Essential Safety Measures Survey vs. Audit
Why is the discussion of an audit an issue?
AS1851-2005 uses the term 'Audit' in the foreword of the Standard, and is not used anywhere else within the document. This has caused confusion by building owners, agents, property and facility managers alike...
This article and presentation, will present with definitions and differences, similarities and relationship between a survey and an audit as described in each of the Australian Standards AS1851-2005 and AS4655-2005.
Definition of Maintenance (AS1851-2005)
Australian Standard AS1851-2005 defines maintenance as five discrete functions;
- Maintenance
Inspection, test, preventative maintenance and survey at specific intervals and rectification of defects, which is necessary to ensure continuing reliability of fire protection systems and equipment...
- Inspection
Visual examination of the components of fire protection systems or equipment to establish correct settings, physical condition or fitness for purpose - Test
Confirmation of correct function or performance of a component or system - Preventative Maintenance
Actions including lubrication, cleaning, adjustment and replacement of components at a predetermined frequency, to minimize the incidence of breakdown. - Survey
Visual inspection to identify if fire protection systems or equipment have been altered, damaged or compromised.
Definition of Audit (AS4655-2005)
Australian Standard AS1851-2005 defines an audit as follows;
- Audit
Systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which the audit criteria are fulfilled.
Summary
A Survey (AS1851-2005) forms part of the regular (scheduled) maintenance carried out by a competent person of the fire protection systems and equipment within a building or structure. The survey helps determine if fire protection systems and equipment have been altered, damaged or compromised, using the 'approved design' as the standard of performance to which the survey is conducted...
An Audit (AS4655-2005) on the other hand is a defined methodology carried out by a competent and independent person to 'review' the fire safety measures, and provides the principals and frame work to carry out an audit...
A survey is a type of audit!
Simply put in respect to Australian Standard AS1851-2005, a survey of the fire protection systems and equipment, conducted using a defined methodology carried out in a systematic fashion by a competent person is an audit with the installation standard or 'approved design' as the audit criteria...
More information
This article and presentation has been prepared for you in good faith by Maintenance Essentials, a competent fire protection maintenance contractor located in Melbourne, Australia.
You can telephone Maintenance Essentials on 1300 30 88 22 or visit our web site for more information and resources like this.
