Buildings in the Victorian town of Wodonga will be less safe
than those just over the NSW border in Albury, because the
Victorian Government has fallen behind on important fire safety
reforms while NSW is on the brink of introducing wide spread
improvements, according to Fire Protection Association Australia
(FPA Australia).
"FPA Australia believes the regulatory changes proposed by the
NSW Government to improve fire safety are once-in-a-generation,
nation leading reforms that all other states and territories should
follow. People and property will be safer as a result," explained
FPA Australia CEO Scott Williams.
"At the moment almost anyone can undertake critical life-saving
fire safety work on items such as alarms, sprinklers and
extinguishers in places like apartment blocks, sporting stadiums,
schools, hospitals or office towers. Under the NSW proposed
reforms, people will have to demonstrate their competence and be
accredited under recognised schemes such as FPA Australia's Fire
Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS).
"The NSW reforms will improve documentation including
plans, specifications and baseline data information; improved
vigilance for compliance including critical stage inspections; and
improved competency requirements including clarification of who can
undertake certain fire safety activities."
Mr Williams said the Victorian community will not be so well
protected because anyone can claim to have the expertise to do many
of these tasks and never need to have their competence
confirmed.
"This work is critical to life safety and the effective
operation of systems and equipment is often the difference between
tragedy and escape. People undertaking any work should themselves
be able to prove they are capable.
"It is incomprehensible that advances in fire
safety only seem to come after major disasters like the Queensland
Childers Palace Backpacker Hostel fire in 2000 where 15 people
tragically died; or the 2012 Bankstown, NSW fire that sadly
claimed the life of Connie Zhang.
"Victoria was lucky that in 2014 the Lacrosse Apartment fire did
not result in death and injury. FPA Australia would like to see the
Victorian Andrews' Government build on the initiatives it has
already taken and follow the NSW lead to introduce mandatory
accreditation for the Fire Protection Industry as soon as
possible."
Mr Williams urged all individuals working within the fire
protection industry to review the NSW draft regulations and comment
before the consultation period ends on 31 January.
"This is a chance to help shape the future and be part of
significant positive change. It is vital to be involved and provide
comment either directly to the NSW Government or through FPA
Australia."