NCC 2022 Volume One - Building Code of Australia Class 2 to 9 buildings
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23

Specification 23 Residential fire safety systems

Specification 23 Residential fire safety systems

This Specification describes the requirements for residential fire safety systems referenced in Specification 18.

To state the criteria for residential fire safety systems as referenced in Specification 18.

(1) Clauses S23C3 to S23C7—

  1. apply to Class 3 residential care buildings; and
  2. cover installation requirements for local fire indicator panels (or alarm panels) that provide information to staff when a fire alarm is activated.

(2) Clauses S23C8 and S23C9 describe requirements for connecting residential sprinkler systems in Class 2 and 3 buildings, or a residential care building, to a fire station or other approved monitoring service.

 

S23C3 to S23C7 provide directives for all fire control centres. They address the installation of local fire indicator or alarm panels that notify staff of fire alarm activations specifically in Class 3 residential care buildings.

S23C8 and S23C9 outline the procedures to connect residential sprinkler systems of Class 2 buildings, Class 3 buildings and residential care buildings, to fire stations or other monitoring services.

(1) The installation of a residential local fire alarm system must consist of a system of smoke alarms powered either—

  1. directly from the low voltage supply mains; or
  2. from an extra-low voltage power source originating at a local fire indicator panel with a battery back-up facility.

(2) A smoke detector complying with AS 1670.1 Clause 2.1.2(a)(ii), (xi) or (xv) may be substituted for a smoke alarm, provided an audible alarm device is associated with each detector.

(3) The sound pressure level provided by a warning device must be equivalent to that required in Clause 3.22 of AS 1670.1, except that the sound pressure level need not be measured inside a sole-occupancy unit, provided that a level of not less than 85 dB(A) is attained at the access door to the unit.

(4) The alarm system must be wired for low voltage or extra-low voltage wiring.

(5) The system must be designed so—

  1. an audible alarm is given in the area in which the smoke alarm activates; and
  2. visible and audible indication of an alarm is provided at the local fire indicator panel; and
  3. an audible alarm is given in any area (including sleeping quarters and staff outbuildings) set aside for staff use.

(6) The maximum number of smoke alarms on any one alarm zone must—

  1. be determined by the maximum current output rating of the system source; and
  2. not exceed 10.

(7) Each alarm zone must be located around a single central access passageway, corridor or similar thoroughfare, to enable staff to readily identify the source of the alarm.

(8) Where the smoke alarm is functionally dependent on an external power source—

  1. an audible fault signal must sound at the local fire indicator panel if that power source fails; and
  2. the local fire indicator panel must be permanently connected to a reliable 240 V separate low voltage final sub-circuit; and
  3. source power must be protected by a separate circuit breaker, or fuse, supplied from the live side of the main switch.

(9) The smoke alarm system is not required to be connected to a fire alarm monitoring system (refer to S18C3(2)(c)).

To prescribe installation parameters for residential fire and smoke alarm systems.

Includes the installation parameters for residential local fire alarm systems. These systems can either be directly powered from the mains or powered from a local fire indicator panel equipped with a battery back-up. Variations and specific criteria, including sound pressure levels and wiring specifications, are provided.

(1) The local fire indicator panel must be located in a central area, such as a reception area, so that it is readily accessible by staff at all times.

(2) The local fire indicator panel must be fixed wired.

(3) The local fire indicator panel must incorporate the following:

  1. A suitable mains power supply with battery back-up (capable of operating the system for 12 hours) for the local fire indicator panel and extra-low voltage smoke alarms supplied directly from the local fire indicator panel.
  2. Terminals for input signal conductors from the smoke alarm and residential sprinkler system and, if the signal source is from a low voltage smoke alarm, external isolation must be provided.
  3. Visible indication of the alarm zone in which the actuating device is located.
  4. Automatic audible and visible indication of the following faults:
    1. A break in the wiring of any circuit between smoke alarms or sprinkler alarm switch and the local fire indicator panel.
    2. Low battery condition.
  5. Automatic visible indication of mains power failure.
  6. Initiation of any ancillary control facilities such as smoke door release or air-conditioning shut-down.
  7. Local operation of individual smoke alarms, in the event of alarm zone isolation at the local fire indicator panel.

(4) If the local fire indicator panel is also used for other non-fire related purposes such as security, then these functions—

  1. must be on separate and distinct circuits; and
  2. when disabled or isolated, must not interfere with the operation of fire alarm circuitry.

(5) The local fire indicator panel must comply with AS 1670.1.

(6) The local fire indicator panel must have the capacity to incorporate heat detectors deemed suitable in accordance with AS 1670.1 on either the same or separate alarm zones as the smoke alarms.

To set out the technical and location specifications of the local fire indicator panel.

(1) Extra-low voltage smoke alarms must be compatible with the local fire indicator panel.

(2) Low voltage smoke alarms must be configured to send an output alarm signal to the local fire indicator panel.

(3) Unless there is internal isolation of the signal output conductors, they must at all times be treated as low voltage conductors.

To ensure the compatibility and configuration of both extra-low voltage and low voltage smoke alarms connected to the local fire indicator panel.

(1) Signal isolation interface units must isolate any low voltage connected to the smoke alarms from the local fire indicator panel.

(2) Signal isolation interface units must be certified by an Accredited Testing Laboratory as compatible with the specific types of smoke alarms used in the system.

(3) Signal isolation interface units must be accepted by the electricity supply authority.

(4) Units must be marked in a clearly visible location, with letters greater than or equal to 35 mm containing the following information:

SMOKE ALARM SIGNAL ISOLATION UNIT WARNING – 240 V
Isolate power supply before removing cover

To prescribe requirements for signal isolation interface units, ensuring proper operation and clear identification.

(1) Smoke alarms and associated equipment must be fixed wired for low voltage or extra-low voltage wiring systems, as applicable.

(2) All extra-low voltage wiring must be red sheathed 0.6/1 kV stranded, with conductors having a cross sectional area of not less than 0.75 mm2.

(3) Clear and concise "as-installed" single line drawings to a suitable scale, showing rooms, external and internal walls, fixed partitions, doorways etc., are to be provided for each installation at the local fire indicator panel.

(4) Drawings must also include the actual location of fire alarms, smoke alarms, sprinkler flow switches (where installed), alarm connection points and local fire indicator panel, to enable easy identification of alarm system elements and their relationship to the building layout.

(5) Symbols used in the drawings referred to in (4) must be as shown in Figures S23C7a, S23C7b, S23C7c, S23C7d, S23C7e or S23C7f.

Figure S23C7a Flow switch symbol
image-S23C7a-flow-switch-symbol.svg
Figure S23C7b Heat detector symbol
image-S23C7b-heat-detector-symbol.svg
Figure S23C7c Smoke detector symbol
image-S23C7c-smoke-detector-symbol.svg
Figure S23C7d End-of-line device symbol
image-S23C7d-end-of-line-device-symbol.svg
Figure S23C7e Fire indicator panel symbol
image-S23C7e-fire-indicator-panel-symbol.svg
Figure S23C7f Smoke alarm symbol
image-S23C7f-smoke-alarm-symbol.svg

To specify technical requirements for wiring and ensure provision of standardised diagrams.

(1) Connection of a residential sprinkler system to a fire station or other approved monitoring service must be via a sprinkler alarm switch, connected to alarm signalling equipment.

(2) The connection from the alarm signalling equipment must be in accordance with AS 1670.3.

(3) The alarm signalling equipment must be installed—

  1. in a secure, accessible position; and
  2. in a weatherproof housing, if located externally; and
  3. not more than 500 mm from the system flow switch.

To provide the requirements for connecting residential sprinkler systems to external fire stations or other monitoring services.

The fire signal from the alarm signalling equipment must be mimicked by an audible and visible signal at the fire indicator panel.

To provide accurate information at the fire indicator panel to assist fire response activities.