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“ON THE JOB”
ADVERTORIAL
been designed specifically to meet the requirements of
industry and the NCC. Snap Collars are independently tested
to the highest standards and all test reports are made
available to the public. This transparency is essential in
avoiding risk, however, not all manufacturers are as quick to
share their results.
In addition to questionable opinions, some laboratories
and manufacturers are issuing misleading documentation
in the guise of “Assessments”, “Test Certificates” and
“Regulatory Information Reports” that are clearly in conflict
with the parameters of the relevant Australian standards.
The only way to ensure that the products you are installing
are fully compliant is to receive and record full unabridged
fire test reports.
Some manufacturers cite confidentiality over test reports
– what is there to hide? In practice, installers should
consider the policy of No full fire test report – No purchase.
Installing a non-complying collar exposes all stakeholders to
unnecessary risk.
Transparency is the key and stakeholders should be
provided with unquestionable original documentation to
prove compliance and as a guarantee that they have not
been short changed as a result of the installation of sub-
standard products.
Snap fire collars are guaranteed to meet the Deemed-to-
Satisfy compliance provisions of the NCC and provide full
unabridged test results on their website.
W
hen faced with the issue of suitable fire protection
within a home or building, there is no room for
shortcuts. There are a significant number of
important issues highlighting the risk to installers and
builders in relation to passive fire protection:
∫ The recent high rise fires in Melbourne and Sydney
were a catalyst to the Senate Enquiry in relation to the
installation of defective building products;
∫ A recent defect survey by the Victoria Building Authority
highlighted serious problems in relation to passive fire
protection;
∫ Building owners and body corporates are commissioning
audits prior to the expiration of the mandatory warranty
periods and are uncovering widespread defective work
with claims then being made against plumbers, installers
and builders; and
∫ The adoption of the building maintenance standard AS
1851 is increasing the focus on all fire systems, again
uncovering expensive defects.
While the majority of defects are unintentional, all of this
has resulted in millions of dollars’ worth of damage that
plumbers, installers and builders are being called on to
pay for. All of this combined clearly highlights the need for
industry education and awareness.
REDUCING YOUR RISK – TRANSPARENCY IS THE KEY
Compliance needs to become a key business priority and
is the most effective way to avoid risk.
The NCC sets out multiple pathways to provide ‘Evidence
of Suitability’ to demonstrate whether building elements
or components are fit for purpose. The most effective of
these is the Deemed-to-Satisfy pathway. In the case of fire
collars, they are tested in simulated installation systems to
prove they achieve the stated fire rating level (FRL). Provided
fire collars are installed in a manner identical to their tested
configuration, they can be certified accordingly.
While sometimes unavoidable, using an Alternative
Solution, assessments, or a formal opinion as a pathway
to compliance can significantly increase the risk of non-
compliance as this pathway is just that – an opinion.
Unfortunately, the structure of the NCC allows for the use
of Alternative Solutions, assessments and formal opinions
in circumstances where products have failed the Deemed-
to-Satisfy pathway – why risk using any product where a
Deemed-to-Satisfy solution exists?
Snap Fire Systems (Snap) recognise the risk plumbers,
installers and builders take and as a result only release
products that exceed all Australian standards and building
codes. The company produces a risk free product that has
Snap Fire Collars
www.snapcollars.com.auTHE BUCK STOPS WITH YOU
All Test Reports for SNAP Fire Systems’ patented spring
system Fire Collars are available in their entirety online.