Blog
Fire Compliance vs Fire Safety Training: Why You Legally Need Both
By Jaco Coetzer — Altrafire | Updated July 2026 Fire compliance and fire safety training are two separate legal duties in South Africa — one covers your building’s systems, the other covers your people. Fire compliance (SANS 10400-T, serviced equipment, an...
Smoke Ventilation Systems (AOVs) in South Africa: Requirements, Testing & Why Most Fail
By Jaco Coetzer — Altrafire | Updated June 2026 An AOV (automatic opening vent) clears smoke and heat from stairwells and other high-risk areas so people can evacuate safely, required under SANS 10400-T. South Africa has no AOV-specific SANS testing standard — Part...
How Many Fire Wardens or Fire Marshals Does Your Workplace Legally Need in South Africa?
By Jaco Coetzer — Altrafire | Updated June 2026 The OHS Act doesn’t set a fixed number of fire wardens — it requires employers to provide “adequate” trained personnel for fire fighting and evacuation under the General Safety Regulations. In...
Fire Hose Reel & Hydrant Compliance in South Africa: Coverage, Testing & Pitfalls
By Jaco Coetzer — Altrafire | Updated June 2026 Fire hose reels and hydrants in South Africa are governed by SANS 543 (the reel itself), SANS 1128 (hydrant components and couplings), and SANS 10105-2 / SANS 1475-2 for use, control and servicing. The hose must be at...
Fire Door Compliance in South Africa (SANS 1253): The Most Ignored Non-Compliance
By Jaco Coetzer — Altrafire | Updated June 2026 A fire door in South Africa must comply with SANS 1253 as a complete, factory-tested assembly — door, frame, hinges, lock and closer together, not the door leaf alone. SANS 10400-T sets six fire-resistance classes...
SANS 23601 Escape Plans: What Makes a Floor Plan Legally Compliant (and Why Yours Probably Isn’t)
By Jaco Coetzer — Altrafire | Updated June 2026 A SANS 23601 escape plan must show the exact “you are here” location, use the standard’s mandated colours (safety green arrows, light-green escape routes, a blue location marker), include an overview...
WHY FIRE INSURANCE CLAIMS GET REJECTED IN SOUTH AFRICA
By Jaco Coetzer — Altrafire | Updated June 2026 In South Africa, fire insurance claims are most often rejected or reduced because of lapsed equipment servicing, missing Certificates of Compliance, or a building that doesn’t meet SANS 10400-T — not because of...
GAS SUPPRESSION FOR SERVER ROOMS & DATA CENTRES (SANS 14520)
By Jaco Coetzer — Altrafire | Updated June 2026 A gas suppression system is a SANS 14520-compliant fire-extinguishing system that floods a server room or data centre with a clean agent or inert gas instead of water or powder, so it protects servers and electronics...
Fire Compliance Costs in South Africa: What Businesses Actually Pay [2026]
By Jaco Coetzer — Altrafire | Updated June 2026 Fire compliance costs in South Africa vary widely by building size and systems installed. An annual extinguisher service runs roughly R120–R250 per unit. A fire compliance audit for a small-to-medium business...
How Often Must Fire Equipment Be Serviced in South Africa?
By Jaco Coetzer — Altrafire | Updated June 2026 All portable fire extinguishers must be serviced annually and overhauled every five years (CO₂ every ten years) under SANS 1475-1. Fire hose reels and above-ground hydrants must be serviced annually under SANS 1475-2....
Fire Compliance Certificate in South Africa: What It Is, Who Needs One & How to Get It
By Jaco Coetzer — Altrafire | Updated June 2026 A fire compliance certificate is documented proof that a building’s fire protection — equipment, detection, escape routes and signage — meets SANS 10400-T, the OHS Act and local fire by-laws. It is issued after...
SANS 10139 Fire Detection Categories Explained (M, L1–L5, P1–P2): Which Does Your Building Need?
By Jaco Coetzer — Altrafire | Updated June 2026 SANS 10139 classifies fire detection and alarm systems into three groups: Category M (manual systems with call points only), Categories L1–L5 (automatic detection designed to protect life) and Categories P1–P2...
Fire Compliance Guide for South African Businesses
Fire compliance is not optional for South African businesses — it’s a legal duty that touches your building, your equipment, your staff and your insurance. Getting it wrong risks lives, attracts municipal penalties, and can void cover when you need it most....
The Complete Guide to Fire Compliance for South African Building Owners
FIRE COMPLIANCE GUIDE · ALTRAFIRE The Complete Guide to Fire Compliance for South African Building Owners Most South African building owners assume they are fire compliant. Most are not — at least not fully. This guide covers every fire protection system governed...
Service And Maintenance Requirements – Gas Fire Suppression
SANS 14520 – Gas Fire suppression SANS 14520 specifies the requirements and give recommendations for the design, installation, testing, maintenance, and safety of gaseous firefighting systems in buildings. Weekly Visually check the hazards and integrity of the...
Service And Maintenance Requirements – Fire Detection System
SANS 10139 – Fire detection systems SANS 10139 provides guidelines for the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems. It also includes information about the roles and responsibilities of various parties involved in the...
