Pre-Engineered Suppression Systems (Non-Gaseous)

These are “bolt-on” systems designed to protect specific high-risk machinery or localized areas. A Certificate II technician (specifically with unit CPPFES2027) is authorised to service these under AS 1851.

1. Kitchen Hood Suppression Systems (Wet Chemical)

Commonly found in commercial kitchens over deep fryers and ranges (e.g., Ansul R-102 systems).

  • Agent: Wet Chemical solution (Potassium-based).
  • Servicing: Monthly visual checks and six-monthly functional testing of the tensioned cable firing mechanism and nozzle alignment.
  • Component Focus: Fusible links must be replaced annually or every two years depending on the manufacturer’s specification.

2. Vehicle Fire Suppression Systems

Installed on heavy plant machinery, mining equipment, and buses.

  • Agent: Often AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) or specialized dry chemicals.
  • Servicing: These systems operate in harsh, high-vibration environments. Service involves checking cylinder pressures, ensuring the “loss of pressure” (LOP) or “rise of pressure” (ROP) detection lines are intact, and verifying the manual actuators are not obstructed.

14. Gaseous Fire Suppression Systems (Clean Agent)

Servicing gaseous systems is a highly regulated area due to the use of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and Synthetic Greenhouse Gases (SGG). A Cert II technician with unit CPPFES2025 and an Extinguishing Agent Handling Licence (EAHL) can service these “Special Hazard” systems.

Common Gaseous Agents:

  1. Inergen / IG-55: Natural gases (Nitrogen/Argon) that extinguish fire by reducing oxygen levels to below 15%.
  2. FM-200 / Novec 1230: Chemical “clean agents” that absorb heat and interrupt the combustion chain without displacing oxygen to dangerous levels.

Service Allowances (AS 1851 – Section 11):

  • Monthly/Six-Monthly: Technicians verify the structural integrity of the protected enclosure (Room Integrity), check the weight/pressure of the storage cylinders, and test the Control and Indicating Equipment (CIE).
  • Room Integrity Testing: A critical part of gaseous servicing is the “Door Fan Test” to ensure the room is “tight” enough to hold the gas concentration for the required 10-minute “soak time.”

15. Water-Based Suppression (Sprinkler Systems)

While complex repairs and five-year overhauls often require a licensed Sprinkler Fitter (Cert III), a Cert II technician with unit CPCPFS3040 is qualified for Routine Service activities.

1. Fire Sprinkler Systems (Wet Pipe)

  • Service Allowance: Monthly and Six-monthly routine inspections.
  • Key Tasks: Testing the Installation Alarm Valve (Gong Test), checking main stop valves are locked open, and verifying that the “Annunciator” (the alarm panel) correctly receives the signal when water flows.

2. Residential Sprinkler Systems (AS 2118.4)

  • Service Allowance: Annual functional testing of residential-grade heads and flow switches in apartment complexes or aged care facilities.

Summary of Cert II Servicing Allowances

System CategoryRelevant AS 1851 SectionCert II Competency Code
Pre-Engineered (Kitchen/Vehicle)Section 13CPPFES2027
Gaseous SuppressionSection 11CPPFES2025
Fire Sprinklers (Routine)Section 2CPCPFS3040
Fire Pumpsets (Routine)Section 3CPCPFS3041