Fire Extinguisher Rule Update #2

08/09/09…Pam Franz…courtesy of www.nasr.com.au – N A S R National Office posted Thursday September 3, 2009 – update #2

All speedway teams are required to carry as a minimum in the pit area/transporters effective immediately:

A 2.0kg Dry Chemical Powder Extinguisher or greater may be used strictly with the following compliance points:

The extinguisher is compliant to AS 1841.5 and that it carries the Australian Standards Tick Certification sticker on the body of the extinguisher. AS 1841.5 pertains to (Powder Extinguishers) Design, and Commissioning Standard.
The standard AS/NZS 1841.1 also is stamped on the bottom or rim of the Extinguisher under the powder coat or paint. AS/NZS 1841.1 pertains to (General Requirements) for Design, and Commissioning Standard.

Simply, Most extinguishers imported in Australia usually carry these marks and or Approvals. Please Check for the above items before you buy.

The extinguisher must carry a yellow date tag. This tag is the last part of the requirement and it ensures that the extinguisher is serviced and maintained in accordance to AS1851 section 15. The tag should carry the standard AS1851 printed on it. As 1851 section 15 means in simple terms the Portable fire extinguisher is serviced routinely at 6 monthly intervals, by a deemed competent person. Such checks include :accessibility, anti tamper device, operating labels, tag, damage, corrosion, hose condition, pressure indicator, head or cap assembly, signage, bracket, discharge nozzle. If serviced correctly, all of these items should be a pass only. You may find the tags hard to find, a fire protection company will have them. Retailers like hardware stores etc won’t have them.

Other types of fire extinguishers that will comply to this ruling are;

9 Litre AFFF Foam extinguishers, AR or ATC type concentrate are the best types but AFFF will pass. These extinguishers must comply with compliance points 2 & 3 above.

9 Litre Cold Fire extinguishers. These extinguishers must comply with compliance points 2 & 3 above.

All of the above information was lifted from AS 1851-2005 (maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment) Australian Standard Professional Pack.