AS 1851 Fire Logbooks in Australia: Service Records and Choosing the Right Book
A fire logbook records the routine service of a building’s fire protection systems. It helps a technician document what was inspected or tested, the results, any defects, and the action taken. The right book also gives the next technician and the building owner a usable service history.
Fire Factory Australia offers system-specific logbooks based on AS 1851—2012, incorporating Amendment 1. This guide explains what the Standard covers, how records work, and which of our books suits each system. Explore the full fire logbook range.
What is AS 1851—2012?
AS 1851—2012, Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment, sets out routine inspection, testing, preventive maintenance, survey and record requirements for the systems within its scope. Section 1 contains general requirements, including routine service records. Sections 2–13 address particular systems. Section 14 covers emergency planning in facilities; the product range described below has no separate Section 14 book.
A logbook supports record keeping; buying or completing one does not, by itself, make a system compliant. The service work, the system’s condition, the applicable design information and the relevant legal requirements all matter. Service tasks and frequencies vary with the system and the applicable schedule. The intervals mentioned in a product description should not be treated as a universal schedule for every asset.
What should a fire service logbook record?
The details depend on the system and service task. Typical records identify the site, system or asset, service date, technician, inspection or test performed, outcome, measurements where required, defects and subsequent actions. For example, a pump record may need starting, suction and discharge pressures; a detection record may need battery and interface test results; and passive fire records may identify the individual doorset or penetration inspected.
Fire Factory’s books provide schedules and spaces suited to their systems. Some have Pass / Fail / N/A fields, dedicated measurements, equipment registers and areas for results, defects, corrective actions and completed repairs. An N/A entry should only be used where an activity genuinely does not apply, with the reason documented when needed.
Which AS 1851 section covers my system?
The appropriate book depends on the installed equipment and the applicable service requirements. Some books contain activities from more than one section. Emergency and exit lighting is outside the scope of AS 1851—2012 and has a separate maintenance logbook.
Fire Factory Australia logbooks by system
Automatic sprinklers — AS 1851—2012 – Section 2
Wet Pipe Sprinkler and Jacking Pump Systems (BWPS-JP). For wet-pipe sprinkler systems and associated jacking pumps. Its records include pressure readings, alarm gong operation, valve and alarm tests, pump cut-in and cut-out pressures, water supply proving and defects. Where another part of the installation requires its own records, such as a main fire pumpset or water storage tank, use the relevant book as well.
Dry-Pipe / Pre-Action, Deluge & Water Spray (BDP-PR-DWS). For these sprinkler system types, with fields for applicable air or nitrogen pressures, compressor and valve tests, alarm operation, foam-related activities and defects. The book’s own cover notes that applicable wet-pipe routine service activities must also be completed and recorded in the wet-pipe book. Choosing this book alone does not remove those activities.
Fire pumpsets and jacking pumps — AS 1851—2012 – Section 3
Sprinkler & Hydrant Pumps (Diesel & Electric) & Jacking Pumps (BSHP-JP). A combined book for diesel and electric fire pumpsets serving sprinkler and/or hydrant systems, together with jacking pumps. It has fields for starting and running, suction and discharge pressures, flow tests, battery, engine or motor readings, cut-in and cut-out pressures, defects and corrective actions.
Diesel Sprinkler & Hydrant Pumps & Jacking Pumps (BDFPNJP). A diesel-focused alternative with diesel engine, battery, starting, pressure, flow and jacking pump records.
Electric Sprinkler & Hydrant Pumps & Jacking Pumps (BEFPNJP). An electric-focused alternative with motor, controller battery, starting, pressure, flow and jacking pump records.
Hydrants, hose reel jacking pumps and water tanks — AS 1851—2012 – Sections 3–5
Fire Hydrant Systems & Jacking Pumps (BFHS-JP). Covers applicable hydrant system records under Section 4, plus associated jacking pump activities from Section 3. Its pages address hydrants, booster assemblies, starting pressures, water supply tests, valves, flow and pressure tests, and defects. Main fire pumpset servicing may also need a separate pumpset book.
Hose Reel & Jacking Pumps (BHR-JP). Records the routine service of jacking pumps associated with hose reel systems, including pump operation, controller checks and cut-in / cut-out pressures. For the fire hose reels themselves, see the combined Routine Service Logbook under Section 9 below.
Water Storage Tanks (BWST). For fire protection water supply tanks under Section 5. Records cover tank water level, indicators, pressure tanks where fitted, float valves, tank condition, liners, alarms, inspection and cleaning activities, and defects.
Detection, warning and intercom — AS 1851—2012 – Section 6
Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (BFAS). Provides dedicated records for fire detection and alarm systems, including applicable smoke and heat alarm activities, batteries, detectors, warning or control interfaces, sound levels, defects and corrective actions.
Emergency Warning & Intercom Systems (BEWS-EIS). For warning and emergency intercom records, including system operation, signals, batteries, interfaces, Warden Intercom Points and defects.
Combined Fire Detection, Alarm, Emergency Warning & Intercom Systems (BFDNWI). Brings the relevant detection, alarm, warning and intercom schedules into one book. The live listing also mentions selected special hazard detection and control activities. Use the dedicated Section 7 book where suppression equipment itself needs routine service records.
Special hazard fire suppression — AS 1851—2012 – Section 7
Special Hazard Fire Suppression Systems (BSHFSS). For applicable gaseous, aerosol and water mist suppression systems and related special hazard equipment. Its schedules and fields address agent containers and charge, detection and release functions, interfaces, nozzles or discharge arrangements where applicable, enclosure-related checks, defects and corrective actions. Use the relevant system schedule; the same test does not apply to every suppression technology.
Portable equipment, hose and fire blankets —AS 1851—2012 – Sections 8–11
Delivery Lay Flat Hose, Fire Hose Reels, Fire Extinguishers & Fire Blankets (BRSL). One book with separate schedules for delivery lay flat hose (Section 8), fire hose reels (Section 9), portable and wheeled fire extinguishers (Section 10), and fire blankets (Section 11). It includes an equipment register for up to 100 items and spaces for the applicable inspections, pressure tests, service information, defects and corrective actions. This is the option for someone seeking a fire extinguisher service logbook or a combined portable equipment and hose reel record.
Passive fire and smoke — AS 1851—2012 – Section 12
Passive Fire (BPFL). Covers applicable inspection records for fire and smoke barriers; fire-resistant walls, floors and ceilings; service penetrations and control joints; structural fire protection; fire-resistant doorsets and smoke doors; shutters; glazing; access panels and hatches; and fire-protected air ducts. It provides asset identification and spaces for results, comments, defects and repairs. An asset register can help organise these records, particularly where a site has many individual passive fire elements.
Mechanical fire and smoke control — AS 1851—2012 – Section 13
Mechanical Services – Fire & Smoke Control Features (BMSL). Covers applicable fire and smoke control features of mechanical services: fans and motors; fire, smoke and air control dampers; automatic smoke and heat vents; curtains; motorised openings and shutters; kitchen exhaust; outdoor air intakes; inverters; pneumatic equipment; motor control and power supplies; exit pressurisation; smoke exhaust and control systems; and smoke reservoirs. The book includes an equipment / plant register, reference document fields, service schedules, and distinct functionality, performance and survey records. It is intended for Section 13 features, rather than all ordinary mechanical plant in a building.
How do AS 1851 requirements apply across Australia?
AS 1851—2012 is an Australian Standard, but a national Standard does not make every building in every state subject to one identical legal rule. The relevant state or territory framework, the building’s approval and fire safety documentation, and the system or measure being maintained determine what applies. A building owner and service provider should confirm the applicable maintenance basis, service schedule and record requirements for that particular site.
The National Construction Code, state or territory building and fire safety rules, and the building’s approved documents can each be relevant. Requirements for paper versus electronic records, record retention and annual reporting should be checked in the jurisdiction concerned. Do not assume that a retention period or paper-logbook rule published for one state applies across Australia.
| Jurisdiction | Documents and requirements to check |
|---|---|
| NSW | Fire Safety Schedule, applicable AS 1851 requirements and current Building Commission NSW guidance. |
| Victoria | Essential safety measures documentation, maintenance schedule and applicable Victorian building requirements. |
| Queensland | Fire safety installation records and the applicable Queensland maintenance and record requirements. |
| Western Australia | Approved building documents and applicable WA building and fire safety requirements. |
| South Australia | Essential safety provisions documentation and applicable SA maintenance requirements. |
| Tasmania | Approved fire safety measures and applicable Tasmanian building and fire safety requirements. |
| ACT | Approved building documents and applicable ACT maintenance requirements. |
| Northern Territory | Approved fire safety measures and applicable NT building and fire safety requirements. |
This table identifies what to check, rather than asserting that the eight jurisdictions use the same legal rules. For example, Building Commission NSW says that, from 13 February 2026, applicable essential fire safety measures in new and existing Class 1b and Class 2–9 buildings must be inspected and tested under AS 1851—2012 or the standard nominated by a relevant Performance Solution. NSW also specifies keeping prescribed AS 1851 records for at least seven years and leaving a hard-copy logbook on site after testing. These are NSW-specific requirements and guidance.
Not every fire safety-related system is within AS 1851. Emergency and exit lighting, for example, needs to be assessed against its own applicable maintenance requirements. Fire Factory offers a separate Emergency and Exit Lighting Maintenance Logbook.
Frequently asked questions
Is a fire logbook the same as an annual fire safety document?
No. A logbook records routine service work and findings. Annual statements, certificates or reports may be required under the relevant state or territory framework. They have a different purpose; their names and requirements vary by jurisdiction.
How often should a fire logbook be updated?
Record work when the applicable routine service activity is performed. AS 1851 intervals differ by system and task: a site may have monthly, three-monthly, six-monthly, yearly and longer interval activities. Use the correct schedule for each asset rather than one frequency for the whole building.
Do I need one logbook for every fire system?
Not necessarily. Some Fire Factory books combine related systems, such as diesel and electric pumps, or four portable equipment and hose categories. Other systems have their own book. Check the building’s installed equipment and the scope printed in each book; several books may be appropriate for one site.
Does the dry-pipe sprinkler book also cover wet-pipe work?
The dry-pipe / pre-action / deluge / water spray proof expressly directs users to complete applicable wet-pipe routine service activities in the relevant wet-pipe logbook. Review both schedules for the installed system.
Does the Hose Reel & Jacking Pumps book record hose reel inspections?
Its supplied pages focus on jacking pump schedules. The combined Delivery Lay Flat Hose, Fire Hose Reels, Fire Extinguishers & Fire Blankets book contains the hose reel equipment service schedules.
Can I use electronic fire logbooks in Australia?
Check the applicable jurisdiction and the site’s requirements before relying on digital-only records. NSW currently requires a physical logbook to be left on site after applicable AS 1851 testing; its government guidance says an electronic register does not replace it. That statement should not be applied automatically to other states and territories.
How long should records be kept?
Follow the applicable law and record requirements for the building. NSW requires prescribed AS 1851 records to be kept for at least seven years and available for inspection. This article does not assign one retention period to all Australian jurisdictions.
Does a logbook guarantee compliance?
No. It gives a structured place to record work. Appropriate servicing, results, defects, follow-up and the building’s applicable requirements determine the actual outcome.
Our Fire Safety Logbooks
Explore the complete range of Fire Safety Logbooks for fire protection routine service, inspection, testing and maintenance records.
- Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
- Emergency Warning & Intercom Systems
- Fire Detection & Alarm Systems and Emergency Warning & Intercom Systems
- Automatic Fire Sprinkler – Wet Pipe & Jacking Pump
- Dry-Pipe / Pre-Action, Deluge & Water Spray
- Special Hazard Fire Suppression Systems
- Fire Pumpset – Sprinkler & Hydrant Pumps & Jacking Pumps
- Diesel Fire Pumpset Logbook
- Electric Fire Pumpset Logbook
- Hose Reel & Jacking Pumps Logbook
- Fire Hydrant Systems & Jacking Pumps Logbook
- Water Storage Tanks Logbook
- Fire Equipment Routine Service Logbooks Delivery Lay Flat Hose, Fire Hose Reels, Fire Extinguishers & Fire Blankets Logbook
- Passive Fire Logbook
- Mechanical Services – Fire & Smoke Control Features Logbook
- Emergency and Exit Lighting Maintenance Logbook