Fire sprinkler connections

The Fire Protection Association of Australia recently provided South East Water with information regarding the significant volumes of water utilised and wasted in the testing of fire sprinkler systems. In some cases millions of litres of drinking water is running to waste annually as part of regular testing of fire systems.

South East Water acknowledges that fire systems must be ready at all times to respond effectively in case of fire and that regular testing must be carried out to ensure this, however the volumes of water going to waste from testing is clearly unacceptable.

With this in mind South East Water has s proposing to implement changes to it’s ‘Conditions of Connection’ for new Fire Sprinkler System installations.

Accordingly projects which commence design phase as of 1 March 2008 will be required to meet the following requirements when seeking to connect to South East Water’s assets:

Changes to South East Water ‘Conditions of Connection’

Confirmation that the system design incorporates all necessary features called for in AS1851:2005 Maintenance of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment and or subsequent versions of AS1851 to allow monthly testing of the Fire Sprinkler System.

and

Where booster pumps are required, the system must incorporate recirculating equipment such as storage tanks or other methods to reduce or eliminate the waste of test water. A minimum of 80 percent of test water must be recirculated.

Please note: South East Water will also introduce the requirement for the installation of a Magnetic flow meter to register all water used through the fire system.

Fire Sprinkler System Diagram

In November 2007 the Building Commission issues a Practice Note 2007-61 to provide the Fire Industry and building owners and operators with important information which will assist in reducing use of our precious drinking water without compromising building safety.
Building Commission Practice Notes