1. The basis of inspection, testing and routine servicing of fire detection and alarm systems is to make sure that all the systems are operating and functioning correctly and to the relevant Standards.

Where you can go to see what is fully required to comply -

• AS1851-2012 Section 6 – Fire Detection and Alarms

• AS1851-2012 Section 7 – Special Hazards System

Performance Standards to meet when conducting an annual test and surveying the building.

• AS1670.1 Fire Detection, Warning, control and intercom system

• AS1670.5 Special Hazards system

Note: Special Hazards system must also be maintained to the manufacturers specifications and guidelines.

Inspection Intervals

All fire detection and alarm systems shall be inspected and tested on the following basis —

• Monthly

• Six-monthly

• Yearly; and

• Five-yearly

Note: Where smoke alarms and heat alarms are connected to a fire detection system, the procedures for the smoke and heat alarms shall be done on Monthly routine.

Panels

As technology and computers rapidly change, fire systems manufacturers also continually seek to make detection systems better and more capable. This means a lot of the old fire indicator panels are no longer supported.

However, manufacturers have made most FIPs backward compatible, which means all that most, if not all, field devices can remain while you upgrade just the FIP itself. This is both good and bad.

Good, in keeping lower cost and labour to complete the changeover.

Bad, as all field equipment could be more than 20+ years old and will require replacement as it will, inevitably, start to fail.

Where does your system fall? New or old? It may need upgrading!!