Fire Systems Design
The Fire Systems Design (FSD) class accredits individuals who
perform design activities relating to selected fire safety systems.
The Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) currently covers
activities associated with the following fire safety systems:
- Fire Sprinkler Systems
- Fire Hydrant and Hose Reel Systems
- Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
These three (3) areas of work form the current available
categories of Fire Systems
Design.
Fire Systems Design covers the preparation of designs to a
required standard, where the final design documentation outlines
the requisite design criteria and provides documentation for
procurement / manufacture / construction / installation / and
commissioning by competent personnel.
For each fire safety system available under FPAS, practitioners
can select the appropriate level of work that best suits their
individual needs and circumstances. Each level specifies the system
types, configurations and the nature of work a practitioner at that
level is accredited to undertake, as well as any conditions that
relate to the defined level.
Further information on the categories and accreditation levels
and restrictions can be found in
Practice Note FSD-01 Fire Systems Design Accreditation Levels and
Restrictions.
Scope of the role
The scope of work covered by the Fire Systems Design class of
FPAS accreditation includes:
- Defining scope, system requirements and extent of Fire Systems
Design projects.
- Planning sketch layout of the fire system design.
- Preparing detailed technical design documentation including
plans and specifications for systems and equipment (including
material, installation requirements, testing and commissioning,
operations and maintenance manuals).
The activities for the
Fire Systems Design class include:
- Developing a design brief;
- Assessing and interpreting the design requirements, legislation
and codes;
- Researching products and design solutions;
- Specifying requirements of a design solution and products to
meet design requirements, legislation and codes;
- Conceptualising and documenting design solutions;
- Validating that the design solution meets the required design
criteria; and
- Finalising documentation for the tender procurement,
manufacture, construction and installation, commissioning and
maintenance of the equipment for the system designed, to
ensure the system meets all relevant codes and standards.
-
- Such documentation would consist of system design calculations;
system required reference data such as schematics, details of
pressure gauge schedules, interface diagrams, cause and effect
diagrams, technical specifications and tender and/or construction
drawings.
Transitional
Accredition
From 1 July, 2021, the Transitional
Accreditation pathway for NSW Fire Systems
Designs closed and all new applicants must meet the
Qualified Accreditation requirements.
Practitioners who hold a Transitional Accreditation for
NSW Fire Systems Design will have a period of four years
dating either from the day they were accredited or 1 July, 2020,
whichever is the later to meet the Qualified criteria, as detailed
in the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS).
If you have questions regarding your transtional accrediation,
please contact the team via fpas@fpaa.com.au.
Qualified Accreditation
The Qualified Pathway requires applicants to hold a relevant
nationally recognised qualification aligned to the Fire Systems
Design category or level they wish to apply for. There are 5 key
requirements to meet the Qualified Crtieria:
- Qualification
- Units of Competency
- Experience
- Assessment
- Insurance
Qualified Accreditation applications are now open; please refer
to the Qualified FSD Accreditation Application
form.
More information on the Qualified Accreditation pathway can be
found here: Transitional to
Qualified.
FSD
Qualification Pre-Check
Qualification Pre-Check has been created to assist new and
existing practitioners identify any gaps in their Qualified
Application before applying for the Fire Systems Design
accreditation.Complete this form and return to fpas@fpaa.com.au.
Insurance
FPAS requires accredited individuals to be appropriately
covered by insurance for the fire protection services they
undertake. Further information about insurance requirements can be
found in the Scheme.
If you have more questions, visit the Insurance FAQ
page.
Continuing Professional
Development (CPD)
Practitioners accredited under FPAS are required to undertake
continuing professional development (CPD) in order to maintain
their accreditation. This ensures that these practitioners can keep
their knowledge and skills relevant and up-to-date.
It is a condition of accreditation for individuals to attain 20
CPD points per year, which can be met in a variety of ways.
Practitioners will not be able to renew their accreditation each
year without providing evidence to FPA Australia that they have met
the required threshold.
More information
relating to CPD can be found here.
Advice
Any questions relating to Registered Training Organisations
(RTO's) for FPA Australia must be directed to training@fpaa.com.au
The FPA Australia Accreditation Team are not an RTO, and as such
are unable to provide advice regarding qualifications, units of
competency or costs associated with obtaining these.