News & Views

The Fire Protection Association Australia have taken the NSW Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme on board as their own.

Why did this happen?
Long story short, the NSW Government needed to act on the building industry failures over the past 30 years regarding Opal and Mascot towers, but this is only a couple of the many disasters in the industry.

The NSW Government have had many enquiries and have put many recommendations forward for the building industry. Least of all is the Fire Protection Industry. The NSW Government have indicated thatthey don’t want to regulate or enforce sectors of the industry as they don’t want to incur costs and impose regulation on any company or individual. They would rather have industry self-regulate and deal with the “rule breakers” themselves. 

The regulation is done under legislation that the government designed and enacted. It is then up to industry bodies to adapt and follow the legislation whether through an accreditation system or licencing.  I asked the government if this means that they want to remove the Electrical Licence from their control, and they said no and that it wouldn’t happen.

Where does all of this leave us as electricians who work in Fire Protection?

Well, you are required to be registered with the FPAA as per the FPAS by April 6 2020.

What is the work that electricians need to be registered for?
If you do Fire Design or Annual Fire Safety Statements (AFSS). This is only for fire work done in NSW.

If you only maintain and install emergency and exit lighting and smoke detectors, you are not required to register.

Do I have to be a member of the FPAA to register?
No, under the scheme rules, the FPAA must register all members and non-members. That means you can’t be forced to join their organisation.

What about Mechanical/Electricians?
They are exempt from registering for design, BUT not from AFSS as they must register.

What areas does AFSS encompass?
The AFSS certifier must cover all areas of Fire Protection Work including but not limited to hydraulic systems, hydrant pressure and flow, FIP’s, lifts, air handling units, emergency and exit lighting and smoke detection.

What has NECA done regarding FPAS and the FPAA?
Oliver Judd and Grant Morehouse have had a teleconference with Department of Fair Trading, Johnathan Lynch. We also have issued a letter to Minister Anderson, Secretary Hogan and Mr Lynch stating our concerns regarding this scheme and the effects on electricians, their business and customers. In addition, the meeting with the Department, we are seeking to engage the Secretary and the Minister including NECA members to voice NECA and NECA members concerns.

Click here to read NECA's letter to Minister Andersan regarding the commencement of the Competent Fire Safety Practitioner registration requirements under the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme.

If you would like to discuss the matters at hand, please contact Grant Morehouse on 0497 767 473 or email: grant.morehouse@neca.asn.au

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