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Inspect and Test

Select this option to find an FPAS recognised business in your area providing 'Inspect and Test' services

Select this option to validate an FPAS individual accreditation in 'Inspect and Test' via our National Register

Inspect and Test

The 'Inspect and Test' class accredits individuals who perform 'inspect and test' activities relating to selected essential safety measures in the fire protection industry. The Scheme focuses on activities associated with the essential safety measures covered in ten (10) areas of work that form the categories available under 'Inspect and Test' accreditation. See the table of 'inspect and test' categories below in the Categories section.

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

FPAS accreditation is available to members and non-members of FPA Australia.

Fact sheets, application forms, and other documents can be found here.

The Association invites all members to register for FPAS and enjoy the savings

We are excited to invite FPA Australia Members to take advantage of the benefits when of registering for FPAS and gaining accreditation for all individuals performing inspect & test work. This important initiative is a key part of the Association's 2020 Vision for the fire protection industry: That all individuals will be 'fit-for-action' (trained, competent and accredited) by 2020.

If you are a business owner seeking to Register for FPAS.

To begin the FPAS Registration process, simply click here. This will direct you to our Member CONNECT portal. Then, simply login using the Company login ID.

Click here to find out more about how Corporate Members can Register for FPAS (Inspect & Test), how to gain FPAS Recognised Business Status (Inspect & Test), and to view the Terms and Conditions.

Once accreditation of all of the company's technicians has been completed, Member Companies will also be eligible for up to 20% off the standard cost of training associated with FPAS inspect and test accreditation as well as a further discount off logbooks once the company gains FPAS Recognised Business status.

If you are an individual seeking to gain your FPAS Accreditation (Inspect & Test).

To begin the online FPAS Accreditation application process for employees of Member Companies, simply click here. This will direct you to our Member CONNECT portal. Then, simply login using your Individual login ID.

Click here to download and print the .pdf version of the FPAS Accreditation Fact Sheet and/or the Application Form (Inspect & Test).

Definitions

The 'Inspect and Test' class of work covers 'Inspect', that is 'to visually examine the components of fire protection systems or equipment to establish correct settings, physical condition or fitness for purpose'; and/or 'Test', that is 'to test, after inspecting, by the confirmation of correct function or performance of a component or system'.

The 'Inspect and Test' class covers two (2) levels of accreditation for some categories. The Routine Level (R) or Complex Level (C) are based on the skills and knowledge required to work within a category.

Routine (R) Level accreditation is for activities conducted up to and including six (6) monthly, as described in AS 1851-2012.

Complex (C) Level accreditation includes those activities for Routine Level (R), and other activities conducted annually as described in AS 1851-2012.

Disclaimer: The 'Inspect and Test' accreditation under 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.

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 Pathways

The 'Inspect and Test' class has three (3) accreditation pathways for entry into the scheme:

1. Qualified Accreditation

2. Transitional Accreditation

3. Trainee Accreditation

Qualified Accreditation pathway

Qualified Accreditation refers to an individual who has the minimum required experience AND has completed the specific units of competency that relate to a particular category of Inspect & Test work activity. These units can be found in the nationally-recognised Australian qualifications Certificate II or III - Fire Protection Inspection & Testing (formerly Cert II or III Asset Maintenance - Fire Protection). This combination of experience and the relevant units of competency has been deemed to demonstrate an acceptable standard of competence for this type of work in the fire protection industry.

Please note: Other qualifications may deliver some of the relevant units of competency. Please see the accreditation fact sheets for more details.

FPAS Table Qual Path Dec2015

The units of competency that are required for the ten (10) categories of 'inspect and test' work can be found on the detailed Qualified Accreditation Table.

Transitional Accreditation pathway

Transitional Accreditation refers to an individual who has relevant work experience in the categories of fire protection Inspect and Test work they perform. An experienced applicant may have an existing qualification, but may not have all of the required units of competency to be eligible to apply for Qualified Accreditation.

All persons accredited via the Transitional pathway must complete the required units of competency within 24 months in order to remain accredited.

Trans Path Table Dec 2015

Trainee Accreditation pathway

Trainee Accreditation is for those individuals that do not yet have the minimum required experience conducting inspect & test work activities. An applicant for FPAS Trainee Accreditation must work under supervision of one or more individuals that hold either Transitional or Qualified FPAS Accreditation. For this pathway, the accredited Trainee must work under direct supervision for the first three (3) months, and then under indirect supervision whilst undertaking approved formal learning.

All persons accredited via the Trainee pathway must enroll in the required units of competency within six (6) months of becoming accredited, and must complete those units within 24 months in order to remain accredited.

Trainee Path Table Dec 2015

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 future 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 'inspect and test' class.

Insurance

Insurance cover provides benefits to accredited individuals, business entities and the broader community by mitigating the risks associated with an unforeseen event.

As such, accredited individuals in the 'Inspect and Test' class should be appropriately covered by insurance for the fire protection services they undertake.

Insurance cover needs to be current and maintained, either through the business that employs an accredited individual or independently if the accredited individual operates as a sole trader.

The insurance requirement by the Scheme is to hold Public & Products Liability Insurance for a minimum of $10 million.

Code of Professional Conduct (CoPC)

The Code of Professional Conduct (the Code) prescribes the 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.

Obtaining Accreditation

For further information on the 'Inspect and Test' class:

Refer to the Inspect and Test accreditation Fact Sheets (below).
Contact FPA Australia on 03 8892 3131 and ask for the Accreditation/Licensing team.
Send an email to Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) at fpas@fpaa.com.au

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.

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.