Smoke detectors and heat detectors
Inspection, Test and Routine Servicing
The basis of inspection, test and routine servicing of fire detection and alarm system is to make sure that all the system are operation and functioning correctly to the Standards.
Where you can go to see what is fully required to comply?
Maintenance Standard
AS1851-2012 Section 6 – Fire Detection and Alarms
AS1851-2012 Section 7 – Special Hazards System
Minimum Standards of Performance
BCA 20__ Clause 4 of Spec E2.2a,
CA15-1691
AS1670-1986
AS1670.1-1995
AS1670.1-2004
AS1670.1-2015
AS1670.1-2019
AS 3772
AS 5062
Inspection Intervals
All routine inspected and tested shall be in accordance with AS1851-2012.
NB: Not all requirements will be covered in the maintenance standard, and it sometimes referral must be made to the Performance Standards for a full understanding.
| Equipment Type | Monthly | 6 Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke and Heat Detectors |
Fire Detector Testing
Point Type Heat Detector
Functional Test
Test a representative sample per annum of all detector models and types or grades and environmental locations consisting of 20% of the detectors per circuit including the last detector on a circuit (for collective circuits, the one nearest to the end of line device) so that all detectors are tested over a five year period.
For non-resettable fixed temperature detectors, simulate an alarm on the circuit at the end of line.
Linear Heat Detector
Functional Test
For resettable linear type heat detectors, test the operation using a suitable heat source at a random location and different location from previous tests.
For non-resettable fixed temperature detectors simulate an alarm on the circuit at the end of line.
Point Type Smoke Detector
Functional Test
Test in situ the operation of at least 50% of all smoke detectors per annum on each circuit using a test medium. Smoke detectors—a source of particulate material that does not contaminate the sensing chamber or entry screen and which contains particles in the size range appropriate to the detector. so that all smoke detectors are tested over a two year period, except where this requirement is satisfied under the sensitivity test of POINT TYPE SMOKE DETECTOR SENSITIVITY.
Sensitivity
Unless the sensitivity is tested or verified using the procedure of POINT SMOKE DETECTOR IN SITU SENSITIVITY TEST or of SMOKE DETECTORS CAPABLE OF REPORTING ‘OUT OF SENSITIVITY RANGE’ every 10 years from the date of installation, all smoke detectors shall be replaced with cleaned and re-calibrated or new detectors followed by the functional test of POINT TYPE SMOKE DETECTOR FUNCTIONAL TEST
In Situ Sensitivity Test
Test the sensitivity of all detectors in situ, using test equipment listed and calibrated in accordance with a national or international Standard, using the procedure provided in the manufacturer’s manual after 10 years from the date of installation and then every five years thereafter.
Report all detectors that fail the test.
Smoke Detectors Capable Of Reporting ‘Out of Sensitivity Range’
Where the sensitivity or ‘out of sensitivity range’ can be indicated or read at either the CIE or at the detectors, carry out the relevant procedure in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions yearly.
Report all detectors that indicate they are at the end of the manufacturer’s sensitivity range.
Beam Type Smoke Detectors
Functional Test
Test yearly the operation of each linear beam type smoke detector using neutral density light filters of the appropriate obscuration percentages for alarm and beam blockage for fault.
NOTE: Where information is not available on the appropriate total obscuration then, for direct beams types, a 60% obscuration filter should be used and for reflected beam types a 30% obscuration filter. For faults, greater than 95% obscuration (opaque) should be used.
Aspirating Smoke Detector (ASD)
Functional Test
Test the operation of the ASD by introducing smoke or other suitable aerosol through the last sampling point on each pipe run or branch of the system. Record the transport time for each pipe run or branch. Verify the transport time taken is within 10% or +/-5 s, whichever is the greater, of the transport time recorded but not more than 120 s.Report all pipe runs or branches that fail the test. Where ASD systems are installed and utilize capillary tube connections to room sampling points, test in situ the operation of at least 20% of the sampling points of the system so that all sampling points are tested over a five-year period.
Sensitivity Test
After 10 years from the date of installation and then every five years thereafter, test and verify the sensitivity of each aspirating smoke detector.
NOTE: This may require that the detector or part of the detector be returned to the manufacturer. Report each aspirating smoke detector that fails this test. Alternatively, replace with a new or recalibrated aspirating smoke detector or components as necessary.
Flame Detectors
Function Test
Test the operation of all flame detectors annually, and inspect the area of coverage to confirm there has been no change from the approved design. Where manual optical integrity is not used, functional testing shall be carried out using an approved light source suitable for the environment.
Sensitivity Test
Verify or measure and record the sensitivity of each flame detector at five-yearly intervals from the date of installation. Verify that this falls within the manufacturer’s range and approved design. Alternatively, replace with new or recalibrated flame detector. Where the date of installation is unknown, test the sensitivity or replace detector at the next annual test.
Co Fire Detectors
Function Test
Test the operation of at least 50% of CO detectors annually, using a test medium Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors—a source of gas that does not adversely affect the sensing element, or entry screen, of the detector and which contains gas appropriate to the detector.so that all detectors are tested over a two-year period.
Sensitivity TEST
Verify or measure and record the sensitivity of each detector at intervals in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications but no later than 10 years from the date of detector manufacture. Verify that the sensitivity falls within +/-25% of the listed range of the approved design. Alternatively, replace with new or recalibrated CO fire detector. Where the date of manufacture is unknown, test the sensitivity and replace detector at the next annual test.
Multi-Sensors & Combined Detectors
Multi-sensor smoke/CO detectors are primarily smoke detectors or CO fire detectors with their sensitivity enhanced by the presence of a rate or rise in temperature. This provides a faster flaming fire response, but still detects cold smoke or CO from fire. Test them as smoke or CO fire detectors.
Combined detectors have more than one sensor that can initiate an alarm without a signal from another sensor. If the detectors are installed on the basis of one sensor type only (e.g. smoke, CO,flame or heat), and the other sensors are supplementary, test them according to the type installed.
Where a fire detector is installed in combination with another detector as a deemed to satisfy (e.g. a combined CO and heat detector), test each sensor in accordance with its type. If detectors are installed as an engineered solution requiring more than one sensor, then test each sensor according to the type.
NOTE: Engineered solutions may have an engineered maintenance schedule as an alternative to AS1851 Australian Standard.
Multi-sensors that do not respond to any one single sensor signal
If the detectors are installed as smoke or CO detectors, functionally test them with a test medium that includes components specifically designed for this type of detector.
If detectors are installed with a multi-sensor setting that cannot be verified electronically at the CIE or at the detectors, functionally test the interaction of all sensors according to the manufacturer’s specified procedure.
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE
Consequences of failed detector functional tests
Should one or more detectors fail any of the tests per circuit, further sampling and testing of not less than 10 of the remaining detectors per circuit shall be conducted until the results can be claimed to be truly representative. Should there be a further failure on the extended testing, the balance of the detectors on the circuit shall be tested. All detectors that fail the test shall be replaced.
Consequences for detectors or equipment outside their service life
Detectors, equipment or other items that have defined service life before the service life is exceeded shall be replaced.