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STANDARDS UPDATES
2025 has seen several standard changes which we show below.
SANS 10400-T – Application of the National building regulations.
SANS 10400 = T:2024 Edition 5.1 was updated late last year and included the following changes. This commentary is for fire detection only. Section 4.31:
• General NOTE removed
• Fire detection table now Table 14
• Table 14 - FD (Fire Detection) changed to AFD (Automatic Fire Detection)
• Table 14 - Note regarding local authority removed
• 4.31.4 – Reference to SANS 246 removed
SANS 322 – Fire detection in Hospitals
SANS 322:2024 Edition 2 was published in November 2024. This update was conducted based on the requirements of British standard HTM05-03 Part B.
SANS 322 is a specific standard for hospitals and healthcare premises E2 an E4 of the building regulations. It is used to supplement SANS10139.
This was a major re-write with many changes, too numerous to detail. The new standard provides deeper explanations of most topics.
The notable changes are:
- Reference to multi state addressable systems have been removed.
- Networked systems are mentioned, and network connections must be made with “enhanced fire-resisting cables: PH120.
- Previously mention of fire detection in certain voids and roof spaces that could be excluded from L1 systems has been removed.
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The need to provide “alert alarms”.
For those who work in or supply services to hospitals and/or healthcare services it is highly recommend you purchase a copy of this latest version of SANS 322.
SANS 10139:2021 – Fire detection for buildings
Our SANS 10139 follows the recommendations in BS 5839-1. The BS standard was updated in the first quarter of this year and provides clearer guidance for designers and installers to follow.
The new layout of BS 5839-1 provides a more descriptive approach allowing better understanding of different topics within the document.
Noticeable changes include:
• Interfaces for fire detection systems should not be installed within the fire panel enclosure.
• In residential care premises or hospitals with facilities for more than 10 people to sleep and would need assistance to evacuate, the system should be addressable.
• For detection in shafts or enclosed chutes positioning of detectors is now determined by the category of system.
• For pitched roofs where the angle on each side of the roof differs the smaller of the angles should be used to determine detector spacing.
• A cause and effects matrix or text description should now be provided to the client in the hand over documentation.
• Concerns of cybersecurity for systems with remote monitoring and control have been added along with recommendations.
• Responsibility held the “responsible person” has been changed to the premises management.
• A formula for calculating false alarm rates has been added to Annexure FSANS are busy appointing a workgroup for comparing the new BS standard and upgrading of the current SANS 10139:2021
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We apologise if our previous newsletter of the same title was confusing. It has been pointed out we were technically incorrect as one will need to use SANS 14520 for all gas installations in electronic environments.
In compiling the last newsletter the editors mind was on fire detection, forgetting the implications of gas suppression. There are vast differences when designing fire detection to SANS 10139 or SANS 246. Gas standards are much the same for all environments.
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- Written by: Keith Norgate
- Category: Standards and Updates
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When presented with a project requiring a gas suppression installation which standard should you reference?
The difference between these two standards is in the title SANS 14520 – Gaseous Fire extinguishing systems and SANS 246 – Fire protection of electronic installations.
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- Written by: Keith Norgate
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2021 brings about a long awaited updates of the SANS 10139 code published earlier this year with many anticipated changes from the 2012 version.
We have compiled a summary of these changes for your convenience and information - clicking on these links will route you to a video clip presentation of the various sections highlighted below:
Read more: SANS 10139:2021 Updates Summary
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- Written by: Keith Norgate
- Category: Standards and Updates
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The long awaited update to the T section of SANS 10400 (Application of the Building Standards Act) has been sent out for public comment.
Working groups will soon be assessing all comments received and bringing the standard to its final acceptance. Publication will follow.