Specification 17 Fire sprinkler systems

This Specification sets out requirements for the design and installation of fire sprinkler systems.

Subject to this Specification, an automatic fire sprinkler system must comply with—

1. for all building classifications: AS 2118.1; or
2. for a Class 2 or 3 building with an effective height of not more than 25 m and a rise in storeys of 4 or more: Specification 18 and the relevant provisions of this Specification as applicable; or
3. for Class 5, 6, 7, 8, 9a (other than a residential care building) or 9b (other than a Class 9b early childhood centre) parts of a building with an effective height not more than 25 m, which also contains Class 2 or 3 parts: a sprinkler system in accordance with Specification 18 as for a Class 2 or 3 building and the relevant provisions of this Specification except—
   1. a FPAA101D sprinkler system cannot be used where the Class 5, 6, 7, 8, 9a (other than a residential care building) or 9b parts—
      1. contain more than 2 storeys; or
      2. are more than 25% of the total floor area of the building; or
      3. are located above the fourth storey; and
   2. a FPAA101D or FPAA101H sprinkler system cannot be used where the Class 7a part (other than an open-deck carpark) accommodates more than 40 vehicles; or
4. for a combined sprinkler and fire hydrant system: AS 2118.6; or
5. for a Class 9a health-care building used as a residential care building: AS 2118.4 as applicable; or
6. for a Class 2, 3 or 9c building: AS 2118.4 as applicable.

Where a part of a building is not protected with sprinklers, the sprinklered and non-sprinklered parts must be fire-separated with a wall or floor which must—

1. comply with any specific requirement of the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of the BCA; or
2. where there is no specific requirement, comply with the relevant part of AS 2118, FPAA101D or FPAA101H.

Any openings, including those for service penetrations, in construction separating sprinklered and non-sprinklered parts of a building, including the construction separating the areas nominated for omitted protection in AS 2118.1, must be protected in accordance with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of Part C4.

Quick response sprinklers may be installed only if they are suitable for the type of application proposed and it is demonstrated that the sprinkler system is designed to accommodate their use.

(1) Sprinkler alarm valves must be located in a secure room or enclosure which has direct egress to a road or open space.

(2) All sprinkler valve rooms and enclosures must be secured with a system suitable for use by the fire brigade.

(1) A required sprinkler system must be provided with at least one water supply.

(2) A required sprinkler system in a building greater than 25 m in effective height must be provided with a dual water supply except that a secondary water supply storage capacity of 25,000 litres may be used if—

1. the storage tank is located at the topmost storey of the building; and
2. the building occupancy is classified as no more hazardous than Ordinary Hazard 2 (OH2) under AS 2118.1; and
3. an operational fire brigade service is available to attend a building fire.

A required sprinkler system, except a FPAA101D sprinkler system, must be connected to and activate a building occupant warning system complying with S20C7.

Where a smoke hazard management system is installed and is actuated by smoke detectors, the sprinkler system must, wherever practicable, be arranged to also activate the smoke hazard management system.

(1) Where a sprinkler system is installed—

1. over any stage area in a theatre, public hall or the like, visual and audible status indication of sprinkler valves must be provided at the location normally used by the stage manager; or
2. in a space housing lift electrical and control equipment (including machine rooms, secondary floors and sheave rooms), any valves provided to control sprinklers in these spaces must be located adjacent to the space.

(2) Any valves provided to control sprinklers required by (1) must be fitted with anti-tamper monitoring devices connected to a monitoring panel.

A sprinkler system protecting a carpark complying with S5C19(3) in a multi-classified building must—

1. be independent of the sprinkler system protecting any part of the building not used as a carpark; or
2. if forming part of a sprinkler system protecting a part of the building not used as a carpark, be designed such that the section protecting the non-carpark part can be isolated without interrupting the water supply or otherwise affecting the effective operation of the section protecting the carpark.

(1) In addition to the provisions of AS 2118.4, a sprinkler system in—

1. a Class 3 building used as a residential care building; or
2. a Class 9a health-care building used as a residential care building; or
3. a Class 9c building,

must comply with sub-clause (2).

(2) Any sprinkler system referred to in (1) must—

1. be provided with a monitored main stop valve in accordance with AS 2118.1; and
2. be permanently connected with a direct data link or other approved monitoring system to a fire station or fire station dispatch centre.

(1) Where sprinklers are installed in a space housing lift electrical and control equipment, including machine rooms, secondary floors and sheave rooms, sprinklers in these spaces must—

1. have heads protected from accidental damage by way of a guard that will not impair the performance of the head; and
2. be capable of being isolated and drained, either separately or collectively, without isolating any other sprinklers within the building.

(2) Valves provided to control sprinklers referred to in (1) must be installed in accordance with S17C10(2).

Quick response sprinklers must be provided to a Class 9b early childhood centre required to have an automatic fire sprinkler system.