Resource Library
Please see below for further resources and further information on the Building Safety Unit.
Please contact us on buildingsafetysouth@fire.tas.gov.au if you require any assistance.
Owners and occupiers of buildings have a number of fire safety obligations imposed on them by the Fire Service Act 1979 and the General Fire Regulations 2021 . These obligations are primarily aimed at providing for the safety of building occupants and fire-fighters in the event of a fire occurring in a building, and to minimise the spread of fire.
Building Safety Guidelines for building owners and occupiers and the building industry
Building safety guidelines are provided to building owners, occupiers, building surveyors, developers and designers to provide advice and guidance on fire safety aspects in the built environment. These guidelines are written to provide information in addition to the National Construction Code and Australian Standards and other legislation, codes and practices.
Further information for owners, occupiers and users of many types of buildings in Tasmania about these obligations can be obtained from the Building Safety Unit of the Tasmania Fire Service
In making decisions and determinations that relate to fire safety in the built environment, the Building Safety Unit will use the guideline internally to provide consistency in decision making.
If you have any questions relating to any of the published guidelines, please contact the Building Safety Unit on 6166 5544 or buildingsafetysouth@fire.tas.gov.au
0.3.5 Vulnerable Occupants in Residential Buildings TFS V1.4
0.4.1 (WORKING DRAFT) Guide on A2.2(4) of the BCA and referral to the TFS
0.5.1 Guideline for referral of distilleries to TFS V1_2.pdf
Under Development
Under Development
Storz 65mm Hose Coupling Requirements:
The Tasmania Fire Service uses 65mm Storz hermaphrodite couplings for delivery of water to building fire hydrants, fire sprinkler systems and static water supplies. It is critical for safe, efficient and effective firefighting operations and for the safety of building occupants that the Storz couplings comply with minimum requirements. This building safety guideline is based on the requirements of the Tasmania Fire Service to ensure capability with brigade equipment. The guideline is available here.
Any perceived or actual non-compliance couplings must be rectified in line with this guideline or reported to Tasmania Fire Service, Building Safety email: buildingsafetysouth@fire.tas.gov.au
O.2.1 Approved Storz Couplings
Tasmania Fire Service have approved the use of Storz couplings that comply with the minimum requirements. All approved couplings are identified in the ‘Approved Storz Coupling’ Guideline. Only approved couplings must be used for the purposes of firefighting in both the built environment and the bushfire environment. The guideline is available here.
Parts orders must be emailed to CST@dpfem.tas.gov.au with an accompanying purchase order and include the shipping details. ASE kits and parts are dispatched to the delivery address provided on the purchase order. Collection of equipment may be offered, but is dependent on staffing and/or current Health advice. T&I do not have capacity to support a drop-in service.
For all other technical support, requests or queries please contact T&I via email or phone on the below contact details. Any ASE or parts requested to be returned to T&I should be shipped or posted.
Our contact details are:
Technology and Innovation
Level 3, 70 Collins St
Hobart TAS 7000
03 6173 2291
ase.support@dpfem.tas.gov.au
ASE INFORMATION
• ASE Parts and Price 2023/24
• ASE Antenna Guide (V1.1)
• ASE Support and FAQ
• Assistance Guide to Improve LTE Signal
• ASE Video: ASE3119 Startup and Input Demonstration
• ASE3119 Quick Start Guide V1.1
• ASE3119 Installation Guidelines V1.2
• ASE3119 Input Fault Guides V2
• ASE3118 Quick Start Guide
• ASE RM2118/3118 Installation Guidelines
• ASE RM2118/3118 Input Fault Finding Guide
TFS CODE OF PRACTICE FORMS – Any requests which require a TFS Code of Practice form, must be submitted to fire@fire.tas.gov.au as per the instructions contained in the TFS Code of Practice.
Form 6.1 – Installers Start Work Notification
Form 6.2 – Alarm Signalling Equipment (ASE) Application
Form 6.3 – Systems Connection Application
Form 6.4 – Application for Alarm Signalling Equipment Alteration
Form 6.5 – Transfer of Ownership of a Fire Protection System Notification
Form 6.6 – Disconnection of Monitored Fire Protection System
Form 6.7 – Advice from Service Provider
Form 6.8 – Notification of Defect
Form 6.9 – Notification to Upgrade ASE2118 or 3118 to ASE3119
Please note for Form 6.9 – Upgrade installed ASE, the TFS require an individual email per premise with one Form 6.9 and one Purchase Order attached to be sent to fire@fire.tas.gov.au
Under Tasmanian Legislation for building occupancy, it is a requirement that some classes of building must have monitored firm alarm signalling equipment (ASE) installed.
BACKGROUND
The ASE is attached to the building fire alarm to provide early notification to the Tasmanian Fire Service when an alarm is activated.
This has two main benefits:
- It alerts the building occupants that the detection and/or suppression system has picked up the possibility of a fire within the premise and to take action; and
- It provides early notification to firefighters who can then respond in the most efficient and effective way to initiate firefighting operations and undertake life rescue if required.
Over the next 2 years commencing December 2021 the Tasmanian Fire Service will be upgrading all currently installed Romteck 2118 ASE’s to a newer Romteck ASE 4G (dual sim) model.
WHY THE CHANGE?
In October 2019 Telstra announced the shutdown of the 3G Telstra network by June 2024. The current 2118 ASE’s in service are 3G only and will cease to work once the network is shutdown.
The 2118 ASE device is also end of life with the manufacturer Romteck having already introduced the replacement model 3118 Dual SIM 4G device.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?
Prior to the end of 2023 all premises will need to have upgraded to the new model ASE to avoid being cut-off by the 3G network shutdown. In the event of any equipment failure related to the ASE, repairs will not be carried out but rather a new ASE will be installed. Communication will be sent to all premise owners advising them of a 3 month installation timeframe within which their premise must be upgraded.
Once correspondence is received you will need to contact your Fire Alarm Maintenance Contractor who can manage this process for you in its entirety.
COST INVOLVED
The cost of the new ASE required for the upgrade and associated additional parts including contractor fees is the responsibility of the monitored premise owner.
The full costs for the ASE and additional parts are available on the Building Safety Equipment Permits page.
ASE3119
Romteck as the contracted supplier of ASE’s for the Tasmanian Fire Service have advised they will now begin supplying the ASE3119 in their future shipments. TFS will now purchase and supply the ASE3119 as at April 2023. Further information on revised installation and guidelines procedures can be found at www.fire.tas.gov.au.
ENQUIRIES
For further information on your upgrade requirements please email: Monique.Careless@dpfem.tas.gov.au
Further Information
- CBOS Quarterly Update April 2023
- Fire Protection Association Quarterly Update June 2023
- Insurance Council of Australia Quarterly Update June 2023
Hydrant Test Result Sheets
The installation of new fire hydrants are inspected and reported on to the Building Surveyor by the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) as required by the Building Act 2016. Part of this reporting requires the TFS to provide comment on the suitability of the water flows and pressure. When a new hydrant is commissioned (as required by Section 10 of Australian Standard 2419.1) testing to ensure the required flows and pressures is to be undertaken. The TFS have developed a hydrant test sheet to assist plumbers in capturing this required information, which also allows the TFS to receive these results in a consistent format. Flow and Pressure results will be requested in this format as part of the building approval process.
These Hydrant Test Result Sheets are provided for both attack and feed hydrants. Download Hydrant Test Result Sheets:
- Hydrant Test Result Sheet – Fire Hydrant System – Assisted Attack Hydrants
- Hydrant Test Result Sheet – Fire Hydrant System – Feed Hydrants
- Hydrant Test Result Sheet – Fire Hydrant System – Unassisted Attack Hydrants
Guildeline to Completing Tasmania Fire Service Hydrant Test Result Sheets
The Tasmania Fire Service have now released a 2007 revised Guide for the Selection and Location of Portable Fire Extinguishers and Fire Blankets. This document has been reviewed to cater for the release of Australian Standard 1851 – 2005 and provides updated advice to assist in the selection and installation of portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets in and around buildings and supersedes the previous guide dated May 2004. It also contains a schedule of works for maintenance purposes for both portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets as set out in Australian Standard 1851 – 2005. To view the Schedule of Changes to Version 8, visit http://www.fire.tas.gov.au/publications/ScheduleofchangestoVersion8.pdf
In the event that uncertainty still exists once you have referred to the Guide, it is recommended that additional advice be sought from the relevant Council or the Tasmania Fire Service (Building Safety Unit).
The Tasmania Fire Service have a position on the use of portable fire extinguishers on lithium-ion battery fires. Please read the below guideline for additional information.
0_7_1_Guideline for the use of portable fire extinguishers for lithium battery fires TFS V1_0.pdf
These Fire Safety Guidelines have been produced by the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) Building Safety Unit in the interest of fire safety for stall holders and their employees.
Further advice on requirements for Temporary Structures, Exhibitions, Indoor and Outdoor markets can be obtained from your local Council.