Building and Plumbing Industry Commission tackling fire sprinkler water wastage

On November 28, the Building and Plumbing Industry Commission issued a Media Release (below) that The Building and Plumbing Industry Commissions, water authorities and fire protection industry are taking action to reduce the large volume of water used for testing fire sprinkler systems.

Maintenance Essentials continues to take a lead role in the efficient use of water use in fire protection by supporting South East Water, The Building Commission and customers to carry out a pilot program and implement water saving initiatives which may be used industry wide.

In addition, Maintenance Essentials is also involved in standards development and review to ensure relevant practical solutions are developed.

For more information about water saving initiatives in fire sprinkler systems please contact Rod Buncle or Paul Pollock on 1300 30 88 22.

A copy of the media release can be read below;

Media Release

From the Plumbing Industry Commission 28 November 2007

Building and Plumbing Industry Commission tackling fire sprinkler water wastage

The Building and Plumbing Industry Commissions, water authorities and fire protection industry are taking action to reduce the large volume of water used for testing fire sprinkler systems.

Building and Plumbing Industry Commissioner, Tony Arnel, said the Building Commission published a Practice Note Water saving options available when testing fire safety systems aimed at assisting the building industry to reduce water consumption in testing of fire safety systems.

The Commissions, in collaboration with water authorities, have also begun developing a pilot program where a number of buildings will adopt water conservation measures in their routine maintenance of fire sprinkler systems. These learnings will then be used to demonstrate to building owners and the industry, the first-hand experience at the CBD buildings.

“The Commissions are working towards reducing water wastage while ensuring peoples’ lives aren’t put at risk.

“The main concern is that lives aren’t endangered. We need to remember the objective of fire protection standards is to maximise the reliability of fire protection systems to maintain the health, safety and amenity of a building’s occupants.

“The issue was also identified by the Plumbing Industry Commission’s PlumbSmarter sustainability initiative, which asked Victorian licensed and registered plumbing practitioners to have their say about water and energy savings. PlumbSmarter is encouraging the industry to reduce the water wasted in fire sprinkler testing and will research other possible ways to reduce water wastage,” Mr Arnel said.

He added that many buildings with compliant equipment constructed before 1994 can reduce testing frequency immediately.

“The Victorian Government encourages property owners to take non-regulatory measures to save water, which are available now. This includes installing a recycled water system, which reduces the amount of water used in fire sprinkler testing.

“It’s imperative that systems be configured to waste less water. Buildings built after 1994 will need to take one extra step and ensure their Occupancy Permit allows a move away from weekly testing,” he said.

The Australian Building Codes Board is currently undertaking a review of the relevant Australian Standard (AS 2118) to provide a more water efficient design for sprinkler systems, which is expected to be finalised by mid-2008.

The Practice Note on the revised changes that addresses how to use less water is now available at http://www.buildingcommission.com.au.

ENDS …

for media enquiries contact Susannah Tidemann 0414 394 561