This article discusses basement garage heat detector spacing requirements and whether extra sensors are needed for compliance.
Question: At great expense, our new fire contractor demands we install additional sensors in the basement garage. If our building has been compliant for the past 8 years, is this necessary?
Our new fire contractor recently advised of a fire defect in our basement garage. All the heat sensors are approximately 7 metres apart except for two sensors above the ramp going from B1 to B2. These two sensors are approximately 20 metres apart.
At great expense, the fire contractor demands we install two additional sensors. Our building has been compliant since initial occupation 8 years ago. The builder insists the garage sensors are compliant. Who is right in this situation, and where is the regulation?
Answer: It seems reasonable that all devices in the area should be spaced the same.
This is a very general response as a number of variables could affect it, but here’s the best info based on the limited info provided.
7.2 metres between heat detectors is exactly as listed in the code (AS1670.1-2004 and most earlier and later versions), so it seems reasonable that all devices in the area should be spaced the same.
This post appears in Strata News #698.
Rob Broadhead
2020 Fire Protection
E: rob.broadhead@2020fire.com.au
P: 1300 340 210
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