Car Park Fan Control via the Fire Indicator Panel (FIP)

Car park ventilation fans are normally controlled by carbon monoxide (CO) monitoring systems to manage air quality during day-to-day operation. However, when interfaced with the Fire Indicator Panel (FIP), the control strategy must change to prioritise life safety and smoke management.

Technical and Essential Services maintenance and Repairs including Car Park Venatalation system and Carbon Monoxide sensor calibration every six months

Normal Mode (Non-Fire Operation)

Normal Mode (Non-Fire Operation)

  • Fans operate automatically based on CO sensor readings.
  • Variable speed or staged control reduces energy use.
  • Operation is independent of the fire system.
  • Designed to meet indoor air quality and energy efficiency requirements.

Fire Mode (FIP Override)

When the FIP enters alarm condition:

  • CO control is overridden.
  • Car park exhaust fans are forced to operate in fire mode.
  • Fans typically run at full speed (or predefined fire duty).
  • Operation continues regardless of CO levels.
  • Control relays are driven directly or indirectly by the FIP.

This ensures:

  • Fire brigade smoke management strategies are supported.
  • Smoke is exhausted from the car park.
  • Evacuation paths remain as clear as possible

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Car Park Boom Gate Entry level from the street in Melbourne CBD

Typical Control Architecture

1. Fire Alarm Interface

  • The FIP provides volt-free contacts (fire mode signal).
  • These contacts interface with:
    • Fan control panels
    • BMS (if integrated)
    • VSDs via fire input terminals

2. Fail-Safe Design

  • Loss of fire signal wiring defaults fans to run or fail safe, depending on design.
  • Fire mode always has priority over:
    • CO sensors
    • BMS logic
    • Time schedules

3. Manual Overrides

  • Local isolators must not defeat fire mode operation.
  • Fire brigade override switches (where required)

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Car Park Fan Control via the Fire Indicator Panel (FIP) - Sydney Car park basement in Commercial proiperty building serving the financial district of Sydney

Compliance & Risk Considerations

Fans required for smoke management must not be disabled by energy-saving logic.

  • Incorrect sequencing between CO systems, BMS, and FIP is a common non-compliance.
  • AS 1851 maintenance now increases scrutiny on:
    • Fire mode operation
    • Signal integrity
    • Interface testing and documentation

Poorly integrated systems can:

  • Leave owners exposed to compliance risk
  • Pass CO tests but fail fire mode
  • Create conflicting commands

integration of legacy systems, including fire indication panels via low-level or high-level interface in Sydney and Melbourne Commercial Property buildings

Why Integration Matters (Especially in Existing Buildings)

In many existing car parks:

  • CO systems, fan controls, and fire panels were installed years apart
  • Documentation is incomplete or inconsistent
  • Fire mode intent has been lost through upgrades

Correct FIP integration:

  • Provides confidence to certifiers and insurers
  • Restores compliant fire mode behaviour
  • Avoids unnecessary fan replacements
  • Reduces risk during AFSS sign-off

Car parks in Sydney & Melbourne are under increasing scrutiny.

Between Fire & Rescue NSW inspections, AFSS sign-off pressure, and stricter enforcement of AS 1851 testing, non-compliant fan/FIP interfaces are now a real liability, not a theoretical one.

If your car park fans:

  • Rely solely on CO control
  • Have unclear or undocumented FIP override
  • Haven’t been end-to-end tested from the FIP
  • Were modified during past BMS or controls upgrades

You may already be exposed to AFSS delays, Fire Orders, or insurance complications.

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