Why good maintenance matters

Poor maintenance of essential fire safety measures is one of the leading causes of delays in submitting an Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS), and delays in submission of an AFSS for your facility can be more than just a headache, they can incur real financial costs in the form of fines. If you need assistance in submitting a Stay of Infringement (SOI) contact Futura Fire to discuss options that suit your business requirements.

Are my fire hose reels being maintained correctly?

Maintenance of fire hose reels is governed by AS1851, but what does that mean? How can you tell if you are currently getting the service you are paying for? Here is a non-exhaustive look at what your fire service contractor should be doing as part of their routine servicing.

Six-monthly

Every six months your service provider should:

• Check that the hose reel is accessible and sufficient clearance is maintained

• Check the hose reels operating instructions are still readable

• Check the hose reel for damage or corrosion

• Test the swing arm to make sure it allows the hose to unwind properly (at least 5m)

• Test for leaks by pressurizing the hose reel

• Test that water flows through the hose reel

• Check that the service tag is suitably attached

Yearly

Annually your service provider should:

• Carry out all the service items on the six-monthly service

• Check the anchor points of the hose reel

• Check the hose guide and make sure it doesn't jam

• Measure the flow rate of the hose reel and ensure it meets requirements (0.33L/s for 19mm hose)

• Check the hose for wear and other damage

• Check that the hose reel is still appropriate for the hazards it covers

• Check for any building alterations that may affect the operation of the hose reel