First Aid

Fires in the work environment have significant potential to cause losses.

These losses may be in the form of:

• Loss of life
• Injury to employees
• Property damage
• Product damage
• Equipment damage
• Loss of information
• Community damage; and
• Environmental damage

Fighting Fires

The arrangements for fighting fires should be determined as part of the overall emergency planning process for a building or a worksite. Whatever the agreed arrangements, roles specific to firefighting need to be determined and appropriate training undertaken. Re-training should occur at planned intervals [also determined in the overall emergency planning processes].

Fire fighting equipment: Australian Standards

The most effective way to determine what is required in terms of fire fighting equipment in a building or worksite is to seek expert advice form a recognised authority such as the Fire Authority or Building Inspectors. 

Australian Standards also provide a wealth of information. These Standards are not regulations per se, unless called up in other regulations. There are hundreds of Australian Standards on fire and fire control – users need to determine an appropriate mix to suit their specific needs.

The Standards Association also has assembled a number of "Collections" to provide a guide to the range of standards available concerning fire related topics:

• Collection 13: Fire - Detection and alarm
• Collection 14: Fire - Extinguishing systems
• Collection 15: Fire - Extinguishing equipment
• Collection 16: Fire - Sprinkler systems

The following are some of the specific Australian Standards:

• AS MP 24 Use of lifts in emergencies
• AS 1851 Maintenance of fire protection equipment
• AS 1940 Rules for the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
• AS 2220 Rules for emergency warning and intercommunication systems for buildings
• AS 2441 Installation of fire hose reels
• AS 2444 Portable fire extinguishers - selection and location
• AS 3745 Emergency control organization and procedures for buildings, structures and workplaces (amended May 2004)
• AS 1221 Fire hose reels
• AS 1603 Automatic fire detection and alarm systems
• AS 1841 Portable fire extinguishers (series)
• AS 3760 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment
• AS 3504 Fire blankets