Technical Specifications
FPA Australia currently has two draft Technical Specifications
at public comment closing Friday 23 February
2018:
Background and
context
Recent tests have shown that fires in modern buildings burn at a
rate eight times faster than 50 years ago. Such quick burning fires
and the difficulty faced by firefighting services responding to an
incident in urban areas in this time was sadly illustrated in the
2012 Bankstown fire. This event resulted in the death of one
individual and life changing injuries to another prompting the NSW
Coroner's recommendation to investigate a fit-for-purpose, cost
effective sprinkler system for Class 2 and 3 buildings, other than
Aged Care.
In response to this recommendation, Fire & Rescue New South
Wales (FRNSW) funded research and testing conducted by CSIRO in
conjunction with FRNSW staff and FPA Australia members to identify
such a system.
FPA Australia Technical Specifications FPAA101D and FPAA101H
were developed as a result of this research, and with reference to
existing requirements of current Australian Standards and the use
of listed sprinkler heads within the scope of their listing with an
emphasis of providing a more cost-effective system that provides
the required level of safety.
One of the key ways a more cost effective system was achieved
was by using existing water supplies in the building - either the
domestic water supply or the hydrant system water supply.
These draft Technical Specifications also form part of a
Proposal for Change (PFC) to the Building Code of Australia (BCA)
to require sprinkler systems in Class 2 and 3 buildings, other than
Aged Care, less than 25m in effective height. This proposal was
submitted by FPA Australia, FRNSW and the Australasian Fire and
Emergency Services Authorities Council (AFAC).
This PFC provides for appropriate fire suppression in Class 2
and 3 building, other than Aged Care, less than 25m in effective
height where none has been previously required, and provides
appropriate offsets to reduce the cost of this protection.
For more information on the development of these Technical
Specifications, please refer to the preliminary pages in the public
comment drafts below.
How to submit your public
comment
To provide public comment, download the relevant public comment
form below, complete it following the instructions included then
submit it to technical@fpaa.com.au by
Friday 23 February
2018 to have your feedback
considered.
All public comment will be reviewed by FPA Australia to identify
whether any changes are required to improve the Technical
Specification.
We encourage anyone with an interest in sprinkler systems to
review and provide public comment. We look forward to your feedback
to make these Technical Specifications the best they can be.
Public comment form