Fire Systems Design
Looking for an accredited fire systems
Designer?
FPA Australia is currently processing accreditation applications
for the Fire Systems Design class of work. Click on the button
below to view the register of persons accredited to date.
The 'Fire Systems Design' class accredits individuals who
perform design 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 will form the categories available
under the initial phase of 'Fire Systems Design'.
In the future, additional categories will be included, such
as but not limited to, 'Exit and emergency lighting' and 'Passive
Fire Protection'.
The 'Fire Systems Design' class of work 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.
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 Design' work includes:
1. Defining scope,
system requirements and extent of fire systems design projects.
2. Planning sketch layout of
the fire system design.
3. 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.
Note: 'Fire Systems Design' accreditation under
FPAS does not absolve the individual or company from satisfying any
other relevant legislative or licensing requirements applicable to
the design of fire protection systems.
Categories
Fire systems designers are accredited under the Scheme to carry
out work in the 'Fire Systems Design' 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 Design' 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 Design' class will initially be launched with
two (2) individual accreditation pathways for entry into the
Scheme:
1. Transitional (experienced pathway) and
2. Trainee
The Qualified Accreditation pathway will be added at a later
date. This decision was made due to a number of factors:
- First, the Association wishes to ensure that there is
sufficient capacity among the existing Registered Training
Organisations delivering the Diploma of Fire Systems Design to
deliver this qualification nationally.
- The Association, in our continuing engagement with regulators,
is aware of current government consultations and reviews applicable
to fire systems design work, and we would like to ensure alignment
wherever possible.
- This revision will allow the Association more time to engage
actively with the membership and the industry with regard to the
final specific requirements for the Qualified Accreditation
pathway.
The Association will endevour to announce a more detailed
timeframe for the Qualified pathway rollout in 2018, so be sure to
check the FPAS page of our website www.fpaa.com.au/fpas regularly for further
updates.
Transitional Accreditation pathway
Transitional Accreditation (through experience) refers to an
individual who has sufficient relevant work experience in fire
systems design with a minimum of four (4) years working as a 'fire
systems designer' 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 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 Design' class.
The Trainee pathway provides transitional accreditation
arrangements and allows a four (4) year transition period for
individuals to gain a qualification and the required units of
competency for Qualified Accreditation (when introduced).
Relevant Experience
The relevant experience required for Transitional Accreditation
is a minimum of four (4) years work in the fire systems design
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 system
designs per category being applied for, including the specific
building types and uses where the applicant has designed 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, applicants are
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 including examples of assessment
questions
Fire Systems Design Assessment
The assessment process has been developed to ensure that
individuals applying for accreditation in fire systems design 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 design class.
- 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:
- Jurisdictional Legislation / Codes / Standards
- Practical application and Knowledge
- Specific Systems Design Knowledge of Australian
Standards
- Specific Systems Design Knowledge.
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 design'
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 termination
of accreditation.
For further enquires 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 Design Fact Sheet, Applcation 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.