Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia) has launched a new register of fire protection practitioners to connect building industry professionals with FPA Australia Corporate members who currently prepare plans and specifications for the installation or modification of fire safety systems in NSW.

The new Fire Systems Design – NSW Interim Register is a response to the New South Wales building reforms, which primarily cover fire safety and came into effect on 1 October 2017. The reforms require some types of fire protection work in NSW to be conducted by a ‘competent fire safety practitioner’ (CFSP), in particular the preparation of plans and specifications for the installation or modification of fire sprinkler systems, fire hydrant systems, fire hose reel systems or fire detection and alarm systems.

Until the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) is recognised by the NSW Government in 2020, building certifiers are required to satisfy themselves that practitioners conducting this work are competent. You can read more about the reforms at FPA Australia’s NSW reforms FAQ.

The Interim Register lists practitioners that currently conduct this work, and have met FPA Australia’s minimum requirements for experience, insurance, professional conduct and commitment to future accreditation under FPAS.

This new Interim Register complements the existing Fire Systems Design – Accredited Practitioner Register, which lists individuals who hold the FPAS Fire Systems Design (FSD) class of accreditation.

FPA Australia recommends that building certifiers in NSW use accredited individuals listed on the National Register as a first option, but have made the new Fire Systems Design – NSW Interim Register available whilst individuals undertake their journey to becoming accredited under FPAS.

Companies and individual practitioners listed on the Fire Systems Design – NSW Interim Register have demonstrated/declared to FPA Australia that:

• the individual listed is employed by an FPA Australia Corporate member and has a minimum of three years’ experience in undertaking some form of design work on fire sprinkler systems, fire hydrant systems, fire hose reel systems or fire detection and alarm systems
• the individual listed is covered by Public and Product Liability Insurance ($10 million minimum) and Professional Indemnity Insurance ($2 million minimum)
• they have read and agreed to abide by the FPA Australia Code of Practice for companies, and Code of Professional Conduct for individuals
• they have committed to undertake all design of fire safety systems in accordance with the relevant regulations, Codes and Australian Standards
• they hold or have access to current and historical Standards and Codes for the design of fire safety systems, and
• they are committed to applying for the FPAS Fire Systems Design class of accreditation within 90 days of applying to be listed on the Interim Register.

If you are an FPA Australia Corporate member and would like to be listed on the Register, submit your application here.

Note: You can view the Interim Register here. This will be available until the NSW Government recognises FPAS or may be withdrawn earlier at FPA Australia’s sole discretion.