Automatic Fire Alarm Service Providers (AFASP)

Where Fire Alarm Monitoring is a required essential service, the monitoring must comply with Australian Standard AS1670.3 and AS4428.6. These standards cannot be met by conventional security monitoring. Only an Automatic Fire Alarm Service Provider (AFASP) can provide monitoring compliant to these standards.

If your fire system is required to meet AS1670 or [sprinkler standard] then you are required to maintain a connection to the fire brigade via a compliant Automatic Fire Alarm service. This requirement will be listed in the fire safety measures of the certificate of occupation issued by your local council and should be listed on your fire safety schedule. In the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and Victoria, this is provided by a small number of AFASPs. In other states and territories, Automatic Fire Alarm Monitoring is provided directly by the state fire authorities.

Chubb Fire & Security are proud to be one of the few Automatic Fire Alarm Service Providers in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and Victoria. The Code Red Network is an entirely Chubb owned and operated Fire Alarm Monitoring network. Our monitoring control room and staff, dedicated to Fire Alarm Monitoring, are trained to provide 24 hour technical support and assistance to our monitored customers. Our monitoring service is backed by our Australia wide service centres, ensuring you receive prompt, expert service and advice.

My fire alarm is monitored through a security service, so do I need separate fire alarm monitoring?

In order to comply with the requirements of the Australian Standards for Fire Alarm Monitoring you must connect your fire system through a compliant AFASP.
• Security alarms do not always have battery back up times expected of a fire alarm system, and are rarely installed with fire rated cables.
• A fire alarm system should be continuously monitored, and the signal automatically transmitted to the Fire brigade. A fire can occur at any time, and a security system may not be connected at certain times of the day. 
• Signals from compliant Alarm Signalling Equipment on site are sent through to a monitoring station, which then passes the message on to the fire authorities for action. The whole process must take less than 20 seconds to be compliant. A security system cannot meet this requirement.

Chubb always recommend what has been determined as best practice in the industry, and as such, do not recommend the monitoring of fire using security signals, regardless of the compliance requirements of the building.

Read more about State Fire Authorities policies on Automatic Fire Alarm Monitoring and Fire Safety:

• Fire and Rescue NSW 
• Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Victoria
• Country Fire Authority Victoria
• ACT Fire & Rescue