Fire Panel Batteries & AS1851 Requirements
If you’ve recently had your fire panel serviced and noticed a non critical defect or non-conformance relating to the batteries, you’re not alone.
Wireless Interlink Modules and Bases in Smoke Alarms
What Are Wireless Modules and Bases? Modern smoke alarms in multi-level homes or properties with multiple smoke alarms (inside sole occupancy units or
Lithium Ion Batteries & Fire Compliance
While there are currently no requirements under the National Construction Code (NCC) for the storage or charging of lithium-ion batteries, fire risks associated
Deferred Implementation of AS1851 (Feb 2026)
NSW has deferred mandatory compliance with AS 1851 until 13 February 2026, but fire safety obligations remain. Learn what this means for building owners, how to stay compliant, and why early action is key to protecting your property and occupants.
Vegetation Management – Hydrants
Ensure fire safety in your strata building by maintaining vegetation clearances & visibility around hydrant boosters and valves. Learn about essential standards, real-life examples, and tips for keeping hydrants accessible and vegetation managed. Prioritize safety with expert advice from Civil Fire.
5-Yearly Servicing of Hydrant & Sprinkler Systems
With the legislation of AS1851 in NSW coming into force in 2025, the 5-yearly service of the fire hydrant system and sprinkler system
Smoke Alarms for the Deaf & Hearing Impaired
Conventional AS3786 smoke alarms are designed to produce 85dB at a distance of 3 meters when in alarm. Whilst this is adequate to wake most people from sleep, it may not be enough to wake those who have moderate or severe hearing loss.
Smoke alarms save lives, but those who are deaf or hard of hearing cannot depend on the sound of the regular alarm to alert them to a fire.
The solution is to install a specially designed smoke alarm system comprised of:
- A smoke detector – which produces a high frequency alarm sound,
- A strobe – which produces high-intensity light, designed to wake a sleeping person, andÂ
- A vibrating pad – which is placed under the pillow in order to shake the person awake.
In the event of a fire all 3 components will simultaneously activate, which should be sufficient to rouse a hearing impaired person from even a deep sleep.
The strobe plugs into a power point. It can be put on the bedside table, or it can be mounted to the wall near the bed.
This system retails for around $600 + GST.
For more information:
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I don’t think we’ve had contractors come through before who were so clean and tidy, helpful and responsive with ideas about how to better maintain the heritage and be compliant and generally respectful of the property.
He was so thoughtful, he stopped the really noisy part of the repair so I could answer calls. I went out at lunch, and he was on his hands and knees washing the floor in the entry because he’d brought in some debris from the street.
