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.
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:
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).
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).
Evidence of Experience
Evidence of relevant work experience needs to be provided by an
applicant for the categories of accreditation being applied for by
submitting a current Resume and certificates (or reports) for
twenty (20) projects for specific building types and uses, along
with detailed descriptions of the systems, where an individual has
certified the fire protection system.
The projects need to reflect a diverse range of medium to large
size buildings of varying classifications and uses eg for aged
care, office, residential, hospital, warehouse, assembly, shopping
centre.
FPAS Information Session
As part of the accreditation process, an individual is required
to attend a mandatory half-day 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 categories being applied for.
The assessment will include:
- A supervised three (3) hour (minimum) written assessment with a
minimum of 100 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:
- Fire Science
- Jurisdictional Legislation / Codes / Standards
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Approved Design Documentation
- Certification Practices and Report Writing.
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 click here.
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.