintenance, a check on a regular basis is necessary to ensure that the installed system characteristics as shown on the block plan are adequate to protect the current occupancy and storage, and that sprinkler protection extends to all communicating sections of the building

2 Reference should be made to AS 2118.8 for minor modifications to installed systems

3 Maintenance requirements for residential and domestic sprinkler systems are given in

AS 2118.4 and AS 2118.5 respectively

methods of assembly and procedures that do not comply with the specific requirements of this Standard, or are not mentioned in it, but give equivalent results to those specified, are not necessarily prohibited However, the specified approval remains the prerogative of the regulatory authority

than residential and domestic The procedures set out in this Standard should be carried out or directly supervised by personnel who can demonstrate experience and competency

in this class of work

Standard:

AS

parts) and AS 2484.2 apply

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5 AS 1851.3 — 1997

I N O P E R A T I V E

rendered partially or fully inoperative:

the fire station to which the system is connected or the nearest fire station if there is

no brigade connection

the requirements of AS 1674

NOTE: For additional precautions, refer to Appendix A

any protracted period, e.g as in time of drought, special attention shall be given to the maintenance of any other water supplies

water supply curtailment it is recommended that all fire extinguishing appliances be held

in special readiness for immediate use, and that a watchman be on duty throughout non-working hours

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S E C T I O N 3 R O U T I N E M A I N T E N A N C E

periodic intervals specified in this Section

Records of routine maintenance shall be kept in a log held at the installation control assembly for this purpose Details of all defects observed during inspection and tests, and the date of their rectification, shall be recorded in this log

Any deficiency in a system shall be reported to the building owner or his or her representative at the completion of the service and shall be rectified with the minimum of delay

Prior to testing, the fire brigade shall be advised that a test is to be conducted On completion of the test, the fire brigade shall be contacted to check that the fire call was received and to advise that the installation has been reset and left in an operative

installation shall be fully operational and checked with the fire brigade before work is started on the next installation

continuous automatic monitoring of the fire line, the test in Clause 3.1 shall be carried out

in a manner prescribed by the fire brigade

Where sprinkler alarm signals are connected to automatic fire alarm and indicating equipment, such equipment shall be maintained in accordance with AS 1851.8

testing and maintenance shall be conducted at five levels, as follows:

which do not necessitate taking the system out of operation

inspection procedures with consequential adjustments necessary to ensure correct function These routines may require the system to be taken temporarily out of operation, but shall enable rapid reinstatement to full operating condition

procedures which may necessitate the system being out of service for short periods

characteristics of sprinklers 24 years of age or older, and then at six-yearly intervals after the initial Level 5 routine

The precautions outlined in Section 2 shall be observed when Level 4 or Level 5 routines are undertaken

be as follows:

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7 AS 1851.3 — 1997

given in Table 4.1

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR WET SYSTEMS LEVELS 1 TO 4

Item Component or

functi on Acti on required

Frequency Weekly

(Level 1)

Quarterly (Level 2)

Annually (Level 3)

3-yearly (Level 4)

1 General Check that control valve/pump areas are

unobstructed and are not used for storage

2 Pressure gauges Record reading fr om each pressure gauge

prior to functions 3 to 6

3 Alarm valve Operate alarm valve by opening the 15 mm

test valve or by other approved means

4 Alarms Check for correct operati on of local and

remote alarms and record result s

5 Alarm valve Close 15 mm or other test valve and ensure

that the alarm valve has reseated

6 Installati on pressure Restore install ation pressure where

necessary

7 Pressure gauges Record reading fr om each pressure gauge

after functi ons 3 to 6

8 Control and associated valves

Reset and secure valves in the open posit ion

or the closed positi on as appropri ate

9 Tanks Where tanks are install ed, check that tank is

full and proceed wit h Item 11

10

Automati c infl ow valve and water level indicator device

Check corr ect operati on of automatic inflow valve(s) and water level indicator device(s)

of tank

11 Pressure tanks

Where pressure tanks are install ed, check for correct water level and proceed with

It ems 13 and 14

12

Air pressure or water level warning device

Check pressure tank air pressure and/or water level warning device(s) for corr ect operation

13 Air compressor and water pump

Check pressure tank air compressor and water pump for correct operation

14

Block plan and emergency instructions

Check that block plan, location plate, and emergency instr ucti ons are adequate for the system and are legible

15 Indicator panel Check corr ect operati on of indicators at

16 Water fl ow alarm swit ches

Test each water fl ow alarm swit ch by the operation of the fl ow swit ch test valve to simulate a sprinkler operation Check corr ect operati on at indicator panel

—

17 Spare components Check spare sprinklers and sprinkler

(continued )

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Item Component or

functi on Acti on required

Frequency Weekly

(Level 1)

Quarterly (Level 2)

Annually (Level 3)

3-yearly (Level 4)

18 Isolation valves Operate and check all system and water

19 Non-return valves Check that all water supply non-r eturn

valves are corr ectl y seated —

20 Strainer Clean the strainer and oil the external alarm

21 Monitori ng of isolation valves

Check for correct operati on of any facil it ies installed for the continuous monitori ng of isolation valves

—

22 Spray booths

Clean or replace sprinkler as appropri ate.

NOTE: The frequency of cleaning and recoating of the sprinklers depends on the amount of spraying being done and could be on a once or twice a week basis, at the same ti me as the cleaning

of booth is requir ed by spray painti ng regulati ons In these circumstances, the owner or occupier could best carr y out this operati on.

—

23 Pressure reducing valves

Operate all pressure-r educing valves and check for corr ect operati on under flow condit ions Check pressure readings on the low pressure side of the valves for change

fr om the ori ginal test readings

—

24 Fire brigade booster connecti on

Check access, availabili ty and signage, clean caps and plugs ensuri ng caps are free and lubri cate threads on caps and plugs

—

25 Kitchen hoods and ducts Inspect and clean sprinklers — —

Refer

It em 48

26 Water supply flow test

Test water supply to verif y that the system pressure/f low requir ements are sati sfied — —

27 Alarm valve

Operate alarm valve(s) by opening the remote test valve Check that the response

ti me is not greater than 6 min

28 Wi ri ng connection Check condit ion of bri gade/monit oring

29 Pressure sensors

Physically check all pressure sensors to ensure that all components are fr ee of corr osion, securely mounted, correctly labell ed and in working order

30 Auxili ary fir etri p and alarm swit ches

Check electr ic signal is generated at output

of swit ch.

NOTE: It is recommended that the buil ding owner give considerati on to the coordinated testi ng of all interacti ng fi re protecti on systems, e.g airhandling.

31 Water storage tanks

Inspect water storage tanks for defects.

NOTE: Draining is not normall y requir ed for this inspecti on.

(continued )

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9 AS 1851.3 — 1997

Item Component or

functi on Acti on required

Frequency Weekly

(Level 1)

Quarterly (Level 2)

Annually (Level 3)

3-yearly (Level 4)

32 Pump priming tanks

Check for correct operati on of automatic

fi ll ing and starti ng variants Inspect internally and externally for structural integrit y, fr eedom fr om corr osion and internal accumulation of foreign matter

33 Piping and spri nklers

Examine the exposed water distri buti on system including pipework, pipe supports, spri nklers, valves and heat collectors.

Where corr osion, rusting, lack of support s

or other damage is indicated, a more extensive examinati on of the distr ibution system shall be carr ied out, viz check within ceil ing and fl oor spaces and ducts.

Report defects found

34 Anti -f reeze systems

Inspect all anti -f reeze systems and devices including tail- end valve sets, and check anti -f reeze solution levels

35 Alarm valve

Fit new alarm valve seati ng or port seati ng, check and clean annulus groove and outlet port s, poli sh and lubricate seating spindle/shaft, and check operation of compensator valve if fi tt ed.

Fit a new alarm valve face plate gasket

36 Drain and test valve washers

Fit new drain and test valve washers and

37 Alarm cock plug type

Remove alarm cock barrels, clean, lap in,

38 Jacking pump path cocks

Fit new pump path cock washers and

39 Gland packing

Fit new gland packings for path cocks, drain and test cocks, main stop valve and hand pump

40 Direct brigade alarm

tr ansmit ter

Clean out well of direct brigade alarm, clear water jet, renew gasket, flush drain pipe, remove gear tr ain, check operation of main spindle, remove excess grease and then lubricate

41 Local water motor alarm

Clean strainer on local alarms, clear water jet, fl ush drain, renew gasket, check operation of main spindle and str iker, remove excess grease and then lubricate

42 Non-return valves

Renew water supply non-return valve seatings and gaskets, check seating and spindle

43 Retard chamber and drain pipe

Check operation of retard chamber and

44 Gauges Check all pressure gauges against cali brated

(continued )

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