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Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS)

FPAS is now mandatory in NSW

 

The Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) was formally approved by the Secretary of the Department of Customer Service under section 59 of the Building and Development Certifiers Act 2018. 

 

This means that if you: 

 

  • endorse plans and specifications for designs, and do not hold C8 or C14 registration with the Department, you must be Fire Systems Design (FSD) accredited; or

 

  • endorse fire safety measures on annual or supplementary fire safety statements, you must be Fire Safety Assessment (FSA) accredited. 

 

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OVERVIEW OF THE SCHEME

 

The Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS), launched in July 2013, is the only nationally harmonised accreditation system designed to recognise the skills and competencies of individuals working in the fire protection industry across all state and territory jurisdictions in Australia. 

 

The FPAS Scheme incorporates existing and essential components of the Australian Government training agenda on competency-based training and assessment. 

 

While mostly voluntary, FPAS has been recognised for fire systems design and fire safety assessment by the NSW Government, under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000, the Building and Development Certifiers Act 2018, and the Building and Development Certifiers Regulation 2020.  

 

You are not required to be accredited under FPAS to work in the fire protection industry, except for designers or assessors in NSW, nor do you have to be a member of FPA Australia to be part of the scheme. 

 

The Association has introduced FPAS for the benefit and sustainability of the fire protection industry and has committed to ensuring that all appropriately qualified practitioners are eligible for accreditation. 

 

 

Available Classes of FPAS Accreditation

 

FPAS currently covers the followng areas of work: 

  

 

We are currently working on other classes of accreditation, which will be introduced over time. 

 

These will include: 

 

  • Installation and Commissioning;
  • Maintenance; and
  • Emergency Planning and Training (EPT). 

 

The FPAS classes are financed through a fee-based system on the application, attainment, and renewal of accreditation. 

 

Accreditation is delivered to individuals, not companies, although our 2020 Vision seeks to have companies become Recognised Businesses by getting all of their technicians accredited for Inspect and Test (routine service). 

 

FPAS is a key part of ongoing efforts by the fire protection industry to:  

 

  • increase professionalism;
  • deliver quality services by engaging a technically competent workforce; and
  • improving fire safety outcomes for the community. 

 

 

Individual Accreditation

 

Individuals accredited under the Scheme must demonstrate competency to provide the services for which they are accredited via an objective, formal assessment process. 

 

Where launched, there are three (3) accreditation pathways for individuals: 

 

1.    Qualified Accreditation

2.    Transitional Accreditation

3.    Trainee Accreditation

 

Accredited individuals who have gained Transitional or Trainee Accreditation are required to transition to Qualified Accreditation within a specified period. 

 

This transition period allows the individual to complete the required units of competency needed to successfully gain Qualified Accreditation under the Scheme. 

 

See the FACT Sheets or NSW Reforms for further information on obtaining Qualified, Transitional or Trainee Accreditation.