Fire Systems Environmental Testing

November 4th, 2018

Fire detection and alarm system equipment is required by AS 1670.1 to meet the relevant parts of AS (ISO) 7240 series of Australian Standards relevant to their product type or category. Residential-style smoke and heat alarms are required to meet AS 3786 and AS 1603.3, respectively.

Each product standard nominates a test program relevant to the type of equipment covered. The test program is generally divided into two streams:

1. Specific tests for the fire system product type

For example, smoke detectors are subject to smoke sensitivity testing, while heat detectors are subject to heat sensitivity tests. These type-specific tests cover a range of parameters that are relevant only to the category, and may test a range of critical phenomena, e.g. heat detectors are tested for response to slow and fast rates of air temperature rise, from low and high temperature starting points, and emergency loudspeakers are tested for frequency response, sensitivity, impedance, coverage angle and maximum power output.

2. Generic environmental tests for fire systems.

Each of the AS (ISO) 7240 standards  includes an “environmental” physical test program that is generally consistent. This test program is included to ensure that life-safety equipment are capable of operating reliably throughout their anticipated lifetime in any environment that may be reasonably exposed to and installed in. These “environmental” tests include climatic type (cold, dry heat, damp heat, SO2 corrosion), mechanical (impact, vibration, shock) and electromagnetic immunity (EMC) tests.

Environmental conditioning

To determine whether the product is suitably immune to the applied conditioning, a response behaviour test is selected by the calling Standard to be applied prior, following, and sometimes during, the environmental test.

For example, a point-type smoke detector is tested for response to aspirated paraffin “smoke” prior to and following each of the climatic tests. The ratio of the alarm response (in dB/m, or MIC y) is required to remain within limits defined from its initial value prior to the conditioning. Variation in alarm response behaviour outside these limits constitutes a failure to the applied test, and the product must be re-engineered and retested.

Conceptually, the approach taken by the standards is simple, and replicated across the Australian (AS), International (ISO) and European (EN) standards for fire systems. However, due perhaps to the varying influences of publication date, persons involved, priorities at the time, or other unknown factors, the specifications for each of the environmental conditioning tests across the product (AS 7240 etc) standards varies.

The table below provides an insight into the subtleties and variations in test conditions required to be applied. This table details the test specifications current in Australian Standards in mid-2018. Any correspondence, or lack thereof, to test specifications applied in other standardisation environments or regions (ISO, EN etc) should be very carefully assessed.

Laboratory Accreditation

The CSIRO Fire Systems Laboratory is NATA-accredited for the following environmental test methods:

  • AS 60068.2.1 (Cold)
  • AS 60068.2.2 (Dry Heat)
  • AS 60068.2.6 (Vibration, sinusoidal)
  • AS 60068.2.30 (Damp heat, cyclic)
  • AS 60068.2.75 (Impact)
  • AS 60068.2.78 (Damp heat, steady state).

 

Product Type AS (ISO) 7240 Part Year Amdt Parameter Climatic Test Mechanical Test RF Test
Dry (operational) Dry (endurance) Cold (operational) Damp, cyclic (operational) Damp, cyclic (endurance) Damp, steady (operational) Damp, steady (endurance) Impact (operational) Vibration (operational) Vibration (endurance) Shock (operational) EMC (operational)
Control and Indicating Equipment 2 2004 Severity Manufacturer specified N/A 0C N/A N/A 40C, 93%RH 40C, 93%RH 0.5 J 10 Hz to 150 Hz, 0.981 m/s2 (0.1 gn) 10 Hz to 150 Hz, 4.905 m/s2 (0.5 gn) N/A Latest edition at time of evaluation applies
Precision +/- 2C +/- 3C +/-2C, +2%/-3%RH +/-2C, +2%/-3%RH +/- 0.04 J
Duration 16 h 16 h 4 days 21 days 3 impacts/point 1 sweep cycle per functional condition, three axes 20 sweep cycle per functional condition, three axes
Method AS 60068.2.2 Test B AS 60068.2.1 Test Ad / Ab AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab AS 60068-2-75 AS 60068-2-6 AS 60068-2-6 EN 50130-4:2011
Audible Alarm Devices  3 2014 Severity 55C (Type A), 70C (Type B) 70C (Type B only) -10C (Type A), -25C (Type B) Lower: 25C, > 95%RH, Upper: 40C (Type A) or 55C (Type B), 93%RH Lower: 25C, > 95%RH, Upper: 55C (Type B only), 93%RH N/A 40C, 93%RH 0.5 J 10 Hz to 150 Hz, 5 m/s2 (~0.5 gn) 10 Hz to 150 Hz,10 m/s2 (~1 gn) 6 ms half-size, up to 100 g pk Dated reference
Precision +/- 2C +/- 2C +/- 3C Lower: +/-3C, Upper +/- 5C (type A), +/- 2C (Type B) +/-3%RH Lower: +/-3C, Upper +/- 2C (Type B only) +/-3%RH +/-2C, +/-3%RH +/- 0.04 J
Duration 16 h 21 d 16 h 2 cycles 6 cycles 21 days 3 impacts/point 2sweep cycles per axis, three axes 20 sweep cycle axis, three axes six directions, three pulses per direction
Method AS 60068.2.2 Test Bb AS 60068.2.2 Test Bb AS 60068.2.1 Test Ab AS 60068-2-30 Variant 1 AS 60068-2-30 Variant 1 AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab AS 60068-2-75 AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-27 Test Ea EN 50130-4:1995 +A1:1998 +A2:2003
Power Supply Equipment  4 2004 A1:2016 Severity Manufacturer specified N/A 0C N/A N/A 40C, 93%RH 40C, 93%RH 0.5 J 10 Hz to 150 Hz, 0.981 m/s2 (0.1 gn) 10 Hz to 150 Hz, 4.905 m/s2 (0.5 gn) N/A Latest edition at time of evaluation applies
Precision +/- 2C +/- 3C +/-2C, +2%/-3%RH +/-2C, +2%/-3%RH +/- 0.04 J
Duration 16 hr 16 hr 4 days 21 days 3 impacts/point 1 sweep cycle per functional condition, three axes 20 sweep cycle per functional condition, three axes
Method AS 60068.2.2 Test B AS 60068.2.1 Test Ad / Ab AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab AS 60068-2-75 AS 60068-2-6 AS 60068-2-6 EN 50130-4:2011
Point-type heat detectors  5 2004 A1:2007 Severity N/A 80C (Class C), 95C (Class D), 110C (Class E), 125C (Class F), 140C (Class G) (no test for Class A1/A2/B) -10C Lower: 25C, > 95%RH, Upper: 40C, 93%RH N/A N/A 40C, 93%RH 1.9 J, 1.5 m/s 10 Hz to 150 Hz, 5 m/s2 (~0.5 gn) 10 Hz to 150 Hz,10 m/s2 (~1 gn) 6 ms half-size, up to 100 g pk Latest edition at time of evaluation applies
Precision +/- 2C +/- 3C Lower: +/-3C, Upper: +/- 2C, +/-3%RH +/-2C, +/-3%RH +/- 0.1 J, 0.13 m/s
Duration 21 d 16 h 2 cycles 21 days 1 impact 1 sweep cycle per axis, three axes 20 sweep cycle axis, three axes six directions, three pulses per direction
Method AS 60068.2.2 Test Ba / Bb AS 60068.2.1 Test Ab AS 60068-2-30 Variant 1 AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab Annex F AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-27 Test Ea EN 50130-4:2011
 Point-type smoke detectors 7 2004 Severity Lower: 25C, Upper: 40C N/A -10C N/A N/A 40C, 93%RH 40C, 93%RH 0.5 J 10 Hz to 150 Hz, 5 m/s2 (~0.5 gn) 10 Hz to 150 Hz,10 m/s2 (~1 gn) 6 ms half-size, up to 100 g pk Latest edition at time of evaluation applies
Precision Lower: +/-5C, Upper +/- 2C +/- 3C +/-2C, +/-3%RH +/-2C, +/-3%RH +/- 0.04 J
Duration 2 hr 16 h 4 days 4 days 3 impacts/point 1 sweep cycle per axis, three axes 20 sweep cycle axis, three axes six directions, three pulses per direction
Method AS 60068.2.2 Test Bb AS 60068.2.1 Test Ab AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab AS 60068-2-75 AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-27 Test Ea EN 50130-4:2011
Flame detectors  10 2007 Severity Lower: 25C, Upper: 55C N/A -10C Lower: 25C, > 95%RH, Upper: 40C, 93%RH N/A N/A 40C, 93%RH 0.5 J 2 Hz to 10 Hz, 5 m/s2 (~0.5 gn) 2 Hz to 10 Hz, 10 m/s2 (~1.0 gn) 6 ms half-size, up to 100 g pk Latest edition at time of evaluation applies
Precision Lower: +/-5C, Upper +/- 2C +/- 3C Lower: +/-3C, Upper: +/- 2C, +/-3%RH +/-2C, +/-3%RH +/- 0.04 J
Duration 2 hr 16 h 2 cycles 4 days 3 impacts/point 1 sweep cycle per axis, three axes 20 sweep cycle axis, three axes six directions, three pulses per direction
Method AS 60068.2.2 Test Bb AS 60068.2.1 Test Ab AS 60068-2-30 Variant 1 AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab AS 60068-2-75 AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-27 Test Ea EN 50130-4:2011
 Manual call points 11 2008 Severity 55C (Indoor) 70C (Outdoor) 70C (Outdoor only) -10C (Indoor), -25 (Outdoor) Lower: 25C, > 95%RH, Upper: 40C (Indoor), 55C (Outdoor), 93%RH Lower: 25C, > 95%RH, Upper: 55C (Outdoor only), 93%RH N/A 40C, 93%RH 1.9 J, 1.5 m/s 10 Hz to 150 Hz, 5 m/s2 (~0.5 gn) 10 Hz to 150 Hz,10 m/s2 (~1 gn) 6 ms half-size, up to 100 g pk Latest edition at time of evaluation applies
Precision +/- 2C +/- 2C +/- 3C Lower: +/-3C, Upper: +/- 2C, +/-3%RH Lower: +/-3C, Upper: +/- 2C, +/-3%RH +/-2C, +/-3%RH +/- 0.1 J, 0.13 m/s
Duration 16 h 21 d 16 h 2 cycles 6 cycles 4 days 1 impact 1 sweep cycle per axis, three axes 20 sweep cycle axis, three axes six directions, three pulses per direction
Method AS 60068.2.2 Test Bb AS 60068.2.2 Test Bb AS 60068.2.1 Test Ab AS 60068-2-30 Test Db Variant 1 AS 60068-2-30 Test Db Variant 1 AS 60068-2-78 Test Cb Annex C AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-27 Test Ea EN 50130-4:2011
 Line-type (beam) smoke detectors 12 2007 Severity 55C N/A -10C N/A N/A 40C, 93%RH 40C, 93%RH 0.5 J N/A 10 Hz to 150 Hz,10 m/s2 (~1 gn) N/A Latest edition at time of evaluation applies
Precision +/- 2C +/- 3C +/-2C, +/-3%RH +/-2C, +/-3%RH +/- 0.04 J
Duration 16 h 16 h 4 days 4 days 3 impacts/point 20 sweep cycle axis, three axes
Method AS 60068.2.2 Test Bb AS 60068.2.1 Test Ab AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab AS 60068-2-75 AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc EN 50130-4:2011
Short-circuit isolators  17 2015 Severity 55C (Type A), 70C (Type B) N/A -10C Lower: 25C, > 95%RH, Upper: 40C, 93%RH N/A N/A 40C, 93%RH 1.9 J, 1.5 m/s 10 Hz to 150 Hz, 5 m/s2 (~0.5 gn) 10 Hz to 150 Hz,10 m/s2 (~1 gn) 6 ms half-size, up to 100 g pk Dated reference
Precision +/- 2C +/- 3C Lower: +/-3C, Upper: +/- 5C, +/-3%RH +/-2C, +/-3%RH +/- 0.1 J, 0.13 m/s
Duration 16 h 16 h 2 cycles 4 days 1 impact 2sweep cycles per axis, three axes 20 sweep cycle axis, three axes six directions, three pulses per direction
Method AS 60068.2.2 Test B AS 60068.2.1 Test A AS 60068-2-30 Test Db Variant 1 AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab Annex C AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-27 Test Ea EN 50130-4:1995
Input/output devices  18 2015 Severity 55C N/A -10C Lower: 25C, > 95%RH, Upper: 40C, 93%RH N/A N/A 40C, 93%RH 0.5 J 10 Hz to 150 Hz, 5 m/s2 (~0.5 gn) 10 Hz to 150 Hz,10 m/s2 (~1 gn) 6 ms half-size, up to 100 g pk Dated reference
Precision +/- 2C +/- 3C Lower: +/-3C, Upper: +/- 2C, +/-3%RH +/-2C, +/-3%RH +/- 0.04 J
Duration 16 h 16 h 2 cycles 4 days 3 impacts/point 1 sweep cycle per axis, three axes 20 sweep cycle axis, three axes six directions, three pulses per direction
Method AS 60068.2.2 Test Bb AS 60068.2.1 Test Ab AS 60068-2-30 Test Db Variant 1 AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab AS 60068-2-75 AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-27 Test Ea EN 50130-4:1995 +A1:1998 +A2:2003
 Aspirating smoke detectors 20 2012 Severity Lower: 25C, Upper: 40C N/A -10C (or 5C if spec > 0C) N/A N/A 40C, 93%RH 40C, 93%RH 0.5 J 10 Hz to 150 Hz, 5 m/s2 (~0.5 gn) 10 Hz to 150 Hz,10 m/s2 (~1 gn) 6 ms half-size, up to 100 g pk Dated reference
Precision Lower: +/-5C, Upper +/- 2C +/- 3C +/-2C, +/-3%RH +/-2C, +/-3%RH +/- 0.04 J
Duration 2 h 16 h 4 d 21 d 3 impacts/point 1 sweep cycle per axis, three axes 20 sweep cycle axis, three axes six directions, three pulses per direction
Method AS 60068.2.2 Test Bb AS 60068.2.1 Test Ab AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab AS 60068-2-75 AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-27 Test Ea EN 50130-4:1995 +A1:1998 +A2:2003
 Visual alarm devices 23 2014 Severity 55C (Type A), 70C (Type B and C) 70C (Type B only) -10C (Type A), -25C (Type B) Lower: 25C, > 95%RH, Upper: 40C (Type A) or 55C (Type B), 93%RH Lower: 25C, > 95%RH, Upper: 55C (Type B only), 93%RH N/A 40C, 93%RH 0.5 J 10 Hz to 150 Hz, 5 m/s2 (~0.5 gn) 10 Hz to 150 Hz,10 m/s2 (~1 gn) 6 ms half-size, up to 100 g pk Dated reference
Precision +/- 2C +/- 2C +/- 3C Lower: +/-3C, Upper +/- 5C (type A), +/- 2C (Type B) +/-3%RH Lower: +/-3C, Upper +/- 2C (Type B only) +/-3%RH +/-2C, +/-3%RH +/- 0.04 J
Duration 16 h 21 d 16 h 2 cycles 6 cycles 21 d 3 impacts/point 2sweep cycles per axis, three axes 20 sweep cycle axis, three axes six directions, three pulses per direction
Method AS 60068.2.2 Test Bb AS 60068.2.2 Test Bb AS 60068.2.1 Test Ab AS 60068-2-30 Variant 1 AS 60068-2-30 Variant 1 AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab AS 60068-2-75 Test Eh / Ehb AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-27 Test Ea EN 50130-4:2011
 Emergency loudspeakers 24 Severity 55C (Type A), 70C (Type B) 70C (Outdoor only) -10C (Indoor), -25 (Outdoor) Lower: 25C, > 95%RH, Upper: 40C (Type A), 55C (Type B), 93%RH Lower: 25C, > 95%RH, Upper: 55C (Type B only), 93%RH N/A 40C, 93%RH 0.5 J 10 Hz to 150 Hz, 5 m/s2 (~0.5 gn) 10 Hz to 150 Hz,10 m/s2 (~1 gn) 6 ms half-size, up to 100 g pk Latest edition at time of evaluation applies
Precision +/- 2C +/- 2C +/- 3C Lower: +/-3C, Upper: +/- 2C, +/-3%RH Lower: +/-3C, Upper: +/- 2C, +/-3%RH +/-2C, +/-3%RH +/- 0.04 J
Duration 16 h 21 d 16 h 2 cycles 6 cycles 21 d 3 impacts/point 1 sweep cycle per axis, three axes 20 sweep cycle axis, three axes six directions, three pulses per direction
Method AS 60068.2.2 Test Bb AS 60068.2.2 Test Ba/Bb AS 60068.2.1 Test Ab/Ad AS 60068-2-30 Variant 1 AS 60068-2-30 Variant 1 AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab AS 60068-2-75 Test Eh / Ehb AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-27 Test Ea EN 50130-4:2011
 Product Type Standard Year Amdt
 Smoke alarms AS 3786 2014 A1:2015 Severity Lower: 25C, Upper: 40C N/A 0C N/A N/A 40C, 93%RH N/A 1.9 J, 1.5 m/s 10 Hz to 150 Hz, 5 m/s2 (~0.5 gn) 10 Hz to 150 Hz,10 m/s2 (~1 gn) N/A Latest edition presumed to apply (not stated)
Precision Lower: +/-5C, Upper +/- 2C +/- 2C +/-2C, +/-3%RH +/- 0.1 J, 0.13 m/s
Duration 2 hr 2 h 4 d 1 impact 1 sweep cycle per axis, three axes 20 sweep cycle axis, three axes
Method AS 60068.2.2 Test Bb AS 60068.2.1 Test Ab AS 60068-2-78 Test Cab Appendix E AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc EN 50130-4:2011
 Heat alarms AS 1603.3 2018 Severity N/A N/A -10C Lower: 25C, > 95%RH, Upper: 40C, 93%RH N/A N/A N/A 1.9 J, 1.5 m/s 10 Hz to 150 Hz, 5 m/s2 (~0.5 gn) 10 Hz to 150 Hz,10 m/s2 (~1 gn) N/A Latest edition presumed to apply (not stated)
Precision +/- 3C Lower: +/-3C, Upper: +/- 2C, +/-3%RH +/- 0.1 J, 0.13 m/s
Duration 16 h 2 cycles 1 impact 1 sweep cycle per axis, three axes 20 sweep cycle axis, three axes
Method AS 60068.2.1 Test Ab AS 60068-2-30 Variant 1 AS 7240.5 AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc AS 60068-2-6 Test Fc IEC 62599-2:2010