Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme -...

20 March 2014

Draft 2

Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme

Class: ‘Design’ and ‘Certify’

Consultation Paper

Draft 2 Consultation Paper ‘Design’ and ‘Certify’ 20 March 2014 2

© Fire Protection Association Australia 2012

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Victoria 3130

Ph: 03 8892 3131

Fax: 03 8892 3132

www.fpaa.com.au

Consultation Paper 2014: Draft 2

‘Design’ and ‘Certify’ Working Group

A Working Group has been set up to explore the elements for ‘design’ and ‘certify’ accreditation for

individuals in the fire protection industry.

The group comprises:

Bill Lea – FPA Australia Board

Christopher Summers – Christopher Summers & Associates

David Swinson – Fire Safety Consulting Pty Ltd

Rebecca Fullerton – Chubb Fire & Security

Rod Rolfe – Wormald

Scott Williams – FPA Australia

Matthew Wright – FPA Australia

Chris Wyborn – FPA Australia

Lauren St Clair – FPA Australia

Leo Mautone – FPA Australia

Denise Friend – FPA Australia

Note: ‘Design’ and ‘Certify’ are two distinct classes under FPAS.

For the purposes of this document, the content relates to both classes.


Contents

1.0 Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) 4

2.0 ‘Design’ and ‘Certify’ class of accreditation 4

2.1 ‘Design’ and ‘Certify’ class of accreditation 4

2.2 Definition of ‘Design’ class of work 5

2.3 Definition of ‘Certify’ class of work 5

2.4 Categories in ‘Design’ and ‘Certify’ 6

2.5 Required Insurance coverage for ‘design’ and ‘certify’ 7

3.0 Pathways into the Scheme for individuals 8

3.1 Qualified Accreditation pathway 8

3.1.1 Conditions to Satisfy Qualified Accreditation Type 9

3.1.2 ‘Design’ and ‘Certify’ required qualification(s) to meet Qualified Accreditation 9

3.2 Experienced (transitional) Accreditation pathway 10

3.2.1 Conditions to Satisfy Experienced Accreditation Type 10

3.2.2 Criteria for experience evidence 10

3.3 Trainee (transitional) Accreditation pathway 12

3.3.1 Conditions to Satisfy Trainee Accreditation Type 12

3.4 Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) 12

3.5 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) 13


1.0 Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS)

FPA Australia introduced a voluntary accreditation scheme known as the Fire Protection

Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) in July 2013 for accrediting workers in the fire protection

industry.

The Scheme commenced by addressing the ‘inspect and test’ area of fire protection work

with the launch of the Inspect and Test class of accreditation. As this is now embedded

and working effectively, it is appropriate to extend accreditation to individuals undertaking

‘design’ and ‘certify’ work in the fire protection industry.

2.0 ‘Design’ and ‘Certify’ class of accreditation

The ‘design’ and ‘certify’ classes will accredit individuals who perform design and

certification of essential safety measures in the fire protection industry. Initially the

Scheme will focus on ‘design’ and ‘certify’ activities associated with the following essential

safety measures:

• Fire detection and alarm systems

• Sprinkler Systems

• Hydrant systems.

These will form the first categories available under the initial phase of the ‘design’ and

‘certify’ class of accreditation. It is proposed to implement these categories within the

first quarter of 2014. The ‘design’ and ‘certify’ classes under the Scheme may include

more categories in the future such as but not limited to ‘Exit and emergency lighting’ and

‘Fire compartmentation and protection of openings’ if required by regulators or industry

needs.

2.1 ‘Design’ and ‘Certify’ class of accreditation

FPAS has five (5) individual accreditation classes of work that cover the different work

activities undertaken within the fire protection industry. These five classes of work are:

Stage 2 Stage 2 Stage 1

Launched

Since July 2013, the Scheme has only covered the ‘inspect and test’ class (stage 1) of fire

protection work. This next accreditation development stage covers the ‘design’ and ‘certify’

classes (stage 2).


2.2 Definition of ‘Design’ class of work

The ‘Design’ class of work covers designs to a required standard where the finished design

documentation outlines required design criteria and the documentation provided is

suitable for procurement / manufacture / construction / installation / commissioning by

competent personnel.

The ‘design’ class includes the following activities:

• developing a design brief;

• analysing the design requirements;

• researching products and design solutions;

• specifying requirements of a design solution and products to meet design

requirements;

• conceptualising and documenting design solutions;

• validating that the design solution meets the required design;

• finalising documentation for the procurement, manufacture, construction and

installation, commissioning and maintenance on the equipment relating to the

system designed, to ensure the system meets all design and installation criteria at

the time of certification. Such documentation would consist of:

- system design calculations

- system required reference data such as pressure gauge schedules, interface

cause and effect diagrams

- manufacturing drawings such as CIEs, bracketing/supports, pipework and

- construction drawings.

2.3 Definition of ‘Certify’ class of work

The ‘Certify’ class of work covers the formal validation and certification that states the

properties and performance of an installed and commissioned system fulfil the specific

requirements of the approved design.

Note: When the approved design includes an Alternative Solution or other variation to

Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions or other locally prescribed requirements, individuals

undertaking the certify function are expected to acknowledge this and exempt such works

from certification pending endorsement from the relevant approval authority which may

include the fire safety engineer, relevant fire authority or project Building Surveyor.

This process is the initial system certification of the installed system and is not the annual

post construction certification process whereby a practitioner validates that the installed

system is still capable of performing to the original design/installation requirements.


The ‘certify’ class includes the following activities:

• reviewing and analysing the design and installed/constructed system to ensure it

fulfils the requirements of the approved design;

• researching the products installed and the design solutions used;

• verifying that the design solution and products, do meet design/installation

requirements;

• verifying that the system products and equipment were constructed and installed in

accordance with finalised and approved version of design documentation and are fit

for purpose;

• commissioning procedure and performance results that validate system

performance to required standards; and documentation that supports required

evidence that the system meets all design and future maintenance criteria, so that

certification of the system can be issued.

Note: The FPAS ‘Design’ and/or ‘Certify’ accreditation does not absolve the individual or company

from satisfying any other relevant legislative or licensing requirements applicable to the

design or certification of fire protection systems.

2.4 Categories in ‘Design’ and ‘Certify’

Fire protection designers and/or certifiers are accredited under the Scheme to carry out

work in either ‘Design’ and/or ‘Certify’ for one (1) or more categories of fire protection

work. Individuals can be accredited in more than one (1) category for a class.

The individual must be evaluated and deemed competent to be accredited in a category of

either the ‘Design’ and/or ‘Certify’ Class.

The initial ‘Design’ and ‘Certify’ categories that have been identified for the roll out of the

first phase of ‘design’ and ‘certify’ accreditation are shown in the following table. The

working group will determine additional categories during the second phase of the

accreditation roll out.

Table 1: ‘Design’ and ‘Certify’ Categories

Category Design Class Certify Class

1 Fire sprinkler systems ��

2 Fire hydrant and hose reel systems ��

3 Fire detection and alarm systems ��


2.5 Required Insurance coverage for ‘design’ and ‘certify’

Accredited personnel undertaking design and/or certification work are required to be

covered by both Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance that is appropriate

to the fire protection services they undertake.

When applying for accreditation an individual must provide documentation that verifies he

or she (or the company he or she is engaged by) is covered by Public liability and

Professional Indemnity insurance and that the level of cover is appropriate to the fire

protection services he or she provides. This is also a requirement when renewing

accreditation.

An applicant applying for accreditation (or the company they are engaged by) must hold

Public Liability and Professional Indemnity that meets the following minimum

requirements:

• covers the applicant for work he or she undertakes in the accreditation category for

which he or she is applying.

• is not part of a ‘Shared Policy’ where members have equal access to the policy yet

the policy only covers one significant event or claim within the insured year (this type

of policy may not have sufficient funds to support all claim(s) by members within a

year).

• has a minimum insurance of $10 million for Public Liability and $2 million for

Professional Indemnity.

• details a ‘Run-Off’ policy that exists for six (6) years following cessation of trade or

cancellation of accreditation (to cover the statute of limitation period of which civil

action could be brought against the individual).


3.0 Pathways into the Scheme for individuals

As with the ‘inspect and test’ class of accreditation, the proposed ‘Design’ and ‘Certify’

classes will have three (3) individual accreditation pathways for entry into the Scheme:

1. Qualified

2. Experienced (transitional) and

3. Trainee (transitional).

The Experienced and Trainee pathways provide transitional accreditation arrangements for

individuals and allow transition time for the required units of competency to be attained.

The figure below shows the pathways for Experienced (transitional) and Trainee

(transitional) individuals to transition to Qualified Accreditation.


3.1 Qualified Accreditation pathway

Qualified Accreditation refers to an individual who holds the approved qualification(s) for

a specific category of work activities.

Table 2: Qualified Accreditation pathway

Accreditation Type Conditions to Satisfy Accreditation Type

Qualified

• Holds required Qualification(s).

• Provides sufficient evidence of two (2) years’ relevant experience in the

category applied for.

• Holds required insurance.

• Signs the Code of Conduct.

• Accreditation fee paid.

• Application approved by FPA Australia.

3.1.1 Conditions to Satisfy Qualified Accreditation Type

• Holds the required qualification(s) in the categories of ‘Design’ and/or ‘Certify’ work

applied for.

• Provides sufficient and relevant evidence of two (2) years design and/or certification

experience in the fire protection industry (including specific examples of work

completed).

• Provides verification through documentation that he or she (or the company he or

she is engaged by) holds the required insurance covering the nominated scope of

work. See insurance requirements on page 7.


• Accreditation fee paid and application approved by FPA Australia.

3.1.2 ‘Design’ and ‘Certify’ required qualification(s) to meet Qualified Accreditation

An individual applying for ‘design’ and ‘certify’ accreditation is required to hold an

appropriate qualification or deemed equivalent qualification plus the relevant units of

competency for the category of ‘design’ and ‘certify’ work applied for.

Appropriate available qualifications will be determined under the Scheme and could

include for example: a Diploma of Fire System Design, Diploma in Fire Technology and

Certificate IV in Fire Technology, Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services (including

identification of any competency gaps in current qualifications).


3.2 Experienced (transitional) Accreditation pathway

Experienced (transitional) Accreditation refers to an individual who has relevant

engineering work experience in the category of fire protection in ‘Design’ and/or ‘Certify’.

Table 3: Experienced Accreditation pathway


Experienced

• Provides sufficient evidence of four (4) years relevant design and/or

certification experience in the fire protection industry.

• Holds required insurance.

• Attends a mandatory FPA Australia course and assessment.

• Agrees to transitional accreditation and transitions to Qualified

Accreditation within four (4) years.




Note: The four (4) year transition period is set from the accreditation approval date.

3.2.1 Conditions to Satisfy Experienced Accreditation Type

• Provides sufficient, relevant and recent evidence including specific examples of four

(4) years design and/or certification experience in the fire protection industry as

detailed in 3.2.2 Criteria for experience evidence.




• Attends a mandatory FPA Australia course and assessment. An example of the

content that could be included in the training course: legislative landscape; primary

and secondary referencing standards; key stakeholders roles and responsibilities;

results presentation; approved forms; and end of day assessment.

• Agrees to transition from Experienced to Qualified Accreditation within four (4) years

from accreditation approval date.



3.2.2 Criteria for experience evidence

Time Duration for experience

The individual must provide evidence of having spent a minimum of four (4) years in the

fire protection industry undertaking ‘design’ and/or ‘certify’ activities in the category for

which they are applying.


This four (4) year minimum period does not have to be continuous (i.e. the minimum time

in the industry can be accrued over a number of periods) providing that the evidence

details a minimum of recent experience of at least eighteen (18) months within the last

three (3) years from the date of the application, to ensure currency in industry practices.

Documented Vocational Experience

Sufficient evidence of experience is to be provided by the applicant in one (1) or more of

the categories for either ‘Design’ and/or ‘Certify’ and substantiated by supporting

documents and information. Confirmation of applicable work experience can be identified

by documentation that demonstrates work performed including the:

• Types of fire protection systems, equipment and components worked on.

• The role of the applicant in the work and a clear description of what work was

undertaken.

• Documentation relating to the work performed that covers ‘design’ and/or ‘certify’

activities.

The evidence of experience also needs to identify recent and relevant work and

workplace locations, for each accreditation category applied for, and needs to be

substantiated by managers, supervisors and/or appropriate referees.

The type of documentation and weighting of evidence to meet minimal requirements is

detailed in Table 4 below. All documents must be certified copies of original documents.

Table 4: Acceptable evidence documentation

Criteria

‘Design’ Category ‘Certify’ Category

Acceptable documents are listed below: Acceptable documents are listed below:

Time duration

Documents that details work role as a

designer:

• Work history over the required periods

• Job description relating to work history

• Third party validation/referee.

Documents that details work role as a

certifier:

• Work history over the required periods

• Job description relating to work history

• Third party validation/referee.

System

requirements

• System design calculations such as

hydraulics, alarm system current, loop

length voltage drops.

• For construction 2D drawings.

• Manufacturing drawings for CIEs,

pipework or support drawings.

• Deemed to Satisfy design criteria baseline

data check sheets points that they

validated for their work.

• Certification system report detail

compliance and noncompliance of system

issues/defects.

Compliance

Documentation relating to design meets

Deemed to Satisfy (DTS) requirements:

• Certification of design.

• Report on design criteria validations and

assumptions.

• Commissioning documentation.

• Certification documentation.


3.3 Trainee (transitional) Accreditation pathway

Trainee (transitional) Accreditation refers to an individual working under supervision in

the fire protection industry whilst undertaking approved formal learning.

Table 5: Trainee Accreditation pathway


Trainee

• Limited to working only under direct supervision of an individual who is

accredited as Qualified or Experienced (transitional).

• Agrees to transitional accreditation and transitions to Qualified

Accreditation within four (4) years and enroll in a course recognised under

FPAS.

• Engaged by a company that holds required insurance and undertakes the

fire protection work in the accreditation category applied for.




3.3.1 Conditions to Satisfy Trainee Accreditation Type

• Provides required employment details and agrees to work under supervision when

undertaking ‘design’ and/or ‘certify’ activities relevant to accreditation category.

• Agrees to transition from Trainee to Qualified Accreditation within four (4) years of

the accreditation approval date and can provide evidence of enrolment in a course

recognised under FPAS and relating to trainee accreditation category.






Note: The four (4) year transition is set from the accreditation approval date.

3.4 Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)

Under the Scheme, an individual who has many years’ experience in ‘design’ and / or

‘certify’ work in the fire protection industry and therefore a level of knowledge and skills in

a particular work activity, is able to undertake Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at a

Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and possibly gain credit towards a qualification.

RPL is a process in the vocational education and training sector that reviews an individual’s

prior experience through work, formal training and other life experiences and, depending


on a person’s current ability, enables an individual to go directly to assessment by a

qualified workplace assessor. RPL is also known as an Assessment Only process.

3.5 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 study, short courses, workshops, seminars and discussion groups, conferences,

technical meetings, learning in the workplace and private study.

Under the Scheme, CPD commitment by an individual will be a requirement of

accreditation and renewal, so that an individual is up-to-date with current work practices

in the fire protection industry and in the accredited ‘design’ and ‘certify’ category.

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