MFPE 2014
CHAPTER 4
MAINTENANCE
Scope
4.1.
This chapter specifies Defence requirements for the maintenance of fire safety measures in
all Defence owned and occupied buildings.
Aim
4.2.
The aim of this chapter is to detail the minimum maintenance requirements of building active
and passive fire safety measures.
References
4.3.
Reference is necessary to the following documents:
a.
National Construction Code Volume One – Building Code of Australia (BCA);
b.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 11—Standard for low-,medium-, and
high-expansion Foam;
c.
Relevant State / Territory building legislation related to building fire safety system
maintenance;
d.
AS 1851-2012—Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment;
e.
AS 2293.2—Maintenance and testing of emergency evacuation lighting in buildings;
f.
AS 2304—Water storage tanks for fire protection systems; and
g.
Guidelines for testing fixed aqueous film forming fire suppression systems – refer to
fire
protection
section
on
http://www.defence.gov.au/estatemanagement/policy/technical/main.htm.
h.
Policy for Defence emergency management and incident response located at
http://intranet.defence.gov.au/emergencymanagement.
Requirements
4.4.
A building’s active and passive fire safety measures must perform to a standard not less
than they were originally required to achieve.
4.5.
Maintenance must be undertaken in accordance with the applicable legislation, standards
and codes in paragraph 4.3.
4.6.
2012.
Defence buildings are to be maintained in accordance with the requirements of AS 1851Notes.
(1)
The 2012 edition of AS 1851 may be applied to fire systems and equipment
regardless of building age. Adopting the 2012 edition will meet relevant State and
Territory maintenance legislation which may refer to previous editions without
substantial change to existing maintenance regimes.
(2)
The full adoption of the new edition is considered important for Defence to meet its
duty of care obligations.
4.7.
Fire safety measures within an approved Alternative Solution or Dispensation must be
maintained in accordance with the requirements specified therein.
4.8.
The maintenance of the fire safety measures in any Defence leased building or part of a
building not on Crown land must comply with the applicable State or Territory legislation.
MFPE 2014
4-2
4.9.
Fire safety measures installed to comply with the MFPE in any Defence occupied building or
part must be maintained in accordance with the applicable design and maintenance standard. For
example, specialist foam Installations in aircraft Hangars shall be maintained/tested in accordance
with the standards referenced in AS 2304 and NFPA 11.
4.10.
Maintenance of foam fire suppression systems shall be in accordance with NFPA 11—
Standard for low-,medium-, and high-expansion Foam. Further Defence requirements related to foam
suppression systems are detailed in the ‘Guidelines for Testing Fixed Aqueous Film Forming Fire
Protection System’ – located in the fire protection section located at
http://www.defence.gov.au/estatemanagement/policy/technical/main.htm.
4.11.
Maintenance of emergency evacuation lighting in buildings shall be in accordance with AS
2293.2.
Yearly condition report
4.12.
For the purpose of compliance with clause 1.17.2 of AS 1851-2012 – which requires a yearly
condition report – the Regional Director is the responsible entity. The Regional Director or their
representative shall also ensure that the yearly condition report is attached to the relevant structure in
DEMS.
Exit doors and doors in paths of travel to exits
4.13.
All required exits and doors in the path of travel to a required exit shall be inspected at least
annually to ensure that the door opens and closes freely. This includes, but is not limited to a
functional test of any electronic or mechanical hardware and the operation of any door latching
hardware. Any deficiencies shall be rectified.
Solid core doors in Living-in-Accommodation
4.14.
All solid core doors bounding public corridors or other units – required by the BCA or other
building legislation – shall be inspected at least annually to ensure that the door opens and closes
freely. This includes, but is not limited to a functional test of the mechanical hardware, self-closers and
the operation of any door latching hardware. The doors are to come to the fully closed and latched
position after each manual opening. Any deficiencies shall be rectified.
Emergency planning
4.15.
For compliance with AS 1851-2012 Section 14, Emergency Planning in Facilities – refer to
Defence Emergency Management and Incident Response requirements located at
http://intranet.defence.gov.au/emergencymanagement.