Definitions and Standards
The following definitions and standards cover some of the Fire Protection Standards required for the Australian market and ISO worldwide Standards.
Australian Standard AS5062-2016
Fire protection for mobile and transportable equipment.
Specifies fire risk management procedures and the minimum requirements for fire protection system design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance for use on mobile and transportable equipment. The requirements for listing of fire protection systems and the testing requirements for pre-engineered foam-water spray systems are also specified.
ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System
ISO Standard 9001:2015 specifies requirements for a quality management system when an organization:
a) needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, and
b) aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
All the requirements of ISO Standard 9001:2015 are generic and are intended to be applicable to any organization, regardless of its type or size, or the products and services it provides.
Reference: https://www.iso.org/standard/62085.html
AS 1851 – 2012 Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment
Each state has its own legislation that pulls AS1851 Australian Standard, under the Australian Law, applicable to the state legislation.
AS 1851 Fire Service Standard has the majority of Routine Service of Fire Equipment for Inspection, Test and Preventative Maintenance. Other service intervals of fire safety include exit and emergency lighting found in AS 2293.
Included in this document is procedures and testing service intervals for:
- Fire Sprinklers
- Fire Pump Sets
- Fire Hydrant Systems
- Water Storage Tanks for Fire Protection Systems
- Fire Detection and Alarms Systems
- Special Hazard Systems
- Delivery Lay Flat Hose
- Fire Hose Reels
- Portable and Wheeled Fire Extinguishers
- Fire Blankets
- Passive Fire and Smoke Systems
- Fire and Smoke Control Features of Mechanical Services
- Emergency Planning In Facilities
AS 1851 has been designed to ensure that all fire equipment is in optimal working condition at any given period especially in the event of a fire. Fire Service Technicians refer to AS1851 as the Bible for the Fire Services Industry. The installation standard for each service comes first and then after the commissioning has been completed, AS1851 is to be followed.
Reference: https://fireregulations.com.au/as1851/
ISO 23875:2021
Mining
Air quality control systems for operator enclosures
Performance requirements and test methods
Published in February 2021, ISO 23875 is a new international standard that unifies the design, testing, operation, and maintenance of air quality control systems for heavy machinery cabs and other operator enclosures, particularly in the mining industry. Adherence to the requirements and testing methods set out in the standard supports the safety of machine users, improves productivity, promotes operator alertness, and enables companies to reach exposure reduction goals.
ISO Standard 9001:2015 document specifies performance and design requirements for air quality control systems for operator enclosures and their monitoring devices. The design specifications are universal in their application and do not contemplate specific mining environments. They are intended to meet identified parameters of both pressurization and respirable particulate and carbon dioxide concentrations. This document also specifies test methods to assess such parameters and provides operational and maintenance instructions. Recommendations are made for operational integration of the air quality control system.
Gases and vapours that can be a hazard in the work environment outside of the operator enclosure are excluded from this document.
There are 5 performance and Engineering Requirements of ISO 23875:
- Higher filter efficiency requirements
- Defined maximum CO2 level
- Recirculation and fresh air system requirements
- Established cab pressurization levels
- Real-time operator cab monitoring
Some of the improvements include:
- Maximum sustained CO2 levels
- Maximum respirable particulate matter
- Speed of particulate matter filtration
- Minimum sustained pressurisation is 20Pa
- Maximum sustained pressurisation is 200Pa
Reference: https://www.iso.org/standard/77249.html
Safe Work Australia: Exposure standards – Airborne Contaminants
Exposure standards – airborne contaminants
Australia is transitioning to the Workplace exposure limits – airborne contaminants (WEL list). Until 1 December 2026, you must still comply with the Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants. Contact your work health and safety regulator for further information.
Work processes can release dusts, gases, fumes, vapours, or mists into the air. These are known as airborne contaminants and may be invisible. People that breathe in airborne contaminants at work may be at risk of adverse health effects, including developing an occupational lung disease.
Persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) must eliminate or minimise risks in the workplace, so far as is reasonably practicable. This includes risks from airborne contaminants in the workplace and ensuring that workers and others at the workplace are not exposed to levels of airborne contaminants above their workplace exposure standard (WES).