History
In 1989, a fire protection equipment listing scheme was established by the Scientific Services Laboratory (SSL). This Scheme was as a joint government agency and industry response to issues that were identified throughout a process of review by the Committee of Review of Standards Accreditation and Quality Control and Assurance (the Foley Report).
In 1999, the listing scheme was formally designated as ActivFire®. Subsequently in October 2004, the services and facilities of SSL were transferred to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, and now operates under CSIRO Infrastructure Technologies as part of the CSIRO Verification Services team.
The objectives of the scheme for certification and listing of active fire protection equipment includes the following:
- To verify the conformity (compliance) of equipment through physical testing and appraisal to relevant and endorsed standards and specifications (reference criteria).
- To verify and recognise approvals and certifications by other national and international bodies.
- To provide an effective and transparent mechanism for appraisal, testing, certification and listing of emerging and new technologies in the field of active fire protection equipment and systems.
- To provide reference documentation and information which supports the various building regulation and authority requirements for “Evidence of Suitability” for equipment used in building construction.
- To maintain a continuing process that provides means by which the conformity of changes to products can be submitted and verified.
- To maintain a Register of Fire Protection Equipment to publicly list and promulgate, products which meet established reference criteria for listing.
Verification and validation of conformity for products listed by the CSIRO ActivFire® Scheme is established from documented reference criteria such as:
- Australian Standards.
- International Standards.
- CSIRO Technical Specifications.
Procedures and mechanisms for monitoring compliance and performance vary but generally include the following:
- A registration, review and verification process for changes and variations to a product design and/or production.
- Consignment or production batch selection, inspection and physical testing of commercial smoke and heat detectors.
- Follow-up inspection and/or physical testing.
Listed products are identified in the Register of Fire Protection Equipment. This resource exists principally as a database accessed through this website. Information and supplemental documentation, such as the following, are also provided on this website: