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Fire Systems Certification

 

Looking for an accredited fire systems Certifier?

 

FPA Australia is currently processing accreditation applications for Fire Systems Certification class of work. Click on the button below to view the register of persons accredited to date. 

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The 'Fire Systems Certification' class of work covers the formal validation and certification stating the installation, the equipment and performance of the installed and commissioned systems comply with respective codes and standards and are in-line with the approved design.

 

The 'Fire Systems Certification' class accredits individuals who perform certification activities relating to selected essential safety measures in the fire protection industry. Initially the Scheme will focus on activities associated with the following essential safety measures:

 

  • Fire Sprinkler Systems
  • Fire Hydrant and Hose Reel Systems  
  • Fire Detection and Alarm Systems

 

These three (3) areas of work form the categories available under the initial phase of'Fire Systems Certification'. In the future additional categories will be included such as but not limited to, 'Exit and emergency lighting' and 'Passive Fire Protection'.

 

This process is the certification of the installed system and is not the post construction maintenance reporting process  whereby a practitioner validates on a yearly basis that the installed system is still capable of performing to the original design/installation requirements.

 

Please Note: Consultation regarding all elements of the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) is ongoing and as such all information contained on this page is subject to change. 

 

The definition covering the scope of activities for 'fire systems certification' work includes:

 

1.   Inspecting and assessing installed systems and equipment for compliance with the approved design whilst having regard to:

 

  • applicable legislation, codes and standards;
  • variations or specific requirements of approval authorities;
  • the system design documentation;
  • commissioning tests and approval documentation;
  • manufacturer's specifications and product compliance documentation.

 

2.   Preparing an inspection report and certificate of compliance for the installed fire systems and equipment, declaring that the system is installed in accordance with the approved design and will operate and perform as per the approved design.

 

The activities for the 'Fire Systems Certification' class include:   

 

  • reviewing and analysing the design and installed/constructed system to ensure it fulfils the fire systems design and performance standards required;
  • verifying that the design solution and products do meet design/installation requirements;
  • verifying that the system products and equipment are constructed and installed in accordance with finalised design documentation and are 'fit for purpose';
  • checking the commissioning procedure and performance results that validate the system performance to required standards; and
  • checking that the documented evidence confirms that the system meets all design and future maintenance criteria so that certification of the system can be issued.  

 

Note: 'Fire Systems Certification' accreditation under FPAS does not absolve the individual or company from satisfying any other relevant legislative or licensing requirements applicable to the certification of fire protection systems.

 

Categories

 

Fire systems certifiers are accredited under the Scheme to carry out work in the 'Fire Systems Certification' class for one (1) or more categories made available under FPAS. 

 

The individual applicant will be evaluated and deemed competent to be accredited in any one of the categories of 'Fire Systems Certification' and can be accredited in more than one (1) category. The initial categories for this class identified for the roll out of Stage 1 are:

 

  Categories - Certification

  

The Pathways

 

The 'Fire Systems Certification' class of accreditation will initially be launched with two (2) individual accreditation pathways for entry into the Scheme:  

 

1.  Transitional (experienced pathway) and

2.  Trainee

 

As no national qualification or course currently exists to provide an individual with the skills, knowledge and competencies suitable for Qualified recognition under FPAS for 'fire systems certification' work, the Transitional accreditation pathway will provide an entry level for an individual into FPAS for the recognition of skills and competencies in three (3) categories of 'fire systems certification' work.

 

In the meantime, FPA Australia is exploring the options for the most practicable future course of action for the development of a national qualification that incorporates the relevant units of competency for a 'fire systems certification' Qualified accreditation.

   

Transitional Accreditation pathway

 

Transitional Accreditation (through experience) refers to an individual who has sufficient relevant work experience in fire systems certification with a minimum of four (4) years working as a 'fire systems certifier' within the last ten (10) years in the category being applied for. 

 

In order to achieve Transitional Accreditation an individual must:

 

  • submit an FPAS Accreditation application form , and
  • attend an FPAS Accreditation Information Session , and
  • successfully complete a written assessment set by the FPAS evaluation team.

 

 The assessment will test an individual's knowledge and skills in the category being applied for, in order to demonstrate a minimum level of competency.

 

The Transitional Accreditation pathway provides transitional accreditation arrangements and allows a four (4) year transition period for individuals to gain the required qualification and units of competency for Qualified Accreditation (when introduced). 

  

Exp Path - Cert

   

Trainee Accreditation pathway


Trainee Accreditation is made available to a trainee working under supervision of an FPAS accredited individual, holding either Qualified or Transitional Accreditation in the same category, while undertaking approved formal qualifications relevant to the category being applied for in the 'Fire Systems Certification' class. 

 

The Trainee pathway provides transitional accreditation arrangements and allows an expected four (4) year transition period for individuals to gain Qualified Accreditation (when introduced).   

 

Train Path - Cert

   

Relevant Experience

 

The relevant experience required for Transitional Accreditation is a minimum of four (4) years work in the fire systems certification class and categories applied for. The applicant's experience needs to have occurred within the last ten (10) years. In considering applications for accreditation the applicant needs to provide details of work history and practical experience relevant to the categories of accreditation being applied for by submitting:

 

  • A copy of a current resume
  • Details of a minimum of seven (7) fire protection systems certification projects per category being applied for, including the specific building types and uses where the applicant has certified the fire protection system.   

 

The projects needs to reflect a diverse range of medium to large size buildings of varying classifications and uses EG aged care, office, residential, hospital, warehouse, assembly, shopping centre.

 

 

FPAS Information Session

 

As part of the accreditation process, an individual is required to attend/view a mandatory information session.

 

The FPAS information session will inform you of the:

 

  • Background to FPAS and the need for accreditation
  • Expectations of the FPAS evaluation team
  • Key fundamentals and principles related to designing fire systems
  • Assessment process and examples of assessment questions. 

  

Fire Systems Certification Assessment

 

The assessment process has been developed to ensure that individuals applying for accreditation in fire systems certification have an adequate minimum knowledge and skill base in the category/s being applied for.

 

The assessment will include: 

 

  • A supervised four (4) hour (maximum) written assessment with a minimum of 150  questions in multiple choice format
  • A selection of questions that cover the knowledge and skills required for accreditation in the fire systems certification class of accreditation.
  • An open-book format in which the applicant may use relevant Australian Standards and other approved documents such as the National Construction Code, Acts and Regulations.

 

The themes covered in the written assessment will include:

 

  1. Jurisdictional Legislation / Codes  / Standards
  2. Practical application and Knowledge
  3. Specific System Design Knowledge of Australian Standards
  4. Certification Practices.

 

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

 

Maintaining skills and knowledge in the workplace through continuing professional development (CPD) programs is considered essential for practitioners and professionals in many fields. CPD activities in the fire protection industry enable an individual to update and maintain technical competence and effectiveness in the workplace. 

 

CPD activities can include:

 

  • formal education and training
  • short courses
  • attendance at workshops, seminars and discussion groups and conferences
  • technical meetings
  • learning activities in the workplace
  • private study of journals, texts etc, and 
  • preparation and presentation of materials for courses, conferences and seminars.

 

Under the Scheme, CPD commitment by an individual will be a requirement of accreditation and renewal, to ensure that an individual is up-to-date with current work practices in the fire protection industry and in their accredited 'fire systems certification' class.

 

Code of Professional Conduct

 

The Code of Professional Conduct (the Code) prescribes the principles, standards of behaviour and service delivery requirements expected of accredited individuals under FPAS. All accredited individuals must sign the Code of Professional Conduct declaration, stating that they will abide by the requirements of the Code and accept any decision if it is determined they have breached the Code. Breaches of the code may result in the cancellation of accreditation. 

 

For further enquiries please contact FPA Australia on 03 8892 3131 and ask for the Accreditation/Licensing Department or send an email to Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) at fpas@fpaa.com.au .

 

How to Apply

 

For the Fire Systems Certification Fact Sheet, Application Form and Project Template, please use the links below:   

 

Transitional Accreditation Fact Sheet (Fire Systems Certification)

 

Transitional Accreditation Application Form (Fire Systems Certification)

 

Disclaimer:  FPAS is not a substitute for any requirements for licensing, registration or accreditation established by relevant applicable legislation (state, territory and/or federal) unless otherwise confirmed by relevant regulation.

 

  

 

CPD Log Form for Fire Systems Design & Fire Systems Certification

 

CPD Log - Excel

 

CPD Log - PDF

 

Sample CPD Log