Key Takeaways
- AS 1670.1 sets out specific requirements for fire detection and alarm systems in Australian buildings, and your site signage must reflect those systems accurately.
- A fire block plan is a mandatory piece of fire safety signage that shows occupants and emergency services the layout of your fire detection system.
- Non-compliant or outdated fire safety signage can result in serious liability for building owners, managers, and site supervisors.
- We produce compliant fire block safety signage for construction and commercial sites across Sydney and Australia-wide, with accuracy and durability built in.
Introduction
Fire safety compliance is one area where there is very little room for error. When a building’s signage does not accurately reflect its fire detection and alarm system layout, the consequences can extend well beyond a failed inspection. For building managers, site supervisors, and anyone responsible for a commercial or construction premises in Australia, understanding the requirements of AS 1670.1 is not optional; it is part of doing the job properly.
This guide covers what AS 1670.1 requires, what a compliant fire block plan needs to include, and what happens when signage does not meet the standard. If you are not sure whether your site is up to code, this is a good place to start.
What Is AS 1670.1 and Why Does It Matter?
AS 1670.1 is the Australian Standard for fire detection, warning, control, and intercom systems in buildings. It covers the installation and commissioning requirements for fire alarm and detection systems, and it sets out how those systems must be communicated to building occupants and emergency services through signage.
The standard applies to a wide range of building types: commercial offices, retail premises, healthcare facilities, industrial sites, multi-residential developments, and construction sites. If your building has a fire detection system, there is a very high likelihood that AS 1670.1 applies to how that system is documented and displayed.
Who Is Responsible for Compliance?
Compliance responsibility typically sits with the building owner or the appointed building manager. On construction sites, the principal contractor generally carries that responsibility during the build phase. Regardless of who holds the obligation, the standard is clear: compliant signage must be in place, it must be accurate, and it must be maintained. If the fire detection system is modified or upgraded, the signage must be updated to match.
What Is a Fire Block Plan and What Must It Show?
A fire block plan is a schematic diagram that shows the layout of a building’s fire detection and alarm zones. It is a core piece of fire block safety signage and must be displayed in a location where it can be easily referenced by building occupants, fire wardens, and emergency services personnel. For example, the sign must show the correct orientation relative to the viewer’s position.
Under AS 1670.1 and related fire safety standards, a compliant fire block plan must include a clear floor plan or building outline, the location and labelling of each fire detection zone, the position of manual call points and alarm panels, the location of suppression systems where applicable, and a legend that explains the symbols used.
Format and Display Requirements
The plan must be printed to a size that allows it to be read clearly. It must be laminated or protected against damage, and it must be mounted at or near the fire indicator panel. The print quality and material need to hold up in the environment where they are displayed, a laminated sign that bubbles, fades, or peels within months is not fit for purpose. We produce fire block plans on materials rated for the conditions they will face, and we make sure every element of the format meets the relevant requirements.
If you need a fire block plan produced or updated to meet current standards, contact us and we will make sure it is done right.
