FIRE SYSTEMS DESIGN

Looking for an accredited fire systems Designer?

FPA Australia is currently processing accreditation applications for the Fire Systems Design class
of work and will soon make available a detailed national register of all accredited fire systems
designers. This register is expected to be published in early 2016. Please keep an eye on this
webpage for more information.

The 'Fire Systems Design' class will accredit individuals who perform design activities relating to
selected essential safety measures in the fire protection industry. Initially the Scheme will focus
on activities associated with the following essential safety measures:

Fire Sprinkler Systems

Fire Hydrant and Hose Reel Systems
Fire Detection and Alarm Systems

These three (3) areas of work will form the categories available under the initial phase of 'Fire
Systems Design'. In the future, additional categories will be included, such as but not limited
to, 'Exit and emergency lighting' and 'Passive Fire Protection'.

The 'Fire Systems Design' class of work covers the preparation of designs to a required
standard, where the final design documentation outlines the requisite design criteria and
provides documentation for procurement / manufacture / construction / installation / and
commissioning by competent personnel.

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 definition covering the scope of activities for 'Fire Systems Design' work includes:

1. Defining scope, system requirements and extent of fire systems design projects.
2. Planning sketch layout of the fire system design.
3. Preparing detailed technical design documentation including plans and specifications for
systems and equipment (including material, installation requirements; testing and commissioning;
operations and maintenance manuals).

The activities for the 'Fire Systems Design' class include:

developing a design brief

assessing and interpreting the design requirements, legislation and codes
researching products and design solutions
specifying requirements of a design solution and products to meet design requirements,
legislation and codes
conceptualising and documenting design solutions
validating that the design solution meets the required design criteria, and
finalising documentation for the tender procurement, manufacture, construction and
installation, commissioning and maintenance of the equipment for the system designed, to
ensure the system meets all relevant codes and standards. Such documentation would
consist of system design calculations; system required reference data such as schematics,
details of pressure gauge schedules, interface diagrams, cause and effect diagrams, technical
specifications and tender and/or construction drawings.

Note: 'Fire Systems Design' accreditation under FPAS does not absolve the individual or
company from satisfying any other relevant legislative or licensing requirements applicable to the
design of fire protection systems.

Categories

Fire systems designers are accredited under the Scheme to carry out work in the 'Fire Systems
Design' class for one (1) or more categories made available under FPAS. The individual
applicant will be evaluated and deemed competent to be accredited in any one of the categories
of 'Fire Systems Design' and can be accredited in more than one (1) category.

The initial categories for this class identified for the roll out of Stage 1 are:

The Pathways

The 'Fire Systems Design' class will initially be launched with two (2) individual accreditation
pathways for entry into the Scheme:

1. Transitional (experienced pathway) and

2. Trainee

The Qualified Accreditation pathway will be added at a later date. This decision was made due to
a number of factors:

First, the Association wishes to ensure that there is sufficient capacity among the existing
Registered Training Organisations delivering the Diploma of Fire Systems Design to deliver
this qualification nationally.

The Association, in our continuing engagement with regulators, is aware of current

government consultations and reviews applicable to fire systems design work, and we would
like to ensure alignment wherever possible.

This revision will allow the Association more time to engage actively with the membership
and the industry with regard to the final specific requirements for the Qualified Accreditation
pathway.

The Association will announce a more detailed timeframe for the Qualified pathway rollout in the
latter half of 2016, so be sure to check the FPAS page of our
website www.fpaa.com.au/fpas regularly for further updates.

Transitional Accreditation pathway

Transitional Accreditation (through experience) refers to an individual who has sufficient relevant
work experience in fire systems design with a minimum of four (4) years working as a 'fire
systems designer' within the last ten (10) years in the category being applied for.

In order to achieve Transitional Accreditation an individual must:

Submit an FPAS Accreditation application form , and

attend an FPAS Accreditation Information Session , and
successfully complete a written assessment set by the FPAS evaluation team.

The Transitional Accreditation pathway provides transitional accreditation arrangements and

allows a four (4) year transition period for individuals to gain the required qualification and units
of competency for Qualified Accreditation (when introduced).

Trainee Accreditation pathway

Trainee Accreditation is made available to a trainee working under supervision of an FPAS

accredited individual, holding either Qualified or Transitional Accreditation in the same category,
while undertaking approved formal qualifications relevant to the category being applied for in the
'Fire Systems Design' class.

The Trainee pathway provides transitional accreditation arrangements and allows a four (4) year
transition period for individuals to gain a qualification and the required units of competency for
Qualified Accreditation (when introduced).

Relevant Experience

The relevant experience required for Transitional Accreditation is a minum of four (4) years work
in the fire systems design class and categories applied for. The applicant's experience needs to
have occurred within the last ten (10) years. In considering applications for accreditation the
applicant needs to provid details of work history and practical experience relevant to the
categories of accreditation being applied