Accreditation for fire protection technicians - ensuring safety through professional recognition

FPA Australia has developed the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) to validate the competency of individuals conducting ‘inspect and test’ work activities on fire protection systems and equipment in Australia.

Despite the potentially deadly consequences of incorrect maintenance practices on lifesaving fire protection systems and equipment, in most states and territories there are no minimum training or experience requirements for those individuals tasked with inspecting and testing this equipment.

This is not in keeping with the expectations of building occupiers, owners, facility managers and the community around Australia, and this situation led FPA Australia to develop the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS).

The scheme is the only nationally harmonised accreditation system designed to recognise the skills and competencies of technicians in the fire protection industry across all state and territory jurisdictions in Australia. FPAS also promotes and highlights businesses engaging accredited individuals through ‘business recognition’ provisions.

FPAS, which was officially launched on 1 July 2013, accredits individuals conducting ‘inspect and test’ work activities based on qualifications recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

These activities are set out in Australian Standard 1851 - 2012 Routine Servicing of fire protection systems and equipment. FPA Australia was heavily involved in the development of AS 1851-2012 and is active in lobbying all state regulators to adopt this improved and updated standard. The association also provides a suite of record-keeping logbooks for both AS 1851-2012 and the older 2005 edition.

Despite the dangers of poorly maintained fire protection equipment, failure to reach compliance continues. Field-data management company Verified has identified that, of 40,000 buildings surveyed, less than 40% achieved compliance to AS 1851.*

This non-compliance related to frequency of maintenance and defects in essential fire safety measures including fire sprinklers, alarm systems, portable fire extinguishers and fire hydrants.

FPA Australia CEO Mr Scott Williams said he believed fire protection accreditation was a vital safety issue.

“Most people would be horrified to learn that many critical infrastructure buildings like hospitals, residential apartments, schools and nursing homes have fire safety systems that are not being tested or maintained correctly, but this is what the evidence shows,” he said.

“Until now there has been a very limited framework to validate the competency of individuals working on these systems. As highlighted by the data, this poses a significant risk to community safety and could lead to fire protection measures failing to operate correctly when they are needed most.”

As of April 2014, 380 technicians are accredited under the scheme around Australia with another 100 currently being processed. The association hopes to have up to 1000 technicians accredited under the scheme by the end of the year.

FPAS has received strong industry backing with Chubb Fire, one of Australia’s leading services businesses, committing to ensuring all of its technicians gain accreditation. Many other highly professional businesses around Australia have also committed to accrediting their technicians and gaining business recognition.

In addition, many regulators are working to incorporate the scheme into regulatory frameworks or tendering processes. The Department of Human Services in Victoria, for example, now preferences fire contractors who hold accreditation, such as FPAS, over those who do not. Additionally, future extensions of contracts with DHS will not occur unless contractors are accredited.

Williams said the accreditation requirements were rigorous but fair.

“To gain Qualified Status under the scheme, individual technicians must demonstrate they have achieved competency in every area for which they undertake work; a major shift for the industry.”

FPA Australia is now encouraging all customers who require inspection and testing of fire protection measures to ensure they engage technicians who are FPAS accredited.

Williams said all FPAS accredited technicians will hold at least one accreditation card and these should be cited by building managers, owners and occupiers before any fire protection work is undertaken.

“If an FPAS accredited technician is not yet available in a local area, then customers should make sure their technician is from an FPA Australia code-of-practice compliant member company.

“Ensuring only trained, competent technicians are engaged to maintain essential fire protection systems and equipment in Australia will go a long way to professionalising the industry and securing the highest standard of community fire safety.”

*Data identified by Verified 2004-2010 and relates to compliance with AS 1851-2005.

Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS)
www.fpaa.com.au/fpas