Chapter 22: ARFFS Facilities

Section 22.1: General

22.1.1 Standard: Fire Station Facility

22.1.1.1 Facilities must be established that are appropriate to enable the fire service to respond to airport emergencies.

22.1.1.2 The siting of a fire station facility must take into consideration the requirement of achieving response times as defined in Section 6.1, of this Manual.

22.1.1.3 New or modified fire stations at Level 1 must provide an FSCC where all landings and take-offs of air transport aircraft are observed so as not to delay response times.

22.1.2 FSCC Requirements

22.1.2.1 An aerodrome’s ARFFS FSCC must provide clear vision of the aerodrome’s runway and “short final” approaches by:

(a) direct out-of-the-window observations (which may require appropriate elevation of the FSCC or part of it); or

(b) subject to paragraph 22.1.2.1A, using a visual surveillance system terminating at the FSCC, which provides indirect observations of the runway and approaches, if the indirect observations do not have the effect of delaying the response time of the ARFFS to an emergency when compared to the response time after making direct out‑of‑the‑window observations.

22.1.2.1A For subparagraph 22.1.2.1 (b), a visual surveillance system must not be installed at an aerodrome unless the ARFFS provider for the aerodrome has obtained CASA’s written approval for the installation.

Note: If CASA gives its approval for the installation of the system at the aerodrome, the ARFFS provider is also required to obtain CASA’s approval for the system, under regulation 139.810 of CASR, before beginning to use the system for the purpose of the ARFFS.

22.1.2.2 Crash Alarm and Direct Lines facilities must be provided where a TWR is located on the same aerodrome. Two-way activation of facilities is required.

22.1.2.3 Subject to paragraph 22.1.2.3A, an aerodrome fire alarm must terminate at the aerodrome’s ARFFS FSCC.

22.1.2.3A An aerodrome fire alarm may terminate at premises other than at the aerodrome’s ARFFS FSCC if, for the premises:

(a) a fire alarm monitoring provider constantly monitors the alarm in accordance with Part 3, Fire alarm monitoring of Australian Standard AS 1670.3:2024, titled Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems — System design, installation and commissioning, as existing from time to time; and

(b) there is a current written agreement between the ARFFS provider for the aerodrome and the fire alarm monitoring provider, under which, if the alarm is activated, the fire alarm monitoring provider is required to immediately notify the ARFFS provider of the activation; and

(c) the time taken for the ARFFS to respond to the activation is not significantly more than the time it would otherwise take had the alarm terminated at the FSCC.

22.1.2.4 Transfer facilities to be provided to either the TWR or Local Fire Brigade.

22.1.2.5 Communication facilities for notification of emergency services.

22.1.2.6 Alerting P/A system for fire staff personnel located at the fire station and its environs.

22.1.2.7 All aircraft landings and take-off of air transport must be observed by the FSCC operator or designated officer.

22.1.2.8 Aerodromes meeting Level 2 category requirements may provide an FSCC.

22.1.3 Access Roads to Movement Areas

22.1.3.1 Access roads to movement areas will be constructed to enhance operational responses.

22.1.4 Communication Equipment

22.1.4.1 All ARFFS vehicles must be provided with suitable communication equipment.

22.1.4.2 Communication equipment frequencies must be compatible with associated Air Traffic Services and Marine Frequencies (where appropriate).

22.1.4.3 Communication equipment within the fire station and work areas must be provided and be linked with the FSCC alerting system. The FSCC must have facilities to monitor operational, emergency and UHF radio frequencies as nominated by the ARFFS provider and approved by CASA.

22.1.5 Vehicle Maintenance Facilities

22.1.5.1 An ARFFS provider must have in place a process which will ensure that maintenance facilities or an appropriate maintenance provider will service and repair equipment, vehicle and radios to manufacturers specifications.

22.1.5.2 After fire service use, areas for vehicles which would include a vehicle wash down area, replenishment area, hose cleaning and drying area must be provided.

22.1.6 Training Facilities

22.1.6.1 The following training facilities must be available for use at an aerodrome where an ARFFS is provided:

(a) a training ground that can support fire vehicles;

(b) suitable facilities that allow hot fires, and the tactical positioning and application of fire extinguishing agents;

(c) a raised platform, for ladder and branch work, which is suitable for the use of breathing apparatus;

(d) a suitable lesson room for theoretical training;

(e) a breathing apparatus training facility.

22.1.6.1A An ARFFS training facility mentioned in paragraph 22.1.6.1 may be located other than at an aerodrome where the ARFFS is provided if CASA has given the ARFFS provider for the aerodrome prior written approval for the location of the facility.

22.1.6.2 Storage facilities must be provided for the safe storage of reserve stocks of fire fighting agent.

22.1.7 Inshore Rescue Boats

22.1.7.1 If provided at an aerodrome:

(a) inshore rescue boats must be housed, berthed, stored, or otherwise located, in accordance with paragraph 22.1.7.1A; and

(b) wetsuits (and drysuits, if applicable), personal flotation devices, and associated equipment, must have appropriate stowage facilities and drying areas.

22.1.7.1A For subparagraph 22.1.7.1 (a), the ARFFS provider for the aerodrome must ensure each boat is housed, berthed, stored, or otherwise located, in a way that:

(a) allows rapid operational deployment of the boat in an emergency; and

(b) subject to subparagraph (a), complies with the boat manufacturer’s operating, and maintenance, requirements for the boat.

22.1.7.2 Flotation platforms/life rafts for 50% of passengers on the largest aircraft using the aerodrome must be provided.