AFAC contributing to international standards on behalf of the sector

As the national council for fire and emergency services in Australia and New Zealand, AFAC is a lead contributor to international and Australia/New Zealand standards.

PHOTO: FRNSW

Developing standards for firefighter personal protective clothing is improving safety for the sector.

CLAIRE BRENTNALL

AFAC

AFAC is represented on more than 55 Australian/New Zealand, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) committees.

These organisations bring our industry together to collaborate over standards for sprinklers in buildings, construction in bushfire-prone areas, personal protective equipment (PPE) or other relevant topics for fire and emergency services.

As a leading advocate for Australasian fire agencies, AFAC plays a key role in the development and revision of fire-related standards, promoting the interests of the broader emergency management sector. Representatives consult with all members when developing or commenting on draft standards, promoting the collective view of AFAC member agencies.

Over the past 18 months, AFAC representatives have been actively engaging with ISO, Standards Australia and the sector, which AFAC Director Standards and Strategy Procurement Russell Shephard AFSM said has required a flexible and agile approach during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“From a personal perspective, running international meetings with delegates across the globe in different time zones was extremely daunting; however, with the challenges came possibilities. I have found with the Firefighters PPE Committee, in particular, the online environment has proven to be a successful tool for international collaboration,” Mr Shephard said.

Below are three major initiatives being driven currently at an ISO level, providing a snapshot of AFAC’s involvement on the international stage. Each of these projects is being managed by ISO/ Technical Committee 94/Sub Committee 14: Firefighters’ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (SC14).

ISO 23616 Cleaning, inspection and repair of firefighters’ personal protective equipment (PPE)

SC14 agreed to develop a standard for the cleaning, inspection and repair of firefighters PPE, ISO 23616.

Historically, fire and rescue services referenced and certified PPE to NFPA Standard 1851 Standard on selection, care and maintenance of protective ensembles for structural fire fighting and proximity fire fighting, but this is not an international standard. Publication of ISO 23616 will see the first international Standard in this space.

The document was initiated in response to growing concerns about contaminated PPE and potential health hazards for firefighters, to provide guidance on the inspection and maintenance of firefighting PPE. Fire and rescue services and manufacturers of PPE worldwide are working together on the project to minimise and manage risks to firefighters.

SC14 Working Group (WG) 1 has held several virtual meetings over the past 12 months, considering more than 800 comments from international members on the draft.

The draft standard was released for a Final Draft International Standard ballot prior to Christmas 2021, which only allowed for editorial comments, not further technical ones. The approved standard should be published in the first quarter of 2022.

This will be one of the most important standards published by ISO SC14 Firefighters PPE Committee, providing guidance on how to deal with the cleaning and maintenance of PPE.

ISO 24588 Personal protective ensembles for use against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) agents. Classification, performance requirements and test methods

This standard was approved as a new work item for a joint WG of SC14 and Sub Committee 13 on CBRN.

A first draft, released following the meeting in Arnhem (June 2019), attracted 161 comments that were reviewed the next November in Melbourne, resulting in agreement to develop a formal committee draft (CD). However, the standard was placed on hold for six months because the COVID-19 pandemic affected many experts’ availability to participate.

Work recommenced in early 2021 with several virtual meetings in February and March considering all comments received and the best way forward. At the time of writing a second CD was being prepared.

ISO 11999 series (includes Parts 1-10) PPE for firefighters—Test methods and requirements for PPE used by firefighters who are at risk of exposure to high levels of heat and/ or flame while fighting fires occurring in structures (Parts 1–10)

ISO 11999 was prepared by SC14 and approved for publication over five years ago. This standard was developed as an ensemble standard, so it has several parts at various stages of publication.

SC14 WG 2 revised Parts 1–6 and 9, and it was directed to consider the need for particulate protection and a harmonised approach to single performance requirements for heat and flame.

Part 10: Respiratory protection is currently awaiting approval as a new work item, and will reference ISO CD 17420-5, the standard for respiratory protective devices for fire services.

For more information, visit www.afac.com.au/auxiliary/ publications/watch.