How do the various Fire Standards in South Africa relate to one another?
It may assist us to begin by looking at the bigger picture:
The South African National Standard SANS 10400 (consisting of various parts A to W) is the application of the NBR (National Building Regulations) Act 103 of 1977.
SANS 10400 establishes functional requirements for various construction and occupancy activities around buildings to satisfy the NBR. As we are mostly interested in Fire Detection and Alarm Systems and Gaseous Fire Extinguishing Systems, our focus lies primarily with the following Parts of SANS 10400:
- A (General principles and requirements)
- S (Facilities for persons with disabilities)
- T (Fire protection)
- W (Fire installation)
The primary concern of SANS 10400 is to ensure that a healthy and safe environment is provided for occupants of buildings during the various phases of the building.
There are particular building types and sizes that require Fire Detection and Alarm Systems to be installed - these are required to be designed, installed, commissioned and maintained in accordance with SANS 10139.
When Hospitals are being considered, SANS 322 needs to be used in conjunction with SANS 10139.
For Data Centres and Computer-type environments, SANS 246 will need to be used. When Gas Extinguishing systems are being considered for protection and automatic fire detection will be used to control the activation of the Gas Extinguishing systems, SANS 369 along with the relevant Gas Extinguishing standards (SANS 14520 / SANS 306) need to be used.
Talk to us should you require further information and training on these standards and their application.
Please visit our website https://trainingonfire.co.za for further details.