AS 1851
Baseline Data Services
Baseline data is the documented benchmark condition of each fire system at a known point in time. Required by AS 1851 for meaningful maintenance, it establishes what "correct" looks like for your building — so that technicians can identify defects and degradation during routine servicing.
Fire Block Plans Australia / Services
What is baseline data?
Baseline data (sometimes called commissioning data or benchmark data) records the condition and configuration of each fire system component at a known reference point. It includes valve positions, flow rates, device counts, zone configurations and any other parameters that define "normal" for your building's fire systems.
Why do you need it?
AS 1851 requires maintenance technicians to verify that fire systems are operating correctly. Without baseline data, there is no documented reference for what "correct" means — making it impossible to identify drift, degradation or undocumented modifications. Many compliance failures trace back to missing or inadequate baseline data.
What we deliver
Our baseline data service produces a comprehensive document recording: system configuration at the time of survey, component counts and locations, operational parameters (flow rates, pressures where measurable), zone/address allocations, and a clear reference point for future maintenance comparisons.
Common problems we solve
Most existing buildings have never had formal baseline data established. The obligation under AS 1851 is relatively new in practice and many building owners are behind. We help by: establishing baseline data for the first time, recovering lost commissioning records, reconciling documentation against installed conditions, and creating usable reference documents for maintenance teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is baseline data mandatory?
AS 1851 references baseline data as the benchmark against which routine maintenance results should be compared. While the standard doesn't use the word "mandatory", having no baseline data makes it effectively impossible to demonstrate that your systems are being maintained to the standard.
Can you establish baseline data for old buildings?
Yes. We specialise in establishing baseline data for existing buildings that were never formally documented. We physically survey the systems and create a new reference point.
What systems need baseline data?
All fire systems maintained under AS 1851 benefit from baseline data: hydrants, sprinklers, detection and alarm, EWIS, emergency lighting, exit signs, fire doors, and passive fire protection.
How does this relate to block plans?
Block plans show system layout; baseline data documents system condition and configuration. They are complementary — and we often deliver both together for a complete documentation package.