DESIGN GUIDE

FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

COMPARISON OF AS2118.1 2006 TO 1999

1

DESIGNING FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMSADOPTION OF AS 2118.1 2006

The new sprinkler code was issued in 2006 and came with some controversy regarding it’s application.

W hile the authors believe this new standard is an improvement over the previous there is no

requirement for designers to adopt.

This design guide provides a list of some of the key changes that have been adopted. For further

information call Paul Verheijden on 03 9870 1217 or email paul@integratedfire.com.au.

Adoption

1. AS2118.1 2006 is not referenced in the BCA

2. AS2118.1 2006 may be adopted as an alternative solution.

3. This alternative must be approved by the relevant building surveyor rather than the fire

brigade

Water Supply

1. New concept of maximum transit time for pre-action system has been adopted and set

at 60 secs. Some specific systems may require a lesser value i.e. deluge systems to

respond within 30sec

2. W ater supplies are now explained in terms of 'reliable' or 'not reliable'

3. Concept of 'dual water supply' introduced and may be required by the client or insurer,

but is not an AS requirement

4. 4 pumps are not required in the instance of dual water supply as implied in the

standard

General items

1. Beam rule error - Table 5.5.2; Upright and Pendant columns are the wrong way round

2. Rolling storage cabinets to be greater than 100 mm below sprinkler heads and must

occupy an area < 9.0 m 2

3. Concealed space sprinkler requirements are now more stringent

4. Concealed spaces 200 mm < h < 800 mm can have a skeleton spacing of fast

response light hazard sprinklers as an alternative to draft stops at 15,000 mm

(skeleton spacing: 6,000 mm x 7,000 mm max.)

5. Sprinkler heads in now to be rated for minimum flow rather than minimum pressure

6. Flexible pipes are to be 20 DN or greater for light hazard and 25 DN for ordinary

hazard

7. Flexible pipes are not to be longer than 3,700 mm

8. W hen performing hydraulic calculations for flexible piping, 2 elbows are to be added to

the calculation as friction loss to the system

9. Static pressure test now to be 1400kPa or 400kPa greater than the maximum static

pressure, which ever is greater

10. A pneumatic pressure test can be done on the system prior to wetting the system, at

300kPa for 30min with less than 10% loss

11. Dimensions for water supply valves are to be included on the block plan

12. Pressure gauge schedule to be provided

13. System interface diagram to be provided

14. Ordinary hazard - Sloping roof and ceiling bays now increase number of heads

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DESIGN GUIDE

FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

COMPARISON OF AS2118.1 2006 TO 1999

2

required

15. Residential calculations are to be of more than 200 L/min regardless of no of sprinkler

heads in room of calculation

16. W ater supply graph to be provided on N1.85 graph paper

17. Light Hazard minimum sprinkler spacing increased to 2,500 mm

High Hazard

1. Now divided into 6 categories rather than 4

2. Categories expanded significantly

3. Comprehensive new decision trees have been provided to determine the hazard

category according to the material being stored, height of the building, the method and

the height of the storage

4. Maximum installation size altered

5. K-factors have been expanded beyond 11.5 to accept the use of K=16, 20, 24 or 36

6. Conventional sprinklers not permitted, spray sprinklers only

7. Standard response sprinklers are permitted only

8. Incidental High Hazard storage within ordinary hazard systems is restricted to 20m 2

9. A 30% area penalty on roofs exceeding 9.5 is to be appliedo

10. A maximum of 9 sprinkler heads beneath ducts are to be included in hydraulic

calculations

11. Mezzanine floors can have draft curtains to avoid additional heads above being

included in calculation

12. Excessive storage clearance rules adopted for >6.1m, 4 acceptable options are

provided to combat this

Tanks

1. Tanks with liners are to be sprinkler protected or located away from

2. Tank liners are to be bonded to the inside of the tank

3. Vortex plate fittings in tanks with liners are to have a second solid plate on the bottom

of the tank to prevent the liner from being drawn into the suction line

4. Inlet exclusive quadrant to be incorporated

5. Tank to be drained at 3yr and 10yr after installation

6. Diver may be used as alternative to drain provided tank and liner manufacturer agree

as their warranty is at stake

Conclusion

Adoption of AS 2118.6 is desirable as it represents the latest philosophy of sprinkler system design

and is more in line with overseas codes. Automatic adoption can not be applied unless the designer

provides the design as an alternative to the BCA. This will be accepted by a building surveyor and the

fire brigade will need to be notified (even though they are not required to provide their approval).

Integrated Fire Services recommends that the design report be issued with any design so that a body

of evidence is provided to the building surveyor for the issuing of a building permit.

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