Fire Equipment Maintenance - Frequently Asked Questions about Services and Equipment
What is FEM?
What portable fire equipment is maintained by FEM?
What does FEM do?
What is Australian Standard 1851?
What is a FEM service?
What's involved with a Dry Chemical Refill?
What is a hydrostatic test?
What is the difference between the capacity of an extinguisher and the rating of an extinguisher?
Who should provide advice to me (business owner) about the equipment I require?
Why should my business have a portable fire equipment maintenance program?
Is there a website to visit that describes classes of buildings?
Why should my business have CFA FEM to maintain our portable fire equipment?
What should I do if we use an extinguisher to put out a fire?
What's the difference between ABE & BE Dry Chemical Extinguishers?
Types of fire extinguishers used
What is FEM?
F.E.M Fire Equipment Maintenance (FEM) is a commercial operation conducted by CFA through volunteer brigades. The core business is the sale, servicing and inspection of portable fire equipment in public and private enterprise in accordance with Australian Standard 1851.
FEM enhances community safety and generates funds for volunteer brigades. There are approximately 300 brigades engaged in FEM who service around 37,000 customers.
Find your nearest CFA FEM Brigade on the FEM website.
What portable fire equipment is maintained by FEM?
In general terms, the full range of fire extinguishers, fire hose and hose reels, and fire blankets.
What does FEM do?
We visit your premises two (2) times per year. The service performed on the equipment at the time of these service visits is dependant on the last service of each appliance, or the manufacture or last test date.
What is Australian Standard 1851?
AS 1851 is a series of standards that relate to the routine maintenance of fire protection equipment, listed as essential services in the Building Regulations. For further information go to www.buildingcommission.com.au
What is a FEM service?
It is the routine service performed on fire protection equipment maintained by CFA that is described in the maintenance schedules of the 1851 series of Australian Standards. There are five (5) service levels that can be performed on an appliance, when a service is performed on an appliance the service level number is indicated from one (1) to five (5) on the service record tag that is attached to the appliance. During this inspection, CFA officers ensure the extinguisher is correctly hung, not obstructed etc.
What's involved with a Dry Chemical Refill?
It involves the discharge of the extinguisher contents, removal & refurbishment of the head assembly, internal cleaning & inspection of the cylinder, replacement of dry chemical powder with new powder, replacement of the head assembly & re-pressurization.
What is a hydrostatic test?
It is a pressure test that is performed on the fire extinguisher cylinder at either three (3) or five (5) yearly intervals from the date of manufacture or last hydrostatic test date as identified in Table 15.4.3 of Australian Standard 1851-2005 (Level 4 service). This test is performed in conjunction with Level 1 & Level 2 services, and may be performed onsite or the extinguisher may be sent away to a service depot depending on the type of extinguisher.
What is the difference between the capacity of an extinguisher and the rating of an extinguisher?
- The capacity is the volume of extinguishing contents in the extinguisher.
- The rating is the extinguishing performance of the extinguisher on the various classes of fire that the extinguisher is suitable to be used on under still air test conditions.
Who should provide advice to me (business owner) about the equipment I require?
Your local municipal and/or registered building surveyor or delegated officer from CFA or MFB (depending on location). If you employ staff it is highly likely you will need an extinguisher.
Why should my business have a portable fire equipment maintenance program?
Class 2 to 9 buildings require, as a minimum, to have fire extinguishers installed and serviced. Class 1 & 10 are buildings defined as a single dwelling or non-habitable structure, BCA does not require fire extinguishers in these buildings.
Is there a website to visit that describes classes of buildings?
Yes, visit the Australian Building Codes Board website: http://www.abcb.gov.au
Why should my business have CFA FEM to maintain our portable fire equipment?
- Volunteer CFA brigades rely on their communities for support. By selecting a CFA brigade to maintain your fire equipment, you are supporting your local brigade.
- CFA FEM brigades are highly trained and accredited to carry out maintenance of portable fire equipment.
- CFA knows the importance of effective fire equipment - we follow the correct servicing procedures.
- Our standing in our community is important - we perform.
What should I do if we use an extinguisher to put out a fire?
Contact your local CFA/FEM brigade or ring the Fire Equipment Maintenance Office on 1300 36 36 61 to arrange an immediate servicing of that extinguisher.
What's the difference between ABE & BE Dry Chemical extinguishers?
The letters represent the classes of fire that the extinguisher will extinguish.
Dry Chemical ABE (ABC Class Fires most suitable)
Used for fires involving wood, paper, plastic, flammable & combustible liquids but not cooking oils or fats, also can be used for flammable gases and electrical equipment.
Dry Chemical BE (B Class Fires most suitable)
Useful for fires involving flammable and combustible liquids, flammable gases, and electrical equipment.
Types of fire extinguishers used:
- Water Extinguisher (A Class Fires)
Used for fires involving wood, paper and plastics. It is dangerous to use these on flammable liquid, electrical equipment, cooking oil and fat fires.
- Wet Chemical Extinguisher (F Class Fire most suitable)
Used for fires involving wood, paper, plastics, cooking oils and fats. It is dangerous to use on electrical equipment.
- Foam extinguishers (B Class Fire most suitable)
Used for fires involving wood, paper, plastics, flammable and combustible liquids. It is dangerous to use on electrical equipment.
- Dry Chemical ABE (ABC Class Fires most suitable)
Used for fires involving wood, paper, plastic, flammable & combustible liquids but not cooking oils or fats, also can be used for flammable gases and electrical equipment.
- Dry Chemical BE (B Class Fires most suitable)
Useful for fires involving flammable and combustible liquids, flammable gases, and electrical equipment.
- Carbon Dioxide (E Class Fires most suitable)
Useful for fires involving electrical equipment.
- Vaporizing Liquid (E Class Fires most suitable)
Useful for fires involving electrical equipment.
