AS 1603.

16—2002
Reconfirmed 2016
AS 1603.16

Australian Standard™

Automatic fire detection and alarm

systems

Part 16: In situ testers

Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)
 This Australian Standard was prepared by Committee FP-002, Fire Detection,
Warning, Control and Intercom Systems. It was approved on behalf of the Council
of Standards Australia on 29 April 2002 and published on 30 May 2002.

The following are represented on Committee FP-002:

Audio Engineering Society
Australasian Fire Authorities Council
Australian Building Codes Board
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Association
Australian Industry Group
Australian Institute of Building Surveyors
Deafness Forum of Australia
Department of Defence
Fire Protection Association Australia
Institute of Security Executives
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

National Electrical and Communications Association

Property Council of Australia
Scientific Services Laboratory—A Business Unit of AGAL

Keeping Standards up-to-date

Standards are living documents which reflect progress in science, technology and
systems. To maintain their currency, all Standards are periodically reviewed, and
new editions are published. Between editions, amendments may be issued.
Standards may also be withdrawn. It is important that readers assure themselves
they are using a current Standard, which should include any amendments which
may have been published since the Standard was purchased.
Detailed information about Standards can be found by visiting the Standards
Australia web site at www.standards.com.au and looking up the relevant Standard
in the on-line catalogue.
Alternatively, the printed Catalogue provides information current at 1 January each
year, and the monthly magazine, The Australian Standard, has a full listing of
revisions and amendments published each month.
We also welcome suggestions for improvement in our Standards, and especially
encourage readers to notify us immediately of any apparent inaccuracies or
ambiguities. Contact us via email at mail@standards.com.au, or write to the Chief
Executive, Standards Australia International Ltd, GPO Box 5420, Sydney, NSW
2001.

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 01345.

 AS 1603.16—2002 (Reconfirmed) 2016-07-08

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

RECONFIRMATION
OF
AS 1603.16—2002
Automatic fire detection and alarm systems
Part 16: In situ testers

RECONFIRMATION NOTICE

Technical Committee FP-002 has reviewed the content of this publication and in
accordance with Standards Australia procedures for reconfirmation, it has been
determined that the publication is still valid and does not require change.

Certain documents referenced in the publication may have been amended since the
original date of publication. Users are advised to ensure that they are using the latest
versions of such documents as appropriate, unless advised otherwise in this
Reconfirmation Notice.
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

Approved for reconfirmation in accordance with Standards Australia procedures for

reconfirmation on 16 June 2016.

The following are represented on Technical Committee FP-002:

Association of Hydraulic Services Consultants Australia
Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council
Australian Building Codes Board
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Australian Industry Group
Australian Institute of Building Surveyors
CSIRO
Deafness Forum of Australia
Department of Human Services (VIC)
Engineers Australia
Fire Protection Association Australia
National Electrical and Communications Association
National Fire Industry Association
Property Council of Australia
Society of Fire Safety
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

NOTES
 AS 1603.16—2002

Australian Standard™

Automatic fire detection and alarm

systems
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

Part 16: In situ testers

First published as AS 1603.16—2002.

COPYRIGHT
© Standards Australia International
All rights are reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without the written permission of the
publisher.
Published by Standards Australia International Ltd
GPO Box 5420, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia
ISBN 0 7337 4517 2
 AS 1603.16—2002 2

PREFACE
This Standard was prepared by the Standards Australia Committee FP-002, Fire Detection,
Warning, Control and Intercom Systems.
The objective of this Standard is to provide requirements for in situ testers, which will
allow the testing of fire detectors without adversely affecting the operation of the detector
under test.
It is recommended that a period of 12 months, from the publication of this Standard, be
allowed for manufacturers to comply with this Standard.
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)
 3 AS 1603.16—2002

CONTENTS

Page

SECTION 1 SCOPE AND GENERAL

1.1 SCOPE......................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 APPLICATION ........................................................................................................... 4
1.3 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS................................................................................... 4
1.4 DEFINITIONS............................................................................................................. 4
1.5 INTERPRETATION OF SPECIFIED LIMITING VALUES....................................... 4
1.6 CLASSIFICATION ..................................................................................................... 4

SECTION 2 FUNCTIONS
2.1 GENERAL................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 TEST MEDIA.............................................................................................................. 5

SECTION 3 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

3.1 GENERAL................................................................................................................... 6
3.2 MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS .......................................................................... 6
3.3 ELECTRICAL SAFETY ............................................................................................. 6
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

SECTION 4 PRODUCT INFORMATION AND MARKING

4.1 MARKING .................................................................................................................. 7
4.2 POINT OF SALE INFORMATION............................................................................. 7

SECTION 5 ASSESSMENT OF COMPLIANCE

5.1 CRITERIA OF ACCEPTANCE .................................................................................. 8
5.2 CRITERIA OF ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF THE TEST MEDIA ON
DETECTORS .............................................................................................................. 8
5.3 CRITERIA FOR ESTABLISHING DISCRIMINATION ............................................ 8
5.4 REPORTING ............................................................................................................... 8
 AS 1603.16—2002 4

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Australian Standard
Automatic fire detection and alarm systems

Part 16: In situ testers

S EC TION 1 S C OP E AND G E NER A L

1.1 SCOPE
This Standard specifies the requirements for the design, construction and performance of
in situ testers for point type fire detectors.

1.2 APPLICATION
This Standard applies to in situ testers intended to verify the alarm operation of installed
point type fire detectors.
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

1.3 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS

The following documents are referred to in this Standard.
AS
1851 Maintenance of fire protection equipment
1851.8 Part 8: Automatic fire detection and alarm systems
2484 Fire—Glossary of terms
2484.2 Part 2: Fire protection and firefighting equipment
2706 Numerical values—Rounding and interpretation of limiting valves
AS/NZS
3100 Approval and test specification—General requirements for electrical equipment
4417 Marking of electrical products to indicate compliance with regulations
4417.2 Part 2: Specific requirements for electrical safety regulatory applications

1.4 DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this Standard, the definitions given in AS 2484.2 apply.

1.5 INTERPRETATION OF SPECIFIED LIMITING VALUES

For the purpose of assessing compliance with this Standard, the specified limiting values
herein shall be interpreted in accordance with the ‘rounding method’ described in AS 2706,
that is, the observed or calculated value shall be rounded to the same number figures as in
the specified limiting value and then compared with the specified limiting value. For
example, for specified limiting values of 2.5, 2.50 and 2.500, the observed or calculated
value would be rounded respectively to the nearest 0.1, 0.01 and 0.001.

1.6 CLASSIFICATION
The in situ tester shall be classified according to the test medium specified in Clause 2.2.

 Standards Australia www.standards.com.au

 5 AS 1603.16—2002

S EC TION 2 FUNC T IO NS

2.1 GENERAL
The in situ tester shall comply with the following requirements:
(a) The test medium shall replicate the medium to which the detector under test is
designed to respond.
(b) The means used shall not cause the detector under test to be adversely affected.
(c) Sufficient discrimination shall be incorporated to enable the identification of
defective detectors.

2.2 TEST MEDIA

The test medium employed shall be as follows:
(a) Heat detectors A source of heated air is the preferred medium. The temperature of
the air shall be controlled to produce a predictable rate of increase. The upper
temperature shall be limited to a value appropriate to the detector being tested.
NOTE: The use of radiant heat is not recommended. Care should be taken in the use of
radiant heat as the effect on the detector can vary significantly with the collection area the
detector presents to the tester.
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

(b) Smoke detectors A source of particulate material that does not contaminate the
sensing chamber or entry screen of the detector and which contains particles in the
size range appropriate to the detector. The emitted medium shall be controlled so as
to produce a predictable concentration.
(c) Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors A source of gas that does not adversely affect the
sensing element, or entry screen, of the detector and which contains gas appropriate
to the detector. The emitted medium shall be controlled so as to produce a predictable
concentration.

www.standards.com.au  Standards Australia

 AS 1603.16—2002 6

S EC TION 3 DES IG N AND C O NS TR UC TIO N

3.1 GENERAL
The material, form and arrangement of components shall be such that it will be easy to use
and maintain the tester in a reliable condition.

3.2 MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

3.2.1 Resistance to corrosion
Components shall be either inherently resistant to corrosion or plated, or otherwise treated
to afford adequate protection against corrosion.
3.2.2 Resistance to high temperatures
Materials and components shall not be adversely affected at temperatures less than 10K
above the maximum operating temperature specified by the manufacturer, for the highest
temperature rated detector to be tested.

3.3 ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Where the maximum working voltage exceeds extra-low voltage (ELV), the tester shall be
provided with a certificate of suitability by an appropriate electrical regulatory authority, as
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

defined in AS/NZS 4417.2.

Electrically energized testers shall comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 3100.

 Standards Australia www.standards.com.au

 7 AS 1603.16—2002

S EC TION 4 P R ODUC T INF O R M AT IO N AN D

M A R K ING

4.1 MARKING
Testers shall be legibly and indelibly marked with the following:
(a) A unique identifying name, or trademark.
(b) Model and serial numbers.
(c) Date of manufacture.
(d) Maximum and minimum working voltages.
(e) Operating temperature range(s).
(f) Life expectancy of the test medium (as appropriate).
(g) Classification of tester.
(h) Safety caution and handling.
NOTE: Manufacturers making a statement of compliance with this Australian Standard on a
product, packaging or promotional material related to that product are advised to ensure that such
compliance is capable of being verified.
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

4.2 POINT OF SALE INFORMATION

The information provided with the tester shall include the following:
(a) Maximum and minimum working voltages.
(b) Operating temperature range(s).
(c) Compatible detector types.
(d) Medium used, and information of the supplier(s) of that medium (where appropriate).
(e) Comprehensive operators instructions. The instructions shall include guidance in the
operation, maintenance and calibration of the tester.
(f) Safety caution and handling.
(g) List of consumable items, where applicable.
(h) Recommended calibration method and calibration intervals.

www.standards.com.au  Standards Australia

 AS 1603.16—2002 8

S E C T ION 5 AS S E S S M E NT O F C OM P L IANC E

5.1 CRITERIA OF ACCEPTANCE

The tester shall be assessed in accordance with the criteria of Section 3. The marking and
product information shall be in accordance with Section 4.
The following information, and any other, required by the testing organization, shall be
provided by the manufacturer, or agent as part of the submission compliance assessment:
(a) A description of the principle of operation of the tester.
(b) Details of the manufacturer.
(c) Sufficient technical information to enable the device to be assessed.

5.2 CRITERIA OF ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF THE TEST MEDIA ON

DETECTORS
The tester shall be used, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions on a selection
of not less than 5 detectors of known sensitivity, of each type proposed. The test shall be
undertaken 10 times for each sample detector. Detectors shall be allowed to normalize after
each test. There shall be no significant change in the response times of the sample detectors
after the tests. The detector calibration shall be determined before and after the tests by a
method nominated by the manufacturer or by the test method defined in the appropriate
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

detector product Standard.

NOTE: The use of the tester in accordance with AS 1851.8 would mean that a heat detector would
be tested not less than 6 times over 25 years and a smoke and CO detector not less than 13 times
in the same period.

5.3 CRITERIA FOR ESTABLISHING DISCRIMINATION

The tester shall be assessed using detectors covering a range of sensitivities including,
where possible, some detectors with response thresholds outside the range permitted by the
product Standard. The measured values, when tested with the tester, shall be such that there
is sufficient correlation between the known values and the measured values to enable the
determination of nominal acceptance limits for each detector. This assessment may be
undertaken in conjunction with the tests in Clause 5.2.
NOTE: Testers should be more than GO/NO GO test devices but should not be considered to be
definitive. If doubt exists as to the test results obtained in service, the detector calibration should
be confirmed by a method nominated by the manufacturer or by the test method defined in the
appropriate product Standard.

5.4 REPORTING
The test report shall include the following:
(a) Name and address of the testing organization.
(b) Number and publication date of this Standard and any amendments.
(c) Date of assessment.
(d) Name of manufacturer or agent.
(e) Trade name, model number and revision level.
(f) Description and photograph(s).
(g) A list of all information supplied to meet the requirements of Clause 5.1.
(h) Results of the tests including nominal acceptance limits for each detector nominated.
(i) A statement as to whether or not the tester met the requirements of this Standard.

 Standards Australia www.standards.com.au

Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

NOTES
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

NOTES
 Standards Australia
Standards Australia is an independent company, limited by guarantee, which prepares and publishes
most of the voluntary technical and commercial standards used in Australia. These standards are
developed through an open process of consultation and consensus, in which all interested parties are
invited to participate. Through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commonwealth government,
Standards Australia is recognized as Australia’s peak national standards body.
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

Australian Standards
Australian Standards are prepared by committees of experts from industry, governments, consumers
and other relevant sectors. The requirements or recommendations contained in published Standards are
a consensus of the views of representative interests and also take account of comments received from
other sources. They reflect the latest scientific and industry experience. Australian Standards are kept
under continuous review after publication and are updated regularly to take account of changing
technology.

International Involvement
Standards Australia is responsible for ensuring that the Australian viewpoint is considered in the
formulation of international Standards and that the latest international experience is incorporated in
national Standards. This role is vital in assisting local industry to compete in international markets.
Standards Australia represents Australia at both ISO (The International Organization
for Standardization) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Electronic Standards
All Australian Standards are available in electronic editions, either downloaded individually from our Web
site, or via on-line and CD ROM subscription services. For more information phone 1300 65 46 46 or
visit us at

www.standards.com.au
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

GPO Box 5420 Sydney NSW 2001

Administration Phone (02) 8206 6000 Fax (02) 8206 6001 Email mail@standards.com.au
Customer Service Phone 1300 65 46 46 Fax 1300 65 49 49 Email sales@standards.com.au
Internet www.standards.com.au

ISBN 0 7337 4517 2 Printed in Australia

Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

This page has been left intentionally blank.