Barry Lee and Russell Shephard —standards heroes

For its 100th anniversary, Standards Australia is celebrating people who have contributed to its success and made a lasting impact upon standardisation. Two of those recognised by their peers, Barry Lee OAM and Russell Shephard, have been key figures in FPA Australia and AFAC, respectively.

The following descriptions of Barry and Russell were written for the celebration. We thank Standards Australia for acknowledging Barry’s and Russell’s contributions and for permitting us to reprint these biographies.

Barry Lee OAM

As a founding member of Fire Protection Australia and recipient of a United Nations Environment Programme Citation and Medal of the Order of Australia, Barry Lee is a significant figure in fire safety and fire safety standards.

Mr Lee’s career spanned 70 years and was hugely impactful to national and international safety and associated standards.

A mechanical engineer by training (RMIT), Mr Lee spent the majority of his career in fire protection engineering as the former Technical Director of Wormald International. He is also a fellow of Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) UK and foundation patron of IFE Australia, in addition to being a Fellow and past Director of Society of Fire Protection Engineers, USA.

Mr Lee was awarded the Medal of Order of Australia in 1990 for service to industry, particularly in the area of fire protection. And in 1989, he was recognised with a United Nations Environment Programme Citation of Excellence for his outstanding contribution to the protection of the earth’s ozone layer.

More recently, Mr Lee was honoured with the Barry Lee Training Room—a dedicated room that showcases a range of equipment covering wet and dry fire systems. Situated within the grounds of the NSW Emergency Services Academy, the room is a collaboration between Fire Protection Association Australia and Fire and Rescue NSW.

Mr Lee commenced his professional career and became involved in standards concurrently in the 1950s in Melbourne.

“Most of my work with standards was in the ‘keeping us safe’ category. My proudest achievements include completion of the first Australian standards on fire service pumps, maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment, automatic sprinkler protection for accommodation buildings not exceeding four storeys in height, combined sprinkler and hydrant systems in multistorey buildings, and water spray systems for bushfire protection; also, HB-46 Fire Safety in the Home—all of which I chaired,” explained Mr Lee.

“On the international scene, I chaired ISO TC 21/SC 8, the technical committee charged with development of the first standard on gaseous fire extinguishing systems. This was duly accomplished and was subsequently adopted in Australia, the UK, and South Africa, among others,” he continued.

Mr Lee believes the standards development process has become vastly more sophisticated as time has passed.

“Committee work is enhanced by the use of drafting leaders, work scheduling, progress reviews, and specialist staff resources. The selection and training of young leaders through the NEXTgen program is a good example of the more forward-looking approach to standards development,” he explained.

In the coming years, Mr Lee would like to see clearly, timely development of national and international standards.

“I envision Standards Australia as being even more active in anticipating standards needs across the board, particularly in areas of emerging technologies such as renewable energy and the like. I see this as forestalling problems in the field well ahead of issues emerging in practice,” he said.

Adrian O’Connell, CEO at Standards Australia, said: “Barry is recognised nationally as an influential contributor to our fire safety standards. His dedication and commitment are second to none and his experience in fire safety is world leading. We’re beyond grateful for the work achieved by people like Barry, who are the driving force behind Australia’s safety standards.”

PHOTO: FPA AUSTRALIA Barry Lee OAM

Russell Shephard

PHOTO: AFAC

Russell Shephard

Russell Shephard has an extensive history working with the ACT Fire and Rescue and ACT Emergency Services Agency. For over 25 years, he has been working with the development and revision of Australian and international standards for firefighters and emergency services personal protective equipment.

Mr Shephard sits on a number of Standards Australia committees, chairing SF-052 Personal Safety— Personal Protective Equipment and SF-053 Protective Clothing. He works as Manager Standards at the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council.

How did you become involved in standards development?

I first became involved in standards when I was asked by the United Firefighters Union to represent Australian firefighters.

The first standards that I worked on were the development of a AS/NZS 4067 Structural firefighting helmet, and AS/NZS 1801 Occupational protective helmets (within this Standard a

provision was made for the inclusion of a Type 3 Bushfire Helmet). In addition, I was asked to represent the firefighters in the development of the first Australian Standard, AS 4967 Protective clothing for firefighters—Requirements and test methods for protective clothing used for structural firefighting. This Standard was published in 2001 and was developed based on an International Standard ISO 11613:1999.

What role have standards played in your career?

Standards, in particular the connection between standards and the health and safety of firefighters, consumed my life as a young firefighter and as a union representative, with a special focus on personal protective equipment (PPE).

I was soon recognised as a person with a passion for improving firefighters’ PPE, and a way of doing this was through the development of standards and assisting fire agencies with the development of PPE specifications. I was soon asked to participate in several standards committees—not all relating directly to firefighters, some of these I have had the opportunity to lead as Chair.

What is a project you’ve been particularly proud to have helped deliver?

I have worked on many projects participating on standards committees over the last 30 years; however, I must say that the most important project I have been responsible for as Chair of ISO TC94/SC14 is the development of ISO 23616:2022 Cleaning, inspection and repair of firefighters’ personal protective equipment. The purpose of this document is to provide the requirements, guidance, and recommendations regarding the cleaning, inspection, and repair of firefighters’ PPE and establish criteria for its cleaning, inspection, and repair. This document has been developed in response to growing concerns about contaminated PPE and potential health hazards for firefighters. Fire and rescue services, and the manufacturers of PPE, want to provide instructions and guidance to effectively minimise and manage this risk.

Outside of standards development, what have been some highlights of your career?

It is difficult to identify highlights that are not in some way linked to standards for as my entire working life, starting as a young volunteer firefighter at the age of 17, standards and health and safety have been at the forefront. I would like to mention the following: „ On 26 January 2008, I was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) by the Governor-General on behalf of the Queen, for distinguished service to the fire industry in the area of health and safety. „ In April 2015, I was advised that I had been nominated for the Standards

Australia prestigious award, the W.R.

Hebblewhite Medal, and that I was the winner of that award.

What do you think the future of standardisation looks like?

It is my belief that standards will continue to play a major role in our everyday lives, for example, the guidance it provides in relation to PPE, as has been seen during the pandemic with the development and compliance of face masks.

The development of measures will assist with addressing climate change and working with key stakeholders regarding the building and construction industry. All of these and many other issues need to be on the agenda in the future; however, a greater discussion also needs to occur regarding compliance issues and how many standards currently not referenced in legislation can be included.

Is there anything you’d like to say or mention about Standards Australia’s centenary year?

When it comes to Standards Australia, I can only say congratulations, what an achievement. And to all those who I have interacted with over many years, a big thank you as, if it was not for you and the support you have given me and my industry over many years, we would not be as successful as we are today in protecting the community. If it was not for you I would not have been able to improve firefighters’ safety.

To learn more about Standards Australia’s centenary, and to see the other heroes, visit www.standards.org.au/centenary/ centenary-home.

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