Dry Fire Insights

When most people think about a fire alarm system, they picture smoke detectors connected to a fire alarm panel by cables running throughout the building. For decades, this has been the traditional approach to fire detection systems. Today, however, wireless fire alarm technology is becoming increasingly common in certain applications, particularly within existing buildings where installing new cabling may be difficult, disruptive or expensive. For strata committees reviewing

When most people think about a fire alarm system, they think about smoke detectors and warning alarms. That is understandable. Smoke detection is often the most visible part of the system. However, in many strata buildings, the fire alarm panel can do much more than simply receive signals from smoke detectors. Depending on the building, it may also interact with doors, lifts, ventilation systems, warning systems, alarm monitoring equipment and other fire safety services. This

One of the most common questions we hear from strata committees, building managers and owners corporations is: "If our fire alarm goes off, does the fire brigade automatically get called?" The answer is: it depends. Some buildings have monitored fire alarm systems that can notify Fire and Rescue NSW. Others do not. Even where monitoring exists, different alarm signals may trigger different response procedures. Understanding what happens when an alarm occurs is an important pa

When discussing fire detection and alarm systems in strata buildings, terms such as "occupant warning system" and "EWIS" are often used interchangeably. In reality, they are not quite the same thing. Both systems provide occupant warning, but they contain different capabilities and are governed by different Australian Standards. Understanding the difference is important because the type of warning system installed within a building can have a significant impact on: Building o

When a strata building is considering a fire detection system replacement, significant modification, or the selection of a new fire detection platform, one of the most important questions is often one that nobody thinks to ask: "Is the proposed system proprietary or non-proprietary?" The answer can affect who can maintain the system, who can supply parts, how future system changes are managed and what the building may pay over the life of the system. For many owners corporati

When a strata building is considering changes to its fire detection system, one of the first technical questions that usually comes up is whether the building has a conventional or addressable fire detection system. For many owners corporations, strata committees and building managers, the terminology can be confusing. The difference matters because it can affect system cost, installation complexity, fault finding, future maintenance and how easily the building can be modifie

In many buildings, the terms “smoke alarm” and “smoke detection system” are often used interchangeably. They are not the same thing. Understanding the difference is important for owners corporations, strata committees and building managers, especially when dealing with Fire Safety Orders, ageing fire detection systems, or projects where changes to a building's fire safety measures may involve multiple stakeholders beyond the fire contractor. What is a smoke alarm? A smoke a