Fired up - New fire safety laws and an AS1668 revision

Posted: 12 September 2017

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The revised fire safety laws that will come into effect in NSW on October 1st and the proposed updates to AS1668 were discussed a the CIBSE NSW technical seminar this month.


 
The first speaker Brett Fairweather, who sits on the AS1668 Standards Committee, discussed the proposed changes to Part 1 (Fire and smoke control in buildings). The focus was on the impact that the changes will have on most mechanical services designs and the required qualifications for sign off on designs.
 
The second speaker was Alan Host – Specialist Policy Officer, NSW Department of Planning and Environment. Alan provided an overview of the recently published changes to the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000, aimed at improving fire safety in new and existing buildings. The changes cover a number of areas including the new role of ‘competent fire safety practitioner’, submission of fire protection system and performance solution documentation. Alan also discussed applicable Building Code of Australia exemptions for minor fire safety system works, and the new construction inspection authority for Fire and Rescue NSW.



Presentation slides

Brett Fairweather AS1668.1:2015 Fire and smoke control in buildings

Planning Circular - Building Fire Safety Regulation new and changed requirements

Details of the Amends to AS1668.1 were publiched by Brett in Ecolibrium, July 2017