GL-02
Community Safety Directorate
GUIDELINE: Communication Pillars in Major Buildings
Guideline No: GL-02
Prepared By: MFESB Community Safety Advisory Group
Authorised By: Director Fire Safety
First Issued: 14 February 2002
Version No: 3 (9 June 2009)
Reviewed: September 2011
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Communication Pillars in Major Buildings - GL 02 (47kb)
1. Purpose
2. General Information
3. Recommendations for Communication Pillars
4. MFB Specifications
1. Purpose
This guideline has been developed to provide designers and installers with a detailed specification for communication pillars, which are used by attending fire service personnel to establish a communications and services link between a building and the MFB’s Mobile Control Unit (Incident Controller).
2. General Information
Section E1.8 of the Building Code of Australia requires a fire control centre facility in:-
a) all buildings with an effective height of more than 25m, and;
b) Class 6, 7, 8 or 9 building with a total floor area more than 18,000 m2.
Specification E1.8 describes the construction and contents required for fire control centres and rooms.
Fire service personnel generally use the facilities of the fire control centre at any attendance, eg. minor fires, alarms etc.
In a large fire situation, the fire control centre becomes a critical component of the MFB’s Incident Control System, by keeping the Incident Controller informed of the status of all required safety equipment in the building.
In a fire or emergency situation, in large buildings with significant numbers of people, fire ground command and control is coordinated through the MFB’s Mobile Control Unit. This unit is also the point where other emergency services and support agencies liaise to ensure all activities as a result of the emergency are coordinated. The control of fires or emergencies relies heavily on effective communication linking all key functional activities. Radio channels can quickly become clogged, or become inoperative in certain structures. Hard wired links provide very effective and reliable communications.
Whilst the fire control centre is a vital component of the incident management system, the MFB Control Unit controls and co-ordinates all fire service operations.
To meet the reasonable expectations of any person who is authorised by law to enter the building for the purpose of activities related to an emergency, such as rescue and firefighting, (Building Code of Australia principles) a communications pillar outside the building, located for easy access by the MFB Control Unit, will provide a reliable communication link.
3. Recommendations for Communication Pillars
In the case of large buildings (as per BCA Clause E1.8), and buildings > 25m in height, communication pillars would require as a minimum:-
a) Hard wired communication link to the Fire Control Centre.
b) 240V power outlet.
c) Connection into the building’s Emergency Telephone System (E.T.S), (where provided)
d) Located in a position(s) approved by the MFB.
e) Fittings to MFB specifications (refer to section 4 below).
f) CCTV jacking points.
4. MFB Specifications
Equipment in Fire Control Area:
Standard analogue telephone handset (Australian Communications Authority [ACA] approved), connected to a RJII socket or a 610 socket.
BUILDING REQUIREMENTS:
The wiring between the Fire Control Centre and the communications pillar to be 2 pair of Telstra
Cables, 2 pair 0.75, wired direct from the Fire Control Room to the communications pillar. The connection at the pillar to be an RJII or 610 socket.
The 240 Volt A.C supply to the communications pillar to be a 15 amp circuit.
The communications pillar to be a standard “Telstra Pillar” keyed to the MFB approved locking device with the required isolation between 240C A.C power and telecommunications as detailed by the ACA.
The approved MFB locking device specification is as detailed:
225 Contract Series Padlocks
Serial Number: 225/40/119/003
The communications pillar to be in a position approved by the MFB.
Note: The implementation of this guideline does not require Brigade endorsement, however, any variations are to be negotiated with MFB Structural Fire Safety staff only. This is a controlled document and may only be modified by authorised personnel after review by the MFB Community Safety Advisory Group
THIS DOCUMENT IS UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED