Specification 17 Fire sprinkler systems
S17C1
Scope
2019: Spec E1.5: 1
This Specification sets out requirements for the design and installation of fire sprinkler systems.
S17C2
Application of automatic fire sprinkler standards
2019: Spec E1.5: 2
Subject to this Specification, an automatic fire sprinkler system must comply with—
- for a Class 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9b building: AS 2118.1; or
- for a Class 2, 3, 4 9a or 9c building: AS 2118.1, except clause 5.9.10 of AS 2118.1 does not apply and is replaced with ‘Covered balconies shall be sprinkler protected’; or
- 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
- for Class 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9a (other than a residential care building (Vic)) or 9b parts of a building less than 25 m in effective height, 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—
- a FPAA101D sprinkler system cannot be used where the Class 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9a (other than a residential care building (Vic)) or 9b parts—
- contain more than 2 storeys; or
- are more than 25% of the total floor area of the building; or
- are located above the fourth storey; and
- 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
- a FPAA101D sprinkler system cannot be used where the Class 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9a (other than a residential care building (Vic)) or 9b parts—
- for a Class 2 or 3 building with a rise in storeys of not more than 3: AS 2118.4 as applicable; or
- for a combined sprinkler and hydrant system: AS 2118.6; or
- for a Class 9a health-care building used as a residential care buildiing (Vic): AS 2118.4 as applicable; or
- for a Class 9c building: AS 2118.4 as applicable.
Application of automatic fire sprinkler standards
Subject to this Specification, an automatic fire sprinkler system must comply with—
- for all building classifications: AS 2118.1; or
- 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
- 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—
- a FPAA101D sprinkler system cannot be used where the Class 5, 6, 7, 8, 9a (other than a residential care building) or 9b parts—
- 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
- for a combined sprinkler and fire hydrant system: AS 2118.6; or
- for a Class 9a health-care building used as a residential care building: AS 2118.4 as applicable; or
- for a Class 2, 3 or 9c building: AS 2118.4 as applicable.
S17C3
Separation of sprinklered and non-sprinklered areas
2019: Spec E1.5: 3
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—
- comply with any specific requirement of the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of the BCA; or
- where there is no specific requirement, comply with the relevant part of AS 2118, FPAA101D or FPAA101H.
S17C4
Protection of openings
2019: Spec E1.5: 4
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.
S17C5
Quick response sprinklers
2019: Spec E1.5: 5
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.
S17C6
Sprinkler valve enclosures
2019: Spec E1.5: 6
S17C7
Water supply
2019: Spec E1.5: 7
- the storage tank is located at the topmost storey of the building; and
- the building occupancy is classified as no more hazardous than Ordinary Hazard 2 (OH2) under AS 2118.1; and
- an operational fire brigade service is available to attend a building fire.
S17C8
Building occupant warning system
2019: Spec E1.5: 8
S17C9
Connection to other systems
2019: Spec E1.5: 9
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.
S17C10
Anti-tamper devices
2019: Spec E1.5: 10
- 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
- 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.
S17C11
Sprinkler systems in carparks
2019: Spec E1.5: 11
A sprinkler system protecting a carpark complying with S5C19(3) in a multi-classified building must—
- be independent of the sprinkler system protecting any part of the building not used as a carpark; or
- 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.
S17C12
Residential care buildings
2019: Spec E1.5: 12
- a Class 3 building used as a residential care building; or
- a Class 9a health-care building used as a residential care building; or
- a Class 9c building,
must comply with sub-clause (2).
- be provided with a monitored main stop valve in accordance with AS 2118.1; and
- be permanently connected with a direct data link or other approved monitoring system to a fire station or fire station dispatch centre.
S17C13
Sprinkler systems in lift installations
2019: Spec E1.5: 13
- have heads protected from accidental damage by way of a guard that will not impair the performance of the head; and
- be capable of being isolated and drained, either separately or collectively, without isolating any other sprinklers within the building.
S17C14
Early childhood centres
New for 2022
Quick response sprinklers must be provided to a Class 9b early childhood centre required to have an automatic fire sprinkler system.
Limitations
S17C14 does not apply to a Class 9b early childhood centre—
- wholly within a storey that provides direct egress to a road or open space; or
- with a rise in storeys of not more than 2, where the Class 9b early childhood centre is the only use in that building.