System Interface Test Reports

 
 

System Interface Test…

The annual System Interface Test (SIT) is an integral component of the Australian fire safety maintenance standard AS1851-2012 ‘Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment.’

Understanding AS1851-2012

AS1851-2012 was published in 2012 and was adopted by QLD government as a mandatory maintenance standard from 1 January 2015. Other jurisdictions either have recommended it as the maintenance standard or are in the process of adopting it as the mandatory maintenance standard.

In response to industry and building owners’ feedback, Standards Australia made amendments in November 2016 (amendment 1) to provide corrections and clarifications.

Non-conformance with routine servicing of fire protection systems and equipment (AS1851-2012)

According to the Standard, ‘non-conformance’ refers to ‘missing information or incorrect feature that does not affect the system operation but is required to facilitate ongoing service routine.’

For example:

  • missing or incorrect sprinkler block plan

  • missing spare sprinklers

  • missing sprinkler guards

  • missing equipment location signs or illegible labels

  • non-availability of required information required to validate a service activity.

In summary, baseline data is required where:

  • The currently installed systems are either original ‘approved design’ or subsequent upgrades that are ‘new approved design’; and

  • The results of service activities on these systems require verification.

In our professional opinion, baseline data, such as a Fire Matrix (Cause & Effect Schedule), is absolutely necessary for accurate completion of the S.I.T.

This is because S.I.T. involves other interfaced systems like mechanical air handling and smoke control systems, that are almost certain to be ‘approved design’ i.e. original building approval, or ‘new approved design’ i.e. subsequent upgrades, and the results will have to be verified.

Without an accurate Fire Matrix to check against, the results of S.I.T. remain simply ‘observational’ and therefore cannot be formally verified or relied upon.

The use of a Fire Matrix will be necessary for compliance with the AS1851-2012 Standard.