AS 1851-2012 takes a detailed and systematic approach to inspection requirements, not only mandating regular assessments but also specifying which components must be examined. When applied to water tanks, this means a comprehensive evaluation of structural integrity, as well as the condition of valves, pipelines, and associated equipment.
This thorough inspection process ensures that every aspect of the water storage system is routinely assessed, reducing the risk of unnoticed issues that could affect safety and functionality.
To comply with Australian regulations, all firewater tanks must undergo regular inspections, with maintenance conducted in accordance with AS 1851-2012.
Summary
The structure of the Standard has been simplified to enhance clarity for stakeholders. Reporting documentation requirements, including logbooks, tags, labels, and summary records, have been reorganized for better accessibility. Additionally, the Standard now provides a clearer distinction between initial installation, routine service, and annual regulatory compliance.
By establishing a systematic framework for minimum routine service activities, the Standard serves as a foundation for developing specific servicing regimes. It also mandates documentary evidence in the form of records and reports, ensuring that responsible entities can effectively meet their regulatory obligations.
Regulatory Requirements
Currently, the responsibility for defining the maintenance standards for fire protection systems and equipment in buildings and land falls upon the respective State and Territory Governments in Australia. This extends to properties under their jurisdiction, as well as privately owned ones. The Federal Government, on the other hand, holds the responsibility for overseeing fire protection standards on Commonwealth land and buildings, regardless of their location within a State or Territory. This control is established by each state or territory through an Act of Parliament (Act), which is their primary form of legislation. These Acts, in turn, can authorize the creation of Regulations to implement the Act. Simply put, the Act establishes the principles and goals for compliance, while the Regulations detail how these goals are to be met. Regulations, in turn, can make full, partial, or modified references to external documents such as Codes or Standards. This allows documents such as the National Construction Code (Australian Building Code) and Australian Standards to become part of the regulatory regime of State or Territory governments. An Act may “refer” to Regulations, which may “refer” to Codes or Standards. When Regulations, Codes, or Standards are referenced (or partially referenced), there is a legal obligation to follow the provisions or those that are referenced. Codes and Standards are not mandatory unless specifically referenced. This is commonly referred to as the legislative hierarchy. Because each state and territory has its own legislative and regulatory framework governing safety measures (of which Fire Protection Systems and Equipment are a part), each state and territory has its own terminology.
The Significance of Regulatory Requirements in this Domain are:
- AS 1851-2012 (Routine Service of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment): This standard sets clear guidelines for the frequency, scope, and documentation of inspections and maintenance.
- Local Building Codes and Regulations: Building codes and regulations serve the purpose of guaranteeing the safety of individuals within structures and safeguarding property.
- Environmental Regulations: These regulations aim to protect natural resources and ecosystems by ensuring responsible water usage, containment, and spill prevention.
- Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulations: Water tank maintenance often requires workers to access confined spaces or work at heights, posing various risks.
- Industry-Specific Standards: These standards ensure that water tanks meet the unique needs and safety requirements of the industry in question.
Implementation of AS 1851-2012
Based on the primary legislation in your jurisdiction, the following provides a summary of your local adoption and use of AS 1851-2012. Note: This is only general information; for complete details, contact the relevant regulatory authority in your state or territory. The ease with which the States and Territories formally adopt AS 1851-2012 will be critical to its success. At present, Tasmania, Queensland, and South Australia are at the forefront, and the acceptance of this Standard across the entire country remains to be seen. The property industry experiences significant financial losses annually as a result of variations in regulatory compliance practices across different jurisdictions. It is high time for national harmonization in regulatory compliance to address this issue.
