Fire Detection and Alarm Systems

Conformity evaluation services for a wide range of fire detection and alarm system products. The Fire Systems laboratory provides services through which national and international producers of fire detection and alarms system components can demonstrate conformity to relevant Australian (AS) and International (ISO) standards.The laboratory is accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) for a wide range of related test methods and standards. The full scope of accreditation is available through the NATA website.

The laboratory works closely with CSIRO’s Verification Services – ActivFire Scheme to provide product certification for fire detection and alarm system equipment. The list of currently certified products is available through the ActivFire website.

 Supported Evaluation Criteria

• Residential smoke alarms – AS 3786.
• Commercial smoke detection equipment – AS 7240 Parts 7 (point), 12 (beam), 15 (multisensor),  20 (aspirating), AS 1603 Parts 2 (smoke), 7 (duct) and 8 (aspirating).
• Commercial Heat detection – AS 7240.5
• Residential Heat alarms – AS 1603.3
• Control equipment– AS 7240 Parts 2 and 4, AS 4428 Parts 1, 4, 5, 6 and 9, NZS 4512.
• Control input and output equipment – AS 7240.17 (short-circuit isolators) and AS 7240.18 (I/O modules)
• Emergency warning c.i.e. – AS 4428.16
• Fire brigade panels – AS 4428.3
• Alarm and occupant warning system components – AS 7240 Parts 3 (sounders) and 24 (loudspeakers).
• Call points – AS 7240.11, AS 1603.5.
• Environmental exposures – AS 60068.2 Parts 1 (Cold), 2 (Dry), 30 (Damp cyclic), 78 (Damp steady state), 6 (Vibration), 42 (SO₂ corrosion), 5 (Solar radiation).
• Compatibility of systems– AS 7240.13
• Valve-regulated lead acid batteries – AS 4029.2 Clauses 5.2 and 5.5.

Additional criteria (standards) may be evaluated on the basis of prior evaluation to similar international standards. The following standards may be validated for certification purposes.

• Aspirating smoke detectors – AS 7240.20
• Emergency strobes – AS 7240.23
• Wireless interconnected devices – AS 7240.25

Key facilities

	Modern purpose-built facilities in Clayton, Victoria.
	Fire and smoke sensitivity test room for testing the smoke response of detection equipment. The test room is fitted with reference instruments including Lorenz Messssgeraetebau IR obscurometer and Delta Measuring Ionisation Chamber (MIC).
	ETS-Lindgren 100 m3 full anechoic chamber. Bruel and Kjaer LanXi real-time acoustic analyser and Pulse Labshop application suite.
	Recirculating AW Technology smoke and heat sensitivity test tunnel.
	Xi’an Lib IEC 60068.2.42 SO2 corrosion chamber
	LDS V403 and V406 electrodynamic shakers LDS PA100 and PA300 power amplifiers LDS LaserUSB Vibration controller. Bruel and Kjaer accelerometers and force transducers
	Shaffner electrical transient generators.
	AS 1851 Fire sprinkler spray test booth.
	AS 1851 Fire sprinkler operation temperature baths.
	Thermoline climatic test chambers providing conditions from -40C to 100C, 30 to 99 %RH.

Feedback related to the activities of the laboratory is welcomed. All complaints, suggestions or comments may be directed to:

Dr. Christopher Preston

CSIRO Fire Systems Laboratory Manager

email: christopher.preston@csiro.au

News