Fire Australia Magazine | Issue 2 2024

SACRIFICE HONOURED AT MEMORIAL

FIRE SAFETY FOR EV CHARGING STATIONS

NATIONAL HYDROGEN TRAINING PACKAGE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

INNOVATION AND INDUSTRY

JOHN COLLIE CEO, FPA Australia

It’s almost that time again! Next month is Fire Australia 2024, situated on the beautiful Gold Coast.

It will be my first conference as CEO, and I am excited about how the event is coming together. Coming off last year’s record-breaking efforts, the team is facing a monumental task, but the program and tradeshow are once again shaping up to being world-class. A summary of what is planned can be found starting on page 14, so make sure you go and have a look and learn why this is the conference you should attend. If you’re only planning to come to the tradeshow, remember that tickets booked in advance are free, so bring along your technicians and expose them to the best and latest in fire protection.

Appreciating our members

As you probably know, there is a lot of reform happening around the country. FPA Australia is doing its level best to keep on top of each new proposal, but (as always) we look to our members for their insights to inform all our efforts.

We are blessed to have an army of members who willingly lend their support to guide our positions and to ensure that our engagement is appropriately informed and technically accurate. From the Board to state and territory committees, to Technical Advisory Committees, to Special Interest Groups, and even to our special purpose taskforces, we are well connected and well informed about our members’ views and how the industry feels about certain developments. Obviously, views of different members do not always align, and we have to balance competing perspectives to ensure that the interests of the sector are supported.

In this work, the team at FPA Australia walks a very fine line, but it always has the future success and viability of the industry at heart.

Since joining in October, I’ve been impressed by the knowledge, passion, and dedication of the Association’s staff. They work tirelessly to represent the sector, to provide training opportunities, to increase professionalism through accreditation, to deliver advice on technical issues, and to provide tangible value for membership. As anyone who has contacted the customer service team can attest, the team is here to support our members, and we take that relationship and responsibility very seriously. If you want to find out more about what we do, why not drop in on our stand at Fire Australia 2024 and talk to the team? And, while you’re there, sit in on the program sessions and take a tour around the tradeshow. There will be a lot to see, and we look forward to showing it to you.

OUR COVER

Fire Australia 2024 returns to the Gold Coast. PHOTO: FPA AUSTRALIA

ABOUT FIRE AUSTRALIA

IN THIS ISSUE

14 Fire Australia 2024: Two days of inspiration

18 WA Large Air Tanker extended for autumn

20 Planning for wildfires

22 A decade of remembrance and recognition

23 Fire systems deployed to address the cladding challenge

24 Safety engineering for buildings with EVs and EV charging infrastructure

26 A history of fire sprinkler protection in Australia

28 30 years of AFAC Conference and Exhibition

30 Share insights this May at the Lessons Management Forum

32 Vols on Hols program boosts numbers for a busy summer

34 Securing the future: Standards Australia’s commitment to safety in the growing hydrogen sector

35 National hydrogen training package for first responders

36 Global connections to advance firefighter safety

38 Firefighters saved by training during burnover

40 Fire sprinklers in disability accommodation

FEATURES

News

Advocacy corner 43 Blast from the past 44 Q&A: Perspectives from the sector

Burning ambition

Standards update

Calendar 50 Movers and shakers

Fire Australia is a joint publication of Fire Protection Association Australia and AFAC. We aim to bring the latest news, developments and technical information to the fire protection industry, fire and emergency services organisations, and hazard and emergency management agencies. Fire Australia is produced quarterly and distributed throughout Australia and New Zealand. Editorial submissions and letters to the editor are welcome and can be sent to magazine@fpaa.com.au. For more details on submitting a contribution, please contact the editors.

JOINT EDITORS

PAUL WATERHOUSE (FPA Australia) Tel +61 3 8892 3133 paul.waterhouse@fpaa.com.au

ALANA BEITZ (AFAC)

Tel +61 3 9418 5233 alana.beitz@afac.com.au

To advertise in Fire Australia, contact: Chris Larsen, magazine@fpaa.com.au FPA Australia, PO Box 1049, Box Hill VIC 3128, Australia

agents do not warrant the accuracy or currency of any information or data contained

to the material in this publication. It is not possible for FPA Australia to ensure that advertisements published in this magazine comply in

and the provisions which apply to advertising. Responsibility lies with the person, company or agency submitting the advertisement

copyright. This publication may not be reproduced in printed or electronic form without permission. Contact +61 3 8892 3131

BARRY LEE TRAINING ROOM OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Thanks to some dedicated work by FPA Australia trainer Paul Rust and Ewen Kingdom of Total Concept Industries, the fire panels in the Barry Lee Training Room are now properly installed, connected, and available for training purposes.

The room is an amazing resource located within the world-class Emergency Services Academy in Sydney’s Orchard Hills.

Developed with the support of Fire and Rescue NSW, the room gives firefighters the opportunity to learn what sorts of systems they are likely to encounter within a burning building and allows technicians to be trained on how to operate, service, and maintain them.

In welcoming the completion of the final installations and commissioning, FPA Australia President, Mark Potter, said it was a significant milestone in the history of the Association’s training.

“This specialist training room was envisaged more than six years ago

and has come to life thanks to the hard work and dedication of FPA Australia members and staff,” he said.

“We now have an iconic facility that we can share with the fire services, helping both our sector and the emergency services community to understand what wet and dry fire systems look like, how they operate, and how they will help to keep people safe.

“The Board and Executive of FPA Australia are delighted to have achieved this milestone, and greatly appreciate all those who contributed to its creation.”

NSW Fire Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell AFSM, also welcomed the news about the new training facility.

“We’re proud to be partnering with the industry on this important initiative, and our trainees are already getting immense value from being able to access the Barry Lee Training Room,” he said.

“We congratulate FPA Australia and its team on this achievement, and we look forward to an ongoing strong partnership between our two organisations.”

FPA Australia is now taking enrolments for training in the new Barry Lee Training Room and looks forward to welcoming students to the facility.

PHOTO: FPA AUSTRALIA

PHOTO: FPA AUSTRALIA

Key Industry Experts

Learn about new trends, products and services from key industry experts, through a variety of engaging and interactive formats.

Technical Tracks

Attend our technical CPD seminars and stimulate your professional development, ignite your business opportunities and help develop the fire protection industry.

Tradeshow Hall

Connect with our 80+ local and international Tradeshow exhibitors, showcasing hundreds of industry leading products and services.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: WOMEN IN DISASTER RESILIENCE AND RESEARCH

To mark International Women’s Day in 2024, Natural Hazards Research Australia and Gender and Disaster Australia hosted an expert panel to celebrate women in the emergency sector, and discuss what the research is telling us about the path toward greater inclusion and recognition.

The UN theme for International Women’s Day in 2024 was ‘Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress’. Women’s economic empowerment is central to a gender-equal world. When women are given equal opportunities to earn, learn and lead, entire communities thrive.

This theme was unpacked by panel members:

„ Dr Tegan Larin—Research Fellow, Department of Design, Monash University

„ Katherine Brown—Project Officer, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment

„ Stephanie Andrade—Manager, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,

AFAC, Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience

„ Loriana Bethune—Research and Innovation Manager, Gender and Disaster Australia.

The panel discussed women and gender in natural hazards and disaster, the direction of the broader emergency services and emergency management sector, as well as the crucial role of women in natural hazards resilience.

Throughout the event, the panel showcased ways that investment in women can be improved, as well as sharing their firsthand knowledge of initiatives that are already supporting women and leading the way for our sector.

A recording of the International Women’s Day panel is available on the Natural Hazards Research Australia website: www.naturalhazards.com. au/news-and-events/events/naturalhazards-research-australia-andgender-and-disaster-australia-present

MANAGING ANIMALS IN EMERGENCIES

The Global Animal Disaster Management Conference (GADMC) made a resounding return in 2023, adopting a new multi-time zone format that garnered historical participation. A record

2,500 delegates virtually gathered, comprising of experts and thought leaders, drawn by a comprehensive program of over 40 presentations delivered by global authorities in the field. Delegates came from 36 countries across various continents.

In collaboration with sponsor Four Paws International, GADMC 2023 delivered an array of topics, including:

„ wildfire response in the USA

„ aquatic animal evacuation

„ the effects of the conflict in Ukraine on animals

„ the application of artificial intelligence in lessons management

„ the protection of search and rescue dogs.

A candid discussion on the emerging trend of unofficial responses to animal

disasters added depth to the discourse. GADMC connects leading animal emergency and disaster researchers with practitioners and fellow academics. It is the world’s largest emergency management conference that focuses on promoting animal-inclusive resilient communities.

The conference was again hosted by the charitable organisation Animal Evac New Zealand. GADMC remains freely accessible to presenters, attendees and people interested in viewing recorded sessions. This accessibility is made possible through the dedicated efforts of the volunteer committee and the generous support of sponsors, including Four Paws, Humane Society International, International Fund for Animal Welfare and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation.

Presentations and recordings from its conferences of 2021 and 2023 are available online and are free to access.

NOMINATE NOW FOR STRATEGIC COMMAND PROGRAM

Nominations are now open in AFAC’s Strategic Command Program 2024, offered through the Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM).

The six-day residential program will be held at AIPM in Manly, NSW from Sunday 2 June through to Friday 7 June 2024. The program is designed to enhance the leadership capabilities of senior leaders responsible for strategically commanding and managing critical emergency incidents.

The program is developed and delivered by AFAC, in partnership with AIPM, with an emphasis on the multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional response to large critical emergency management incidents. It involves a specific focus on strategic operations, developing strategies within the context of major emergencies, and learning from other experienced commanders.

In addition to offering highly effective professional networking opportunities, the program also provides a unique, supported environment to self-reflect, learn from each other, pause, and develop professionally. It is aimed at senior operational and executive leaders in operational agencies, offering them professional development that is specifically focused on the public safety sector.

More details, including program and nomination details, are available on the AFAC website: www.afac.com.au/initiative/leadership/ strategic-command-program

All about the conferences, the organisations and its interactive content is on the GADMC website, at https://gadmc.org

PHOTO: ISTOCK

HAVE YOUR SAY ON NSW REFORMS

The NSW Government is currently undertaking an extensive, and ambitious, reform of the construction and fire protection sectors.

These reforms are likely to make significant changes to fire protection, and FPA Australia is greatly concerned that the proposed approach could lead to the loss of experienced practitioners and may not achieve the desired reduction in defects.

Existing reforms, such as accreditation for fire systems designers and fire safety assessors, may be dropped in favour of a new licensing regime, despite only having been in place for three and a half years, and having had a positive impact on the sector.

Other proposed changes, such as the introduction of fire systems certification, risk only being in place for one year before being changed into a licence.

The government has been releasing one discussion paper per month covering various aspects of the proposed reforms, allowing only a month for submissions, which is restricting the level to which associations can consult.

However, we are keen to expand our network of contributors, and FPA Australia members who wish to provide their thoughts on the changes can get involved by emailing us at engagement@fpaa.com.au

A

NEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS DECLARATION IN FORCE

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has released a new declaration covering cabling.

The Telecommunications (Types of Cabling Work) Declaration 2024 makes some minor changes to provisions as part of a broader update of current regulations.

This is designed to address two key risks:

„ ensuring electrical safety— particularly for end users and telecommunications workers

„ protecting the integrity of telecommunications networks

The changes include:

„ specifying that the repurposing of existing cabling—such as through the installation of an Ethernet over Coax (EoC) adapter—is a regulated type of cabling work that must be performed by a registered cabler

„ new definitions of ‘contracted service provider’ and ‘subcontractor’ for cabling work performed by (or on behalf of) a broadcaster or narrowcaster

„ expanding the list of items covered in item 4 of Schedule 1 to the declaration, enabling end users to perform simple low-risk tasks involving the connection of certain associated customer cabling products or items of customer equipment, provided no part of the connected cabling is concealed in a building cavity

„ improving the clarity of certain provisions and updating references to two industry standards and one industry guideline.

To find out more, or to get a copy of the declaration, visit www.acma.gov.au/telecommunicationstypes-cabling-work-declaration-2024

PHOTO:

Above: The Australasian Association of Fire Investigators biennial conference was last held in 2022 on the Gold Coast.

INTERNATIONAL FIRE INVESTIGATION EXPERTISE COMES TO AAFI CONFERENCE

The NSW Association of Fire Investigators (Chapter 47 of International Association of Arson Investigators) will host the 2024 Australasian Association of Fire Investigators (AAFI) biennial conference on 21–23 October, at the Western Sydney Conference Centre in Penrith.

The conference theme is ‘live it, learn it, pass it on’, and delegates are encouraged to discuss their experiences, learn from others, and then return to their workplaces and share what they have learned.

The conference will focus on two main topics: lithium-ion batteries in fire investigation, and wildfire investigation,

presented by Cameron Novak and Richard Woods AFSM respectively. Mr Novak is an Electrical and Fire Research Engineer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the US, while Mr Woods is an international specialist in wildfire cause determination and wildfire prevention.

The conference is an opportunity to learn and interact with two of the world’s leading experts in their field of fire investigation. AAFI 2024 will also offer delegates a unique opportunity of a full-day field trip to the Fire and Rescue NSW Fire Testing and Research

QBCC TRADIE TOOLBOX TOUR COMING THIS APRIL AND MAY

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is hosting 14 Tradie Toolbox events to educate licensees about building financial success in business.

From 16 April to 23 May 2024, the tour will visit locations across Queensland to inform licensed trade contractors in a 90-minute forum about popular financial topics within the industry, including:

„ key contributors to financial success

„ how to be financially fit

„ financial pathways to success

„ assessing financial strength and risk levels

„ identifying potential risks in the industry

„ guidance on financial strategies, including organisations that can counsel and support

„ QBCC’s financial requirements.

Registration links can be found at www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/tradie-toolboxevents

Facility at Londonderry.

AAFI 2024 will welcome delegates from Australasia, the US, and the UK, in particular fire investigators, engineers, police investigators, solicitors, loss adjusters, insurers, and representatives from regulatory agencies and other government departments who use fire investigation research and evidence in the prosecutions of criminal activities, in civil matters, and for improvements in safety requirements.

For more information, see https://aafi2024.au

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All FireSense Cables are ActivFire certified & are the ONLY full range of ActivFire certified cable in Australia.

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FireSense is Triple ISO accredited & certified in Quality, Environment and OH&S.

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There are eight Resilient Australia Award categories. State and territory winners will be considered for national awards in each category. Submissions to the new National Research for Impact Award progress directly to the national award level.

25 YEARS OF RECOGNISING

RESILIENCE

The 2024 Resilient Australia Awards are now open for submissions. For 25 years, the awards have celebrated initiatives that build resilience and inspire others to act—making communities safer, more connected, and better prepared for disasters and emergencies.

Since their establishment in 2000, the awards have recognised outstanding contributions in each state and territory across multiple sectors and disciplines. They endorse a wide range of initiatives, with past projects centred around risk assessment and mitigation, planning and preparation, and response and recovery.

Submissions for the 2024 Resilient Australia Awards will be accepted in each state and territory for government, business, mental health and wellbeing, local government, schools, community and photography award categories.

The state and territory winners in each category will progress to national rounds, and will also be considered for two additional national-level awards: the Resilient Australia National Award, and the Resilient Australia National Collaboration and Partnership Award.

This year, the Resilient Australia Awards is also introducing the National Research for Impact Award. The new award category is open to tertiary institutions and recognises research that is having, or will have, a significant impact on knowledge, capability, and

practice, and will enhance disaster resilience outcomes as a result.

Research plays an important role in building disaster resilience and reducing disaster risk. The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience is encouraging all researchers and tertiary institutions to submit their project to the program for their opportunity to be the inaugural winner of the Resilient Australia National Research for Impact Award.

The awards are open to all Australians, including, but not limited to, individuals, not-for-profit organisations, small and large businesses, all levels of government, schools, education

institutions, research bodies, and emergency service agencies.

The Resilient Australia Awards are managed by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, and are proudly sponsored by the Australian Government in conjunction with the states and territories.

Submissions can be made in written or video format and will be accepted until 11.59 pm AEST on 31 May 2024. For more information and to submit, visit www.aidr.org.au/raa

University of Sydney was awarded the Resilient Australia National Award in 2023 for their disability inclusive disaster preparedness resources.

PHOTO: AIDR

AFAC DOCTRINE RELEASED IN 2024

AFAC’s most significant intellectual property asset is its suite of doctrine publications. It is evidence-based, constantly reviewed, vested as the official view by the AFAC National Council and sector leaders and aligns to AFAC’s Strategic Directions.

The latest additions and updates to AFAC’s doctrine collection are:

„ Use of chemicals in bushfire control and prescribed burning

Provides advice to AFAC member agencies on chemicals—and their use—that can be considered as supported for use in Australia and New Zealand for bushfire control and prescribed burning.

„ Managing bushfires on the rural–urban interface

Helps to create a common understanding of the management of bushfires at the rural–urban interface and improve interoperability between multiple agencies. The principal focus of this guideline is the control and suppression of fire at the

EV CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE

rural–urban interface, while managing public safety and protecting the built environment and other assets. This guideline informs strategies and tactics adopted by ground-based resources.

„ Electric vehicles (EV) and EV charging equipment in the built environment

Seeks to identify and inform about the risks to the community and emergency responders in and around EVs and EV charging infrastructure in the built environment. The aim of this position is to highlight issues and provide guidance relating to EVs within the built environment, and the planning and design for installation of EV charging facilities.

„ Smoke alarms in residential accommodation

Expresses AFAC’s guidance on smoke alarms installed in domestic and residential accommodation, including homes, apartments, units, flats, holiday accommodation, and

mobile homes in Australia and New Zealand. This guideline is based on smoke alarm performance, research, industry knowledge, and emerging technology.

All AFAC doctrine, including those listed above, can be found at www.afac.com.au/insight/doctrine

In response to the increased uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) in WA, and in line with the State Electric Vehicle Strategy, the Western Australian Planning Commission has released a position statement, Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure The statement aims to:

„ help proponents and decision-makers by advocating for a streamlined approvals process for EV charging infrastructure

„ provide guidance on development applications, public works, appropriate locations, and recommended levels of provision for various land uses, including residential development.

The position statement, along with a series of frequently asked questions, are now accessible at www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/ position-statement-electric-vehicle-charginginfrastructure

For more information, contact infrastructure@ dplh.wa.gov.au

2022DSTRATEGICIRECTIONS – 2026

IGNITE CHANGE IN 2024 AND LEAD THE FUTURE OF BUSHFIRE PROTECTION

A new event has joined the calendar, catering for those who are passionate about driving change and innovation in bushfire protection.

FPA Australia’s inaugural bushfire conference—‘Ignite Change in 2024’— will be held at the Pan Pacific in Perth on 16–17 July 2024.

To be opened by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Emergency Services (and a variety of other portfolios), Jodie Hanns MLA, this conference will deliver two days of detailed discussion about everything to do with bushfires, bringing together experts, professionals, researchers, and community leaders to share their insights, ideas, and experiences, and to identify the strategies and systems needed to keep communities safe.

Topics will be presented by some of the leading experts from Australia and

overseas, exploring the problems posed by bushfires and the various mitigation opportunities available to deal with them.

The conference has been sponsored by some of the biggest supporters of the bushfire community, including Firefly (Diamond sponsor), Bushfire Roller Shutters (Emerald) and Bushfire Control (Ruby).

They will be joined by other suppliers in our dedicated tradeshow, where delegates will be able to see what products might be available to help them to reduce fire risk and protect properties in bushfire-prone areas.

If you are involved in the bushfire

community, this conference will give you a voice, and a chance to share your knowledge and experience, to hear from leading researchers, and to prepare for, cope with, and recover from bushfires in Australia.

Network with your peers at the welcome drinks, or grab a coffee as you walk through the tradeshow.

Early bird tickets are available now, so if you book before 9 May you can save $100 off the full price; $150 off if you use a member voucher.

Gain up to 15 continuing professional development (CPD) hours by attending this event, and enhance your knowledge and thinking about bushfires so that you can help to protect your community.

To register, or to find out more, visit the conference website at https://bushfireaus.com.au

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FIRE AUSTRALIA 2024: TWO DAYS OF INSPIRATION

In 2024, Fire Australia conference and tradeshow will head to the relative warmth of the Gold Coast. From the welcome on Tuesday 7 May to the program wrap-up on Thursday 9 May, this event will deliver insights, innovations, and inspiration about the future of fire protection.

substances and synthetic greenhouse gases in fire-extinguishing agents

FPA Australia

From 7 to 9 May 2024, FPA Australia will be making waves on the Gold Coast.

You will not see them from the Esplanade, but just a short walk away, at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Here, some of the leading thinkers and practitioners in fire protection from Australia and overseas will be sharing their insights and outlining the future of fire protection.

Attendees will hear from the following experts and gain a better understanding of the needs facing our sector in a world of ever-increasing fire risk:

„ Charley Fleischmann, Principal Research Engineer with UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute, talking about international trends and technologies

„ Elvira Nigido, Group Sustainability Compliance Manager, A-Gas, discussing the responsible end-of-life management of ozone-depleting

„ Fiona Perrin, Senior Risk Engineer, Zurich Resilience Solutions, reminding you to notify your insurer about any risks to your business

„ David Isaac, Director, Fire and Safety Technologies, Dr Jonathan Barnett, Director, BASIC Expert, and Alan Wilson OAM, Director, Alan Wilson Insurance Brokers, talking about the gap between fire safety engineering and fire protection engineering

„ Chris Groves, Product Manager, Energy Storage Systems, Wärtsilä Energy, and Noah Ryder, Chief Operating Officer, Fire and Risk Alliance, LLC, talking about energy storage systems and battery safety

„ Mark Potter, President, FPA Australia, exploring what may be next with new building contents, lithium-ion technology, and hydrogen fuel

„ Professor Arnold Dix, barrister, scientist, and Professor of Engineering, discussing the Silkyara–Barkot Tunnel Collapse—the disaster with a silver lining.

The event will commence on the night of Tuesday 7 May with a welcome reception, followed by two days of in-depth discussion and professional development.

As always, the Wednesday night will see the Gala and Awards Dinner being held, where we will recognise the best in the industry and raise much-needed funds for the FPA Australia Scholarship in support of the Fiona Wood Foundation.

This year’s scholarship recipient, Perth-based surgeon Angus Barber, is already working on groundbreaking research to support the recovery of people suffering from burns—we cannot wait to see what innovations the generosity of our delegates will fund in the future.

Fire Australia 2024 will continue to be the biggest fire protection conference and tradeshow in the southern hemisphere, and we look forward to welcoming delegates at the opening event.

Make sure you register today at www.fireaustralia.com.au/registration, and be part of this marquee event

PAUL WATERHOUSE

PHOTO: FPA AUSTRALIA

See demonstrations of products and systems and learn how to deliver better fire protection.

Leading speakers from Australia and overseas will share their expertise with delegates.

Come to the Fire Australia Gala and Awards Dinner to celebrate the best in the industry and raise funds for the Fiona Wood Foundation.

A variety of topics covering the breadth of the fire protection sector will inform and inspire.

PHOTOS: FPA AUSTRALIA

FIRE AUSTRALIA 2024: THE FIRE INNOVATIONS OF THE FUTURE IN THE TRADESHOW HALL

Entering the Fire Australia 2024 Tradeshow Hall will reveal an array of the latest innovations and technologies designed to keep people safe.

Free for those who register, the tradeshow allows attendees to meet with some of the leading suppliers and service providers all together under one roof.

Learn how to use new services and products to keep your clients safe and to help your business.

WA LARGE AIR TANKER CONTRACT EXTENDED FOR AUTUMN

WA responded to increased bushfire risk by extending aerial firefighting contracts beyond the summer season.

In March, DFES extended its contract for a Large Air Tanker in response to the increased risk of fire identified for WA, reflected in the AFAC Seasonal Bushfire Outlook Autumn 2024.

BRANDON HUTCHINSON

AFAC

Summer bushfire conditions extended into autumn for parts of WA, and authorities prepared accordingly.

AFAC Seasonal Bushfire Outlook

Autumn 2024 identified that hot, dry, and windy conditions were expected to continue during the March–May outlook period for regions in WA and NT.

WA’s South West Land Division experienced its second hottest year on record in 2023, meaning a large part of the state entered autumn with its landscape drier than usual. This was exacerbated by below-average soil moisture in large parts of coastal and southern WA.

While the risk was normal for central and northern WA, part of the West Kimberley began autumn drier than usual, impacting opportunities for prescribed burning operations.

Taking these conditions into consideration, the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) extended the contract for the WA Large Air Tanker (LAT) to 27 March 2024, and retained Helitak and Black Hawk helicopter capability into April 2024.

The aircraft had also been brought in ahead of schedule to begin operations early, making it a long bushfire season:

„ The WA LAT was originally due to commence on 1 December but was brought forward to 4 November.

„ Two Black Hawk helicopters based in Serpentine and two Helitaks based in Gingin were activated almost three weeks ahead of schedule.

„ Helitaks in Busselton were activated a month early.

The extended capability reflects a highly active bushfire season in the west, with contracted LATs clocking 74 hours flown and dropping 856,372

litres of water and retardant.

For the DFES aerial fleet as whole, at the start of March 2024 it had flown more than 1,640 hours, responded to 152 incidents, and dropped more than 12 million litres of water and retardant on firegrounds. More than 30 bushfires have hit the emergency warning level since October, with metropolitan areas such as Bibra Lake, Piara Waters, Cockburn, and Wanneroo all included. DFES also ensured communities on the ground were prepared for fire risk in autumn by extending the ‘Got 15 minutes to burn?’ advertising campaign. The campaign makes home bushfire plans more accessible through the My Bushfire Plan website and app. Close to 20,000 people now have a bushfire plan, with more than 39,000 in progress.

DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm paid tribute to the dedicated work of the thousands of career firefighters and volunteers who have helped keep

PHOTO: DFES

the state safe this summer, during the extended period of fire risk.

“It has been a long, challenging season with firefighters responding to more than 3,700 bushfires since October,” he said.

Authorities in WA will continue to monitor local bushfire conditions closely and manage risks into autumn.

National look at fire risk this autumn

When AFAC Seasonal Bushfire Outlook Autumn 2024 was released on 1 March 2024, AFAC CEO Rob Webb

highlighted residual risk at the turn of the season.

“The end of summer does not signal the end of bushfire risk for Australia. Fire authorities may also begin to undertake prescribed burning during autumn, and communities should stay informed to avoid the impacts of smoke exposure,”

Mr Webb said.

Nationally, summer rainfall was above average for most of the country, except for parts of far western and south-western WA, and summer temperatures were generally average

to warmer than average for most of the country.

This is expected to continue into autumn, with maximum and minimum temperatures very likely to be above median across almost all of Australia.

Rainfall during autumn is likely to be below median across much of northern, eastern, and south-western Australia, but elsewhere there is no significant shift towards being wetter or drier than average.

While the Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for autumn 2024 identifies an increased risk of fire for areas of Central Australia and southern WA, all communities across Australia are urged to be alert to bushfire and to monitor local conditions, including planned burn operations throughout autumn.

“No matter where you are in Australia, you can stay safer and support your local fire agency by staying alert this season,”

Mr Webb said.

The Seasonal Bushfire Outlook is developed quarterly by AFAC, the Bureau of Meteorology and fire authorities in each Australian state and territory. The Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Winter 2024 is scheduled for release by the end of May.

: areas are based on the interim biogeographic regionalisation for Australia and other geographical features.

Above: Seasonal Bushfire Outlook Autumn 2024

Left: DFES Commissioner, Darren Klemm and Hon Stephen Dawson MLC.

PLANNING FOR WILDFIRES

Wildfires have historical and cultural significance in Australia, inspiring stories, poetry, and artwork for more than 60,000 years. But the ever-present threat they represent also poses challenges, and inspires innovative solutions to protect people, places, and property.

to fit-for-purpose urban planning and building designs.

AUSTRALIA

Research from Natural Hazards Research Australia (NHRA) suggests the incidence and severity of bushfires are getting worse, and the encroachment of urbanisation on rural areas creates a higher risk of property damage and injury to the population.

Yet, an encyclopaedic collection of knowledge of bushfire behaviour and mitigation, developed over years of researching, tracking, and fighting such natural disasters, is giving practitioners the tools they need to put up a viable defence against the loss of homes and communities.

While backburning and vegetation management have helped to reduce fuel loads and fire spread, the design of houses and measures to reduce fuel in close proximity to them are powerful and effective tools for increasing resilience in the face of embers, extreme heat, and direct flame contact.

For decades, the planning, design, and fire protection sectors have developed adaptive planning and building strategies to address the danger of bushfires for rural and semi-rural communities. A growing number of professionals is now advising homeowners about bushfires and the design features aimed to reduce risks associated with them.

A history of innovation

A long and intricate history of bushfires (or wildfires, as they are known overseas) led Australia to become a leader in mitigation and risk reduction techniques. These range from common fuel reduction strategies to a more intricate and sophisticated legislative framework specifying what can be built and where, and ultimately leading

These techniques have been developed in response to the significant risk to life, property, and the environment.

The Australian bush is resilient, and has witnessed thousands of bushfires over the millennia, leading to the evolution of plant and animal life that has adapted and needs fire to thrive. Such a landscape requires that humans also adapt and learn to live with fire.

But the Australian built environment and population are not as adaptive as they need to be, evident from major conflagrations noted in media around the world, that killed people, caused billions of dollars in damage, and resulted in the destruction of communities.

Descriptions of such events are evocative—Ash Wednesday, Black Friday, Black Summer—and the response to them has required Australian ingenuity and innovation.

Learning from disaster

Australian governments and academia have invested heavily in research and development into bushfires. Through the NHRA, and its predecessor the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre, millions have been spent on understanding the causes and nature of bushfires.

This research has been turned into cutting edge technologies that can identify risks, predict bushfire behaviour, and explain the ways that bushfires can influence local weather. We have developed better protective equipment, innovative firefighting techniques, and tools that help us to predict and manage risks.

This knowledge has undoubtedly improved our capacity to fight bushfires and to keep people safe.

But it has also helped to enhance the skills and knowledge of firefighters

confronted by wildfires in other regions, and supported Australian firefighters being deployed internationally.

Taking the principle that prevention is better than the cure, fire authorities across Australia work tirelessly to reduce fire loads and minimise risk during the off-season. However, the planning and building control sectors have a vital role to play, ensuring that vulnerable communities are not exposed to the bushfire risks, people are out of harm’s way, and those buildings most at risk are best designed to mitigate it.

Having a BAL

One strategy for minimising risk that is unique to Australia is the prescribed construction standard known as Bushfire Attack Level (BAL). A BAL rating measures the risk of a home to exposure to ember attack, radiant heat, or flame contact, and determines construction requirements that improve a building’s resilience. It also informs the planning measures that can be applied to the site to mitigate bushfire risks.

The BAL rating is determined through a site assessment and identification of the bushfire risks to the building. The methodology is outlined in the Australian standard AS 3959 Construction of buildings in bushfire‑prone areas, and BALs identified are applicable to the NASH Standard for Steel Framed Construction in Bushfire Areas.

There are six BAL levels:

„ BAL—Low means there is a low risk of fire

„ BAL—12.5 means the risk is primarily from potential embers

„ BAL—19 represents a moderate risk, particularly from embers and burning debris

„ BAL—29 represents a high risk, particularly from embers, debris, and heat

PHOTO: ISTOCK

MARIA KORNAKOVA FPA

„ BAL—40 indicates a very high risk, with buildings likely to be impacted by embers, debris, heat, and potentially flames

„ BAL—FZ (flame zone) indicates there is extreme risk, with buildings likely to be directly exposed to the flames of a potential fire front.

As noted above, each of these ratings has a different risk profile and design and construction requirements, outlined in two Australian standards, which are referred to in the National Construction Code (NCC).

The requirements cover not only materials and orientation, but also sealing, sarking, the use of non-combustible features, and design. In fact, if built to the AS 3959 or NASH standard, houses often achieve additional features such as energy efficiency.

While we are constructing new houses to new standards, one of the main challenges that remains for Australia and rest of the world is how to deal with existing housing stock, and what effective and affordable ways exist to upgrade it. Owners of such premises are able to learn from standards to take some steps towards making their own homes more resilient, such as covering potential points of ember entry, and clearing space around the house to remove fuel sources.

An army of accredited advisors

The introduction of the BAL system and design requirements resulted in the development and growth

of an industry of experienced and qualified consultants. Mostly accredited through FPA Australia’s Bushfire Planning and Design (BPAD) scheme, these practitioners focus on how homeowners can best protect themselves from a wall of fire.

BPAD practitioners can advise on everything from the simplest BAL construction standard for the building, to complex performance solutions that minimise risks to properties.

This coterie of experts is qualified, experienced, and subject both to continuing professional development (CPD) requirements and possible audits.

BPAD practitioners are vetted by their peers and are held accountable for the advice they give.

The scheme gives consumers and the fire brigades more confidence about the quality of the advice they offer and the protection that it will deliver.

Where to next?

The science of bushfires is constantly throwing up new ideas and innovations to provide better safety and more peace of mind.

One area that will almost certainly deliver dividends is the development of bushfire sprinklers. This work, being spearheaded by the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition Australia (HFSCA), is creating new solutions to protect housing.

The idea is that a sprinkler system, attached to a water source, will be able to put out falling embers, thus helping to prevent a fire from taking hold.

Initial testing has been positive, but

we still have some way to go before this becomes a standard feature in bushfire-prone housing.

Owners are the authors of their own destiny

The most important contributor to bushfire safety remains the owner/ occupier. These are the people who can clear foliage, remove fuel, and generally mitigate future risks.

Unfortunately, while the message is slowly getting through, many still do not anticipate and prepare for the threat of bushfire. Moreover, when a house is built to a BAL standard, not many understand how to maintain it to ensure that it stays protected, and such information is also not legally required to be provided to new owners when a house is sold.

The brigades, governments, and the industry will continue to encourage greater action, but they can only do so much. As with most things in life, the buck stops with the individual, and bushfire prevention will always rely upon everyone taking responsibility for their own circumstances.

All the rules in the world are nothing compared to a motivated homeowner, and therefore, it is imperative to provide education to communities and provide incentives to maintain the integrity of houses.

Dr Maria Kornakova gave a presentation titled ‘Planning for Wildfires—Australian Planning and Building Practices’ to the Fire Behaviour and Fuels Conference in Tralee, Ireland on Tuesday, 16 April 2024.

The 2024 National Memorial Service marks a decade of the annual commemoration of fire and emergency personnel.

A DECADE OF REMEMBRANCE AND RECOGNITION: NATIONAL MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICE PERSONNEL

AFAC, the Australian and New Zealand National Council for Fire and Emergency Services, will hold the annual memorial service to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who have died in the line of duty.

ALANA BEITZ AFAC

The National Memorial Service is timed to coincide each year with St Florian’s Day (May 4), the Patron Saint of Firefighters.

Since 2015, AFAC has held the service in Canberra on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin. 2024 will mark the tenth year the service has been observed.

The annual commemoration is held at the National Emergency Services Memorial, located on the northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin and at the southern end of ANZAC Parade in Canberra. The National Emergency Services Memorial was unveiled by the

then Australian Prime Minister, the Hon. John Howard, in 2004.

In 2018, the Memorial Wall was added to the site and unveiled by the Hon. Angus Taylor, MP. The Memorial Wall displays the names of emergency services personnel who have died in the line of duty, and honours their commitment to keeping our communities safe.

The Memorial Wall was jointly funded by the Commonwealth of Australia and AFAC, and is engraved with the names of more than 620 personnel who have lost their lives since records began. A digital version of the Honour Roll is available online.

During the service, families of those who have died in the line of duty will be presented with an AFAC

Memorial Medallion, and names will be added to the Memorial Wall, making a permanent reminder of those who have lost their lives while protecting their community.

This year, the National Memorial Service will be held at 8.45 am on 2 May 2024 at the National Emergency Services Memorial at Rond Terrace in Parkes, ACT. It is a free event, open to all AFAC members and the general public who wish to pay their respects. Those who are unable to attend in person can join the service via the livestream.

For more information about attending in person or online, or to view the Honour Roll, visit memorial.afac.com.au

PHOTO: NSW RFS

CSV is starting to use residential sprinklers to mitigate the fire risk of cladding in some buildings.

FIRE SYSTEMS DEPLOYED TO ADDRESS THE CLADDING CHALLENGE

Fire protection professionals have an increasingly important role to play in the work of Cladding Safety Victoria.

JOHN KENT

Cladding Safety Victoria

Most building industry professionals would be aware of Cladding Safety Victoria’s (CSV’s) work to fund the removal and replacement of combustible cladding on the external walls of privately owned apartment buildings and a range of government buildings such as schools and hospitals.

The riskiest buildings have been swiftly addressed, with combustible cladding now removed from more than 450 public and private buildings.

However, CSV’s approach to mitigating the chance of fire spread is evolving, and we are now focusing on other interventions, especially for lower risk buildings.

The introduction or upgrade of sprinkler systems will be a key element of this strategy.

In a future article, CSV will share the science and statistical analysis that underpins the work it has done with RMIT University, CSIRO’s Data61 team, and a range of other experts on the

efficacy of sprinklers in reducing the risk to life from cladding fires.

But in simple terms, CSV’s message is that sprinklers make a huge difference.

Our process of helping apartment owners involves assessment of risks, and the development of an option to address them that minimises the cost and disruption to owners.

As part of this, the remediation works proposals being developed increasingly include either the introduction of sprinklers or the extension of existing systems to balconies.

According to CSV’s Executive Director, Program Delivery, Ashley Hunt, sprinkler-based works are currently underway on 10 buildings and many more will follow.

“Our approach has always been one of partnership. The work we do with FPA Australia’s members will be critical to the success of our program.”

Ashley Hunt

These systems can either be in line with Australian Standards AS 2118.1 or AS 2118.4, or with FPA Australia’s Technical Specifications FPAA101D or FPAA101H. The first design for a FPAA101H system has recently been received.

“More than 450 cladding remediation projects in Victoria have been completed to date and hundreds more buildings have been discharged with nothing further required,” Mr Hunt said.

“I expect sprinklers to be part of the remediation proposal on many of the remaining buildings CSV is working on.

“Our approach has always been one of partnership. The work we do with FPA Australia’s members will be critical to the success of our program.”

PHOTO: SPECIALISED FIRE PROTECTION

SAFETY ENGINEERING FOR BUILDINGS WITH EVS AND EV CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE

Currently, there is a distinct lack of regulatory guidance in the National Construction Code for EVs and, consequently, how to manage fire safety of these vehicles and their associated charging infrastructure can be quite open to interpretation.

MATT BOOTH

Warringtonfire* Australia, a Jensen

Hughes Company

There is no doubt the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is well underway.

Australians are purchasing more EVs than ever, according to WhichCar, with a record 8,124 registrations in May 2023, an increase of 778.3% compared to the previous year.

Whether due to people’s own sustainability motives, consumer incentives, or shifting legislation and regulation, the number of EVs is growing rapidly across Australia.

This requires significant charging infrastructure, with NSW alone looking to install 30,000 EV chargers across the state by 2026—a sizeable increase from the estimated 1,000 chargers reportedly available at the start of 2023. This is backed by the removal of stamp duty from EVs priced below $78,000, and $3,000 rebates for EVs priced below $68,750.

In a similar vein, the ACT Government has adopted a new car sales target for zero emission vehicles of 80–90% by 2030.

EV charging stations are proliferating, but is fire protection

Under its Zero Emissions Vehicle Strategy 2022– 2030, it is offering a $2,000 incentive to install charging infrastructure in common areas of multiunit buildings.

However, policies such as these bring about new challenges for all stakeholders involved in developing, owning, managing, and certifying buildings with EV infrastructure. If a property is going to install charging points and have EVs parked on the premises, it is critical that risk assessments are carried out, and that owners and managers understand the potential hazards EVs can pose for people and buildings.

Without this process, plans may not be accepted by certifiers and fire brigades, meaning developers and contractors might have to go back to the drawing board—losing time and increasing costs as a result.

Lack of guidance from the NCC

With so many converging factors, there is likely to be a substantial uptake in EVs and their associated charging infrastructure in coming years.

However, given the relative newness of EVs, there remains little guidance about

fire safety engineering best practice for our carpark designs.

Under the National Construction Code (NCC), there is a lack of regulatory detail, which makes it distinctly difficult for developers, contractors, and other stakeholders to assess the risks of EVs and charging infrastructure in a uniform way.

Currently, AFAC deems EVs as ‘special hazards’ under the NCC and recommend that they be addressed under clauses E1D17 and E2D21.

However, these special hazards clauses can be quite open to interpretation.

Specifically, clause E1D17 says:

“Suitable additional provision must be made if special problems of fighting fire could arise because of—

a. the nature or quantity of materials stored, displayed or used in a building or on the allotment; or

b. the location of the building in relation to a water supply for fire-fighting purposes.”

Meanwhile, E2D21 states: Additional smoke hazard management measures may be necessary due to the—

a. special characteristics of the building; or

b. special function or use of the building; or

c. special type or quantity of materials stored, displayed or used in a building; or

d. special mix of classifications within a building or fire compartment, which are not addressed in E2D4 to E2D20.”

Given the ambiguous wording, it is easy to see how many may be confused about how to satisfy these clauses.

AFAC guidance

Nevertheless, the requirements set out in the clauses must be met. To this end, AFAC has provided some additional guidance.

PHOTO: PIXABAY

keeping up?

It advocates for appropriate engagement, as early in the design phase as possible, with the relevant fire authorities. Amongst the other points that can be found in its EV and EV charging equipment procedural position document, the body also asks stakeholders to consider the following:

„ vehicle separation with respect to directional ‘jet flames’ from EV fires

„ suitability of fire safety systems, such as smoke hazard management systems, and their location in relation to the risk,

„ EV charging station locations and their proximity to other vehicles

„ establishing the appropriate fire resistance of building materials. Clearly, there are many hazards to consider, along with the existing hazards of other types of vehicles. However, two are unique to EVs and have the potential to cause significant damage to buildings and injury to people:

„ directional jet flaming

„ vapour clouds filled with combustible gas, which can be emitted and ignite should an EV start to malfunction and enter ‘thermal runaway’—where the battery’s lithium-ion cell begins to uncontrollably self-heat. These hazards, and the parameters for them to occur, have not been well researched and are not completely understood by industry.

Managing the fire safety engineering process

With a range of possible hazards, how can developers and contractors manage the risk assessment process in the right way? What is more, how do they demonstrate to building certifiers that they have put the appropriate fire safety measures in place to mitigate the risks?

The starting point should be to engage all parties involved in designing, installing, or approving the EV charging points and building plans in an initial workshop, to assess the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures.

While Australia’s built environment is expanding, the reality is that many EV charging points will be installed as a retrofit application. Here, stakeholders should:

„ identify the EV and EV charging infrastructure risks

„ look at what potential harm the EV and EV charging infrastructure can cause

„ identify the existing preventative and protective measures

„ review the measures’ effectiveness

„ identify any further measures available

„ evaluate the risks versus cost

„ show a reasoned decision and action after the workshop, to be detailed in a report to the building certifier.

Another factor to consider is whether to seek out experts in fire safety engineering to help guide the process.

Charging ahead to a sustainable, safe EV future

With the EV transition continuing to gather pace, it is imperative that the integration of the supporting infrastructure is managed in the right way. Otherwise, there is a strong risk of planning permission not going through and project delays linked to non-compliance.

*As used herein, the name ‘Warringtonfire’ and its associated IP and branding is used by Warringtonfire Australia Pty Ltd in Australia under licence from Warringtonfire Testing and Certification Limited (based in the UK) for a transitional period following the acquisition of Warringtonfire Australia Pty Limited. Warringtonfire Testing and Certification Limited continues to own the rights to ‘Warringtonfire’ and continues to operate the global ‘Warringtonfire business’ outside of Australia.

PHOTO: PIXABAY

A HISTORY OF FIRE SPRINKLER PROTECTION IN AUSTRALIA

A brief history of automatic fire sprinkler systems appeared in Fire Australia, Issue 3, 2022. This more detailed chronology of the 150-year history of sprinklers looks specifically at the Australian experience and some of the external factors influencing it.

1874 The first automatic sprinkler was produced—a sprinkler head patented by Henry S Parmelee.

1877 The first record of a fire being extinguished by the automatic sprinkler occurred on 12 February 1877, when the property of the American Linen Mills, at Fall River, Massachusetts, was saved from destruction thanks to the operation of the Parmelee sprinkler head.

1883 Sir William Mather, English industrialist, visited Providence, Rhode Island, as a member of the Royal Commission on Technical Education. He bought the rights to Grinnell sprinklers for overseas manufacture and distribution (across the entire eastern hemisphere).

At the same time, Ralph Dowson and John Taylor established the firm of Dowson & Taylor in Bolton, Lancashire, which manufactured all kinds of fire appliances. Their early sprinkler was known as the ‘Simplex’.

1884 CJH Woodbury, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Boston Manufacturers Mutual Insurance Company, performed the first automatic fire sprinkler tests.

1885 John (later Sir John) Wormald, of Mutual Fire Insurance Corporation, Manchester, wrote the first sprinkler installation rules. He later became a director of Mather & Platt (operating as a London-based well regarded salesman).

In the late 19th century, Mather & Platt became a major engineering concern—aside from manufacturing the Grinnell sprinkler and developing the original variable pressure alarm valve, it was the first firm in England to manufacture the original Edison Dynamo.

It also participated in the earliest development of electric railways:

„ In 1885, it supplied plant for the Bessbrook and Newry Railway, which was the first railway in the world to be worked from a current produced entirely by water power.

„ For the City and South London Railway, which was the first electric underground ‘tube’ ever built, Mather & Platt supplied the whole equipment, including generating plant and locomotives.

Working in conjunction with Professor Osborne Reynolds, Mather & Platt also introduced and manufactured the first high-lift turbine pump. Wormald acquired Mather & Platt in the 1980s.

In its heyday, the Mather & Platt Park Works at Newton Heath employed more than 3,500 people working three shifts a day on its 26-acre site. It had its own dedicated bus depot, railway station, rail freight yard, and five canteens catering for the demands of the workforce.

Park Works survived two world wars, the Great Depression, and the recession of the 1970s, only to be felled by the wrecking ball.

John Taylor’s variable pressure arm valve.

Multiple jet sprinkler system.

Sir John Wormald.

PHOTO:

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

1886 The first sprinkler installation in Australia was completed in 1886. Installed in the bedding factory of Laycock, Son & Nettleton, South Melbourne, it used 1884 Grinnell sprinklers and was shipped largely prefabricated from the works of Dowson, Taylor & Co Ltd, Blackfriars Bridge, Manchester.

This installation controlled its first fire on 21 December 1886 (only four years after Grinnell had patented this system in the USA).

The second automatic sprinkler system in Australia was installed in the pattern shop of the Austral Otis Engineering Company in South Melbourne, and was likewise brought out from England prefabricated, ready to erect.

1887 The Factory Improvement Committee of New England Fire Insurance Exchange adopted sprinkler rules.

1888 Wormald sprinkler installation rules were adopted by the Fire Offices’ Committee (FOC) London.

The Dowson & Taylor business merged with the Grinnell Sprinkler department of Mather & Platt, based at the Salford Iron Works, Manchester, to form a private company under the title of Dowson, Taylor & Co Ltd.

This was later integrated into Mather & Platt (Dowson died in India in 1896).

1889 Mather & Platt’s Australasian agents were Russell and Wormald, a partnership, which became the firm of Wormald Brothers Limited in 1911. The Wormald of the partnership, Joseph D Wormald, was the brother of John Wormald of Manchester, England (the original sprinkler rules author).

In 1900, Joseph Wormald took another brother, Harry Wormald, into the partnership—thus the original name ‘Wormald Brothers’.

Also in 1889, the first sprinkler system was installed in New Zealand at the Northern Roller Milling Co Ltd, and dealt with many fires.

1897 The real worth of automatic fire sprinklers was graphically illustrated for the public when a conflagration occurred in Melbourne on 21 November 1897, destroying almost the whole of the great block facing Flinders Street, between Swanston and Elizabeth streets.

Only the sprinkler-protected building, the Mutual Store, was left standing. This was only the 11th fire in a sprinklered building in Australasia and, despite the fierce attack to which the building was subjected, the damage was settled for just £8,800.

Since the early days of sprinklers, well over 8,000 fires have been recorded in sprinkler-protected buildings have been recorded, mostly in a computer database.

This unique record showed that by the end of 1990, 7,275 fires had been recorded, of which 7,251 (or 99.67%) were controlled by sprinklers.

Claims totalled around $32 million, $2 million of which arose from by 272 exposure fires, while $30 million arose from fires originating within sprinkler-protected buildings.

The average loss per fire was calculated at $4,421, while in 3,095 cases (or 42.54% of all fires) the total fire related damage was so slight that no claim was made. 5,796 (80.6%) of these fires involved two or fewer sprinklers operating.

1902 A patent for glass bulb sprinklers was granted. In the UK, Mather & Platt carried out early development with bulbs obtained from abroad, but from 1907 bulbs for experimental work were produced in England. Experimental bulb sprinklers were installed in the aforementioned Park Works in 1913.

Further work resulted in a spherical bulb automatic sprinkler, which was approved by the insurance companies in 1922. The Quartzoid bulb automatic sprinkler was approved three years later. These barrel-shaped glass bulbs were of the cast, or ‘blown’ type, while their American counterparts were produced from precision glass tube.

1906 External drenchers (or ‘wall wetting’) were becoming popular— commonplace today and very much in vogue throughout the 20th century. Advertisements concerning successful drencher operations in Australia date back to at least 1906.

An earlier edition of the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook observed that ‘the use of a water curtain on the outside wall of a building probably ante-dates automatic sprinklers’, but this was not the case in Australia and New Zealand.

The first manually operated drencher system was installed in the Antipodes in 1894 to protect a building from possible exposure fires in adjoining unprotected buildings, approximately eight years after the first automatic sprinkler system was commissioned.

1920s By the 1920s, consideration was being given to the use of sealed sprinkler heads to provide external protection over doorways, windows, and along the eaves and/or roofs of sprinkler-protected buildings, with the first fire involving external protection of this kind recorded in 1923.

Multiple-jet control (MJC) systems were mentioned in the FOC Rules (Foreign) in 1924 and introduced into Australia in 1925. They were specifically designed for drying rooms in tanneries, in order to give a pattern of water distribution at ceiling level, which would penetrate hides hanging vertically. They were also used in the preparation rooms of weaving mills, and in the hanging rooms of linoleum factories.

From the outset, this system used a fusible control of the glass bulb type, with water being distributed through up to eight open jets on operation of the control.

The first fire involving operation of MJCs occurred in a tannery in 1931, but today MJCs find widest application in lift motor rooms and the like, where they serve as ‘dry’ alarms.

The first dry pipe automatic sprinkler system in Australia was installed during 1925.

1928

Readers will be familiar with the Mulsifyre System, which uses water alone to extinguish flammable liquid fires. The first such system installed in Australia was commissioned in 1928.

1930s and beyond

Other significant developments between the 1930s and the 1980s were summarised in the Fire Australia article mentioned at the beginning of this review.

Of note, however, is the first Australian sprinkler assembly. This was undertaken by the Central Automatic Sprinkler Company in 1950, and was based on the American Central design Type A. It was a soldered link variant and was FOC-approved from about the mid-1960s.

Later, Messrs Fire Control (Padde Manufacturing) progressively manufactured a range of soldered and bulb-type sprinklers in its Sydney works.

30 YEARS OF AFAC CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION

With multiple conference streams, an expansive exhibition, networking events and professional development opportunities, AFAC24 will again bring the diversity of the emergency management sector together.

AFAC24 powered by INTERSCHUTZ returns to Sydney on 3–6 September 2024. This year marks 30 years of the event, and an opportunity to celebrate its continued growth to become Australasia’s premier emergency management conference and exhibition.

The AFAC powered by INTERSCHUTZ Conference brings a broad spectrum of emergency management practitioners together to learn and share experiences. Last year, the conference and exhibition attracted record attendance of more than 3,500 emergency management personnel to Brisbane, and AFAC24 looks forward to welcoming a similar number of attendees when the event is hosted at the ICC Sydney.

Registrations are now open for the event, offered at an early bird rate until 30 June. Secure your place to be part of this special 30-year anniversary offering of the AFAC Conference and Exhibition.

While we will mark the history of the event over three decades, AFAC24 is very much taking a future focus. Presentations and discussions will be united by the theme ‘Embracing innovation and disruption: designing the future for our sector’.

The conference theme recognises the immediate need for fire and emergency services to adapt to be prepared for the future. Resource constraints, declining volunteer numbers, and a changing climate drive the need for organisations to think differently and to look for new solutions, where creating an inclusive

culture that encourages new ideas and diversity of thought is key. AFAC24 will explore how we can foster new thinking to ensure we are prepared for the challenges we face now, and into the future.

Showcasing the latest research and practice across the sector, AFAC24 will feature the multi-streamed AFAC Conference, and will again incorporate the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference (ADRC) and the Institution of Fire Engineers (Australia) National Conference. Delegates can also customise their conference experience by participating in the Research and Innovation Day, and workshops and forums offered through the Professional Development Program.

Expansive and exciting: Don’t miss the AFAC24 Exhibition

The AFAC24 Exhibition is the must-attend event for emergency

management professionals who are sourcing equipment and services for their agencies.

Interest is building for exhibitor stalls, and the space will be packed with state-of-the-art equipment, cutting-edge technology, and leading service providers. The AFAC24 Exhibition is a one-stop-shop for decision-makers to connect with exhibitors, and discuss and demonstrate the latest technology and innovation.

After a highly successful debut in 2023, Resilience Lane will once again bring the resilience community together to learn, share, and network within the AFAC24 Exhibition. Resilience Lane will include up to 16 exhibitors, providing a space where not-for-profit and community-focused organisations can showcase their work and services that strengthen community resilience.

The AFAC24 Exhibition will also include the Demonstration Zone, which

A DECADE OF GROWTH: AFAC CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION IN NUMBERS

ALANA BEITZ

AFAC

PHOTO: AFAC

will feature the latest equipment, technology, and best practices; the Solutions Theatre with its program of practical presentations aimed at helping those at the frontline of emergency management; and the AIDR Knowledge Centre, which brings together research findings, including the popular poster displays.

AFAC24 also acknowledges the 2024 host agencies that make this

year’s event possible: ACT Emergency Services Agency, ACT Parks and Conservation, Fire and Rescue NSW, Forestry Corporation of NSW, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW State Emergency Service, and Surf Life Saving NSW.

We look forward to welcoming practitioners from the emergency management sector to AFAC24

WHAT CONFERENCE DELEGATES SAY ABOUT THE EVENT

“I really enjoyed the conference. The diversity of the program was excellent, so much to see and hear. Thank you, I hope to be back.”

“I thought the idea of having the AFAC, International Fire Engineers and ADRC conferences together was very innovative and made for a much broader program.”

on 3–6 September in Sydney to connect with each other, celebrate knowledge and achievements, and continue to grow this important event for the sector.

More information, including registration options, is available at: www.afacconference.com.au

“It was fantastic having the disaster resilience conference running concurrently. There is so much value in being able to move between both conferences. It was really good to see so many people with the white lanyard [AFAC conference delegates] attending sessions in the resilience conference. I don’t think that many of those staff

would have had time to attend both if they were on at different times.”

“I found this event very informative, and the information provided was up-to-date, relevant and provided an opening for discussion about our own policies and procedures.”

SHARE INSIGHTS THIS MAY AT THE LESSONS MANAGEMENT FORUM

The AFAC Lessons Management Forum returns to Adelaide on 28–30 May 2024, bringing in delegates from across the sector to discuss the future of lessons management.

BRANDON HUTCHINSON

AFAC

Building upon the foundations of previous years, the 2024 forum is an opportunity to continue embedding and expanding lessons management as a key component of developing a learning culture in the emergency management sector.

This year, participants will explore a range of presentations and workshops, and connect with peers across various jurisdictions and organisations.

Lessons will be shared with valuable and transferable insights from an operational context, and outcomes from debriefs and significant events. The forum will explore a

range of approaches taken by leading organisations, showcasing the development of frameworks, governance, and processes.

Previous presenters at the Lessons Management Forum have represented health, defence, and fire and emergency service agencies— expanding the possibility for learning across practices and sectors.

Face-to-face networking opportunities, including an official networking event on the first night, will help to expand the growing community of lessons management practitioners. Although new members are encouraged to join in person, a livestream of the event will be made available for those unable to make it to Adelaide.

Since 2022, the Lessons Management Forum has been delivered as a hybrid event—offering both in-person and online attendance to delegates. This flexible delivery is key to the success and popularity of the event, as noted by last year’s attendees:

“The online attendance option was great—without this I wouldn’t have been able to participate at all. A key outcome of conferences is connecting and building your network—the online option still enabled me to do this by reaching out to new contacts after they had presented, via email, LinkedIn, etc.”

PHOTO: AFAC

“Excellent forum with useful, relevant information and learning for all participants—no matter where they are from or what agency they represent.”

“A great opportunity for gaining insights from experienced practitioners and information sharing with peers from different environments.”

Lessons Management Award 2024

During the Lessons Management Forum, the 2024 winner of the Lessons Management Award will be announced.

The successful candidate will provide a presentation of their winning submission during the event, and have their project featured on the AFAC website.

Increasing the adoption of good practices

AFAC and its member agencies recognise the continued need to develop lessons management capability across the fire and emergency services in Australia. The AFAC Knowledge, Innovation and Research Utilisation Network develops and advocates approaches that support the development and sharing of good practice in knowledge management, lessons management, innovation, and cultural practices that support our business at all levels.

The Lessons Management Forum provides an opportunity for lessons management practitioners, those interested in this area, and those new to the area to share good practice, learnings, and innovations.

If this sounds like you, please register to be part of the event and help us to continue the development of a lessons management culture for the emergency management sector.

The Lessons Management Forum program offers a diversity of thought and experience across sectors across two days.

The event continues on 30 May with workshop events. For full program details and registration options, visit the Lessons Management Forum webpage: www.aidr.org.au/events/44125

DAY 1: 28 MAY 2024

10.00am Welcome and opening Welcome to Country

10.15am Opening remarks

10.30am Keynote

Mike Icardi, US FEMA

DAY 2: 29 MAY 2024

9.30am Welcome and Day 1 recap

9.45am Keynote

Charles White, CKO Deep Space Engineering Technology

SESSION #1 ORGANISATIONAL LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT SESSION #4 REVIEWS AND REFLECTIONS

11.45am Lesson on lessons – a unique view of continuous improvement by Queensland’s Inspector-General of Emergency Management

Alistair Dawson APM, Office of the Inspector-General of Emergency Management

12.15am Lessons learners as learners in lessons – a lessons occupational development continuum

Wayne Snell, Australian Civil-Military Centre

12.45am Status quo is not an option

Dorothea Huber and Mark Semmler, Australian Maritime Safety Authority

SESSION #2 NEW TECHNOLOGY

2.00pm The South Australian State Emergency Service’s new Lessons Management WebEOC Board and the potential application of artificial intelligence

Diana Macmullin and Sara Pulford, SA SES

2.30pm Empowering emergency response: harnessing Microsoft 365 Power Platform for enhanced lessons management

Benjamin Hebart, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, South Australia

SESSION #3 LESSONS MANAGEMENT AWARD

3.30pm Lessons Management Award announced, including a presentation from the winner on the award topic

11.30am Community-led post-bushfire learning review

Adriana Keating, Fire to Flourish

10.00am Reflections on a year of embedding real-time reflection and learning in biosecurity responses

Bryar Clayton, Ministry for Primary Industries

SESSION #5 CAPABILITY

10.30am Building evaluation capability the key to lessons management

Cameron Scott, National Broadband Network

10.00am The road from lessons not learned to learning from experience

Mark Cuthbert (Australian CivilMilitary Centre)

VOLS ON HOLS PROGRAM BOOSTS NUMBERS FOR A BUSY SUMMER

The inaugural Vols on Hols program started this summer, allowing CFA members on holiday in regional areas to volunteer to support local brigades. The initiative was a great success, with 21 CFA members registering and participating in Mallacoota.

Vols on Hols is a pilot program trialled in Mallacoota in far east Gippsland. The aim is to bolster Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteer numbers for the region over the busy summer period in Victoria.

CFA South East Region Deputy Chief Officer (DCO) Trevor Owen said many people return to the region with family and friends as an annual tradition at the same time every year, some spanning decades.

“CFA members are among the many visitors to Mallacoota each year and we are seeking their assistance while enjoying their stay,” DCO Owen said.

“Because of Mallacoota’s isolation and the increased risk over the summer period, we’re interested in CFA

volunteers who can support members of the Mallacoota Fire Brigade. We completely understand that volunteers are on holidays to spend valuable time with their families, fishing, boating, or participating in other recreational activities, but we also know that some members may be willing and able to assist in the event of emergency.”

The program was launched in November last year with Mallacoota as the trial site. The population of the remote coastal town can swell by up to 10,000 visitors during peak season, and the area was severely impacted during the 2019–20 bushfire season.

Mallacoota Captain Tracey Johnston said she welcomed the pilot program

in Mallacoota to bolster the available resources of the brigade, and was grateful for the participation of 21 visiting volunteers over summer.

“We know that visiting CFA members want to help during an emergency, and we welcome their skills to assist when they are available. The more hands, the better result all round,” Captain Johnston said.

Warragul Fire Brigade member Danielle Watkins was one of the volunteers who happened to be holidaying in Mallacoota this summer and decided to put her name down for the program.

“It was a bit of a fluke actually. We don’t normally go to Mallacoota on

PHOTO: CFA

Mallacoota Captain Tracey Johnston with Vols on Hols participant Danielle Watkins.

holidays, but my husband suggested it and I said ‘yep, let’s go to Mallacoota’,” Ms Watkins said.

“I happened to be doing a training program with Tracey [Johnston] at the time. I mentioned to her that I was coming down to Mallacoota and she said ‘bring your gear!’”

Once in Mallacoota, Ms Watkins toured the local station and attended an induction. She also joined the brigade for a training session, which she enjoyed.

Ms Watkins was full of praise and enthusiasm for Vols on Hols and spoke highly of the opportunity to learn from different brigades.

“I like seeing other people’s equipment and learning about the different appliances. Just chatting to different people about their experiences broadens your understanding of CFA and firefighting more generally,” she said.

“Just chatting to different people about their experiences broadens your understanding of CFA and firefighting more generally.”

Danielle Watkins

“I was free to turn out when I was available and not to turn out when I wasn’t. If it was a job that I was comfortable attending, I was welcome to attend. If it was a job like a traumatic motor vehicle accident, that I was not comfortable attending, I was not required to attend.”

The Vols on Hols pilot program is designed for operational responders and members who have skills in community education and engagement. Interested members are requested to provide an expression of interest. The application is then reviewed, and the member is sent a welcome letter and contacted by the Brigade Captain who informs the visiting member of the next steps to introduce and induct them into the brigade.

For more information about Vols on Hols, contact volsonhols.d11@cfa.vic.gov.au

Above: South East Region DCO Trevor Owen and Mallacoota Captain Tracey Johnston.

Above left: Volunteer Danielle Watkins spending quality time with Mallacoota Brigade’s Christmas elf.

PHOTO: CFA PHOTO: CFA

SECURING THE FUTURE: STANDARDS

AUSTRALIA’S COMMITMENT TO SAFETY IN THE GROWING HYDROGEN SECTOR

Amidst Australia’s pursuit of enhanced economic, environmental, and fuel security, the hydrogen industry is witnessing remarkable expansion. With the National Hydrogen Strategy proposing Australia become a key global player in hydrogen by 2030, potentially yielding $50 billion in exports by 2050, safety remains an important consideration.

SCOTT BROWNLAW STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

As the cornerstone of progress in any emerging field, standards are indispensable for fostering safety and public confidence.

Standards Australia’s ME-093

Hydrogen Technologies committee, a mirror committee to ISO/TC 197 and IEC TC 105, spearheads the review and adoption of vital ISO and IEC standards.

The committee identified a critical need for guidance on hydrogen storage and handling for Australia, resulting in the publication of the Technical Specification SA TS 5359, which outlines recommended requirements for safe management of hydrogen projects. The document can be further built on based on community input.

Safety at the core

Several aspects of safety must be considered in the storage and handling of hydrogen. For instance, ME-093’s Pipelines and gas distribution networks working group focuses on ensuring safety from production to the gas meter, including aspects like leak detection and gas quality.

In 2023, SA HB 225:2023 was published. This is a guideline for blending hydrogen into pipelines and

gas distribution networks to support entities in ensuring safety in projects, such as natural gas projects.

Furthermore, SA TS 5359 outlines critical measures to mitigate fire risks associated with the storage and handling of hydrogen. These steps aim to enhance safety protocols and help reduce the potential for fire incidents.

Some of the areas covered are:

„ Fire protection systems principles

Fire protection systems for hydrogen storage must consider the inherent hazards, including adjoining activities and materials, to effectively manage incidents within storage systems, and prevent the involvement of hydrogen in escalated incidents.

The design of these systems should align with the fire emergency strategies of the location, optimising safety during emergencies. In case of a loss of containment, identification and removal or isolation of any ignition sources in areas where hydrogen may accumulate are crucial. Additionally, measures such as prohibiting ignition sources and hot work in defined hazardous areas without proper controls—such as hot work permits and control systems—are essential to prevent fire hazards.

„ Deluge and sprinkler systems

A vital component of fire protection systems for hydrogen storage is the installation of a water spray system, either in the form of sprinklers or

deluge systems, to address potential fire hazards. These systems are designed to deliver a uniform spray pattern over 100% of the topical areas of the containers, providing a cooling effect to minimise further escalation due to catastrophic loss of containment.

„ Firewalls and thermal screens

To further mitigate risks, building firewalls are employed, with the type and dimensions of the barrier determined by conditions at the source of hydrogen and the nature of exposure. Thermal screens may also be utilised to protect installations or personnel from heat radiation during a fire. These screens must be constructed from non-combustible materials and firmly supported to withstand short-duration hydrogen flash fires.

Implementing these measures helps enhance the overall fire protection and prevention strategies for hydrogen storage and handling facilities, helping to improve the safety of personnel and infrastructure in the event of a fire emergency.

„ Commitment to ongoing improvement

As ME-093 gears up for its updated strategy for 2024–26, emphasising safety guidance and risk assessment, Standards Australia is committed to advancing the hydrogen sector.

NATIONAL HYDROGEN TRAINING PACKAGE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

In response to 2019 Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy, AFAC was commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER) and the South Australian Government to develop a nationally consistent hydrogen training framework for first responders.

Phase 1 of the National Hydrogen Training Package project was completed in 2022, and saw the analysis of predeveloped, commercially available hydrogen training modules.

Phase 2 was commissioned by the South Australian Government on behalf of the state, territory, and federal governments. The final report proposed a training model and framework for implementation that would ensure Australia’s emergency first responders are well-equipped for hydrogen-related incidents.

The report emphasised the need for a flexible, adaptive framework developed in collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including emergency response agencies, industry partners, and academic institutions, as well as international partners, such as the European Union.

In response, AFAC, in collaboration with Deakin University, started to develop Australia’s first National Hydrogen Awareness Training Package for first responders in December 2023, an eLearning training module created with the support of a working group of subject matter experts from emergency management, academia, the hydrogen industry, and AFAC representatives.

The training is an interactive, 60-minute module that introduces hydrogen in an interesting and accessible way.

The working group has also created an awareness program and a suite of resources to support face-to-face training.

Piloting of the module with a select group of emergency service personnel was carried out in February 2024,

and the final version was released to agencies from 1 April 2024.

This module represents an important step towards national training about alternative energy technology in the future. As new energy sources are phased in, effective training for first responders is essential to keep communities and emergency service personnel safe.

For further information on the hydrogen project, please contact nicola.laurence@afac.com.au

The National Hydrogen Training Package is an important step toward firefighter safety in the future.

PHOTO: CFA

GLOBAL CONNECTIONS TO ADVANCE FIREFIGHTER SAFETY

With a growing focus on worker occupational health and safety, fire services must provide as safe a work environment as is reasonably practicable for firefighters, while also managing the ever-increasing risks they face in the urban, industrial, rural, and wildland environments.

RUSSELL SHEPHARD, AFSM

AFAC

Throughout their careers, firefighters may be exposed to many hazardous substances, such as smoke, soot, carcinogens, and other by-products of combustion, all of which may be inhaled and/or come into contact with skin.

On-duty firefighters wear complex personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to protect them during specific operations, such as structural firefighting, wildland firefighting, and HAZMAT incidents.

While PPE is designed to protect firefighters, it can generate problems. Heat stress, for example, can have serious physiological consequences for firefighters, and measures must be considered to ensure they can perform their tasks without significant risk to both long- and short-term health.

In June 2022, 25 scientists, including three invited specialists, from eight different countries met at the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France, to finalise their evaluation of the carcinogenicity of occupational exposure as a firefighter.

After thoroughly reviewing the available scientific literature, the World Health Organization (WHO) deemed there was sufficient evidence to classify occupational exposure as a firefighter as carcinogenic to humans and place it in Group 1, considered the highest rating that can be given to an occupational exposure category by WHO.

This is a timely reminder that firefighting can be a dangerous occupation and requires ongoing safety enhancement.

By collaborating with the fire and emergency services industry to push the boundaries with respect to the development of appropriate international PPE standards, there is an opportunity to make significant improvements for the health and safety of firefighters.

In February 2024, I returned from the UK where I attended five days of meetings with ISO Technical Committee (TC) 94 (Personal Safety—Personal Protective Equipment), Standards Committee (SC) 14 (Firefighters’ personal equipment), and their various working groups dedicated to the compatibility of PPE, head protection, general requirements, structural firefighting PPE, and wildland firefighting PPE.

These were valuable conversations that cemented our global concern and cooperation for firefighter safety through standards.

Before embarking on such a long and complex week of meetings, I had the opportunity to attend a particulate and decontamination seminar on 2 February 2024, arranged by PGI Safety Limited and Hunter Apparel Solutions Limited, both major manufacturers of PPE in the UK and globally.

These two companies previously sponsored similar symposiums with the aim of bringing together many key fire service representatives across the UK to share experiences and knowledge of how we can work collectively to

improve firefighter safety through improved PPE and awareness of the difficult issues we all face.

I was fortunate to be asked to be the keynote speaker at this important event, and my presentation focused on a number of key issues, including:

„ AFAC’s collaborative approach to standards and strategic procurement with member agencies

„ how we use standards and what they mean to our industry

„ introduction to relevant PPE standards, identifying 40 related international standards

„ what we are doing to reduce firefighter exposures through improved standards

„ overview of the recently established TC94 SC14 Contaminants Project Group

„ what we can learn and how we can make a difference.

One example of what we are doing is the development of standards.

Standards acknowledge that many different hazards may be encountered when emergency service personnel respond to an incident. Where possible, the level of risk posed is to

PGI Safety Limited and Hunter Apparel Solutions hosted a particulate and decontamination seminar on 2 February 2024.

PHOTO: AFAC

ISO held its TC94 Personal Safety—Personal Protective Equipment meetings in February 2024, in the UK.

be eliminated or at least reduced to an acceptable level.

The guidance given in ISO/ TR 21808:2024 Best practices on the selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to provide protection for firefighters is designed to provide protection for firefighters and indicate how to carry out a risk assessment by acknowledging the various hazards that may be present, the likelihood of firefighters becoming exposed to them, and possible consequences of the exposure if it is not addressed.

Another example relates to the establishment of the new Contaminants Project Group under ISO TC94 SC14.

The project group has developed a technical specification document that provides guidance to other working groups. It will review all ISO TC94 SC14 standards pertaining to PPE used by firefighters, make recommendations to address identified shortfalls, provide guidance that can assist in reducing such exposures to firefighters, and develop a road map to enable the tracking of key milestones while overseeing this important work.

The Contaminants Project Group road map includes:

„ considering data and documents collected by the project group and determining determine which are useful and how they can be used

„ ensuring that standards that are under development are addressing the risks faced by firefighters—if not, making recommendations to SC14

„ reviewing all current standards under SC14’s responsibility and ensuring they are addressing the risks faced by firefighters—if not, recommending revision

„ engaging with fire services through national fire services councils with regard to:

ƒ fire and rescue services education

ƒ issue of PPE to recruits

ƒ training, including on PPE compatibility, use, and limitations

ƒ operational considerations

ƒ education about ISO 23616:2022 (under revision) Cleaning, inspection and repair of firefighters’ personal protective equipment (PPE)

ƒ cleaning and decontaminating PPE, clean stations, and cab policy

ƒ health surveillance, physiological impacts, ongoing health management programs, and medicals throughout a firefighter’s career

ƒ record keeping for health and medical checks.

The next step for the Contaminants Project Group is to have the draft technical specification submitted to ISO, which will be done through Australia’s national standards body and ISO/SC 14 Mirror Committee. This is expected to be completed by the next meeting scheduled for October 2024.

None of the points discussed above can be achieved without the support of fire services. Therefore, AFAC has taken the initiative to write to a number of international organisations that represent fire services and asked for their assistance.

In doing so, we highlighted that PPE is recognised as the last line of defence for our firefighters when dealing with incidents. This PPE should be certified to a recognised international standard as a means of demonstrating best practice in its provision.

Firefighter PPE standards are reviewed and updated on a regular basis with the intent of ensuring the best possible protection can be provided to our firefighters as technology evolves. International standards committees, such as ISO TC94 SC14, that develop and update international firefighter PPE standards are at their strongest when member representation balances suppliers and users of equipment.

Currently, membership of ISO TC94 SC14 would benefit from increased representation from individuals and fire service agencies who understand firefighter safety and the operational environment. Such a balance would provide firefighters with the best possible protection based on their operational knowledge and experience, backed by science.

To date we have been successful with creating collaboration between several international firefighting bodies and have already created a close working relationship with the UK National Fire Chiefs Council.

We look forward to seeing how we can build on that relationship and promote many more opportunities where we can share knowledge and experiences that will assist in improving firefighter health and safety through improved PPE standards.

Russell Shephard is AFAC Director Standards and Strategic Procurement. He is an active member of both Australian and international standards committees, and plays a pivotal role in the development and revision of Australian and international standards for firefighter and emergency service PPE.

PHOTO: AFAC PHOTO: AFAC

FIREFIGHTERS SAVED BY TRAINING DURING BURNOVER

Firefighters of the Eureka Group Strike Team have told how CFA training helped save their lives during a burnover on the fireground in Pomonal, Victoria in February.

COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY

On 13 February, the Pomonal bushfire near the Grampians National Park began at Bellfield and burned through 2,736 hectares. The Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said 45 homes were destroyed by the bushfire event, a significant figure for a town with fewer than 200 homes, according to the 2021 Census.

The bushfire is believed to have been started by lightning strikes as severe storms hit the state after a series of hot days. At 4 pm on 13 February, not long after the Country Fire Authority (CFA) Eureka Group Strike Team arrived in Pomonal to protect homes impacted by the fire, a wind change occurred.

Jarrod Pegg, member of the Ballarat CFA, said the blaze went from slow moving and predictable to increasing in height several metres at a time.

“We were attacking the fire and the rapid change in wind caused a

significant fire wall to approach our truck, which came over us while we were still out of the truck,” Jarrod said.

“At that point in time I enacted our burnover protocol at CFA, ensured my crew were in the truck safely, then radioed through a mayday call to our strike team leader to inform them of our situation. From there other units from our strike team approached and assisted in our safety.

“We had little time to react to the situation but were able to get in the truck safely with minimal injuries.

“Fortunately our training kicked in. We train for this type of activity— we don’t like to see it and hope it never happens—but we still train for it every season.”

Jarrod said a burnover was a situation no firefighter wants to be in, but their training guided them.

“A burnover is what we try to avoid, no one wants to be in [one]. But all across CFA and fire services

we practise it. I am comfortable with the training I have received. I had no concerns about what was happening.”

He credits the success not only to the training, but to his team too.

“All I had to do was inform my team we were going into a burnover and didn’t have to think twice about what was happening next. Everyone played a part in the protection and safety of ourselves.”

And in true CFA spirit, after getting medical clearance the strike team decided to continue fighting fires.

“I’m proud of my crew, they were very adamant they wanted to get back to the fireground as soon as they could. They wanted to continue protecting the community they were there to save,” Jarrod said.

“For me personally, this incident reinforces the need for volunteers to exist in CFA and continue to support communities, particularly communities during their time of need.”

L–R: Alistair Couzenes, Eureka Group Strike Team leader, with Jeremy Guley, Brett Marshall, Liam Ryan, Georgia Cook, and Jarrod Pegg.

PHOTO: CFA

“The

Patrick Markos Sales and Service Technician

FIRE SPRINKLERS

IN DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION

For

people living with a disability, home

should be a haven—a place of safety and comfort. This basic right can be threatened by modern fires due to the rapid spread and the consequential loss of visibility and tenability.

MARK WHYBROW, AFSM

Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition Australia

Fire safety is paramount for everyone, but for residents with disabilities even a minor fire can have devastating consequences.

Individuals with mobility impairment, sensory limitations, or cognitive difficulties face a proven higher risk of injury or death in a fire compared to the general population.

This increased vulnerability prompted a critical look at fire safety measures in disability accommodation, and particularly the opportunity to mandate the installation of safe, reliable, fit-for-purpose, and cost- effective home fire sprinkler systems.

The key to effective home fire safety is the ability to alert the occupants as early as possible of a problem, with working interconnected smoke alarms recommended by AFAC and by all Australian fire authorities.

While early notification buys time for people to escape safely, there can be

complications for occupants with disabilities:

„ Residents living with a disability may struggle to evacuate independently, and could require significant assistance.

„ Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals might not be alerted by a normal household smoke alarm.

„ Those with cognitive challenges may not understand the urgency of an emergency situation.

These factors combine to create a terrifying reality where a safe escape needs sufficient time, but where the time available evaporates so quickly.

The statistics paint a grim picture. According to AFAC, people with disabilities are twice as likely to die in a house fire compared to the general population, underscoring the need for a multi-pronged approach to fire safety in disability accommodation.

Sprinklers are increasingly needed as part of that strategy to provide safe, reliable, fit-for-purpose, and cost-effective fire safety for those most at risk in our community.

Getting consistent rules

Currently, fire safety regulations for disability accommodation vary across Australia.

While the National Construction Code (NCC) sets out minimum requirements, these may not adequately address the specific needs of individuals and may not have kept pace with community attitudes and aspirations.

Some states have chosen to go further, implementing requirements for mandatory evacuation plans and staff training in fire safety procedures, but there is still much more that could be done.

People with disabilities are no longer being housed in institutions, and we all want to live in a home, not a facility, but that choice should

not carry additional risk for the building occupant.

While the National Disability Insurance Scheme Design Guidelines encourage and recommend home fire sprinklers, they are not mandated, and their inclusion in a home is often the exception rather than the rule.

This lack of mandatory sprinklers in disability housing may cause some certifiers to act conservatively and push for Class 3 accommodation requirements in Class 1a or 1b buildings, but this simply adds to the cost without delivering a workable solution.

The result is an overengineered approach to protect people in single- storey suburban houses, with a price tag to match, and a lifetime of expensive servicing and maintenance to ensure ongoing performance.

Advocates of mandatory home fire sprinklers in disability accommodation instead propose the use of simpler, more cost-effective options, and highlight their life-saving potential.

Why sprinklers?

Sprinklers quickly cool and suppress a fire, containing the blaze to the area or room of origin and preventing flashover—the rapid, sometimes explosive expansion of a fire to engulf the space.

Suppression not only protects residents, but also expands the crucial window for caregivers and emergency responders to safely evacuate those who may need assistance.

Whereas smoke alarms are important to provide a vital warning to occupants, fire sprinklers work to control or extinguish flames, buying extra precious time for a safe evacuation and, as a bonus, significantly reducing property fire damage and the impact on the environment.

National and international studies regularly show that fire sprinklers

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Whereas smoke alarms are important to provide a vital warning to occupants, fire sprinklers work to control or extinguish flames, buying extra precious time for a safe evacuation and, as a bonus, significantly reducing property fire damage and the impact on the environment.

improve occupant survivability by up to 90%—an improvement unmatched by any other single home fire safety measure. This translates to lives saved.

Ongoing challenges to adoption

Despite their obvious, remarkable life-saving benefits, the use of home fire sprinklers is impeded by low community awareness and a lack of understanding of this fit-for-purpose solution.

Concessions in the NCC mean the cost of including fire sprinklers in new buildings is negligible, although this increases if a system needs to be retrofitted, and builders can get sufficient trade-offs to ensure that there is no significant impact on construction costs.

The operation of these systems means that the minimisation of property damage and the lack of a need to relocate after a fire provide long-term benefits that well and truly outweigh any initial investment.

Concerns about water damage

Like many property owners, disability housing providers have expressed concern that these systems could cause significant water damage.

Without human intervention, sprinkler activations are an extremely rare occurrence, but there is always a risk with any water-based fire protection system.

However, modern sprinkler systems are designed to minimise water use and maximise fire suppression effectiveness, and any water damage is still preferable to the loss of human life or the destruction of a property.

The damage caused by a sprinkler activation can also be repaired, whereas lives lost in a fire are lost forever, and a building destroyed by fire may never be replaced.

In society’s interest

Ensuring the safety of all Australians, including those with disabilities, is a shared responsibility. By mandating

home fire sprinklers in disability accommodation, we can significantly reduce the risk of fire-related deaths and injuries in a group that we know disproportionately suffers.

However, this needs to be a collaborative approach—from government and regulatory bodies to disability advocacy groups and accommodation providers, registered training organisations (RTOs), fire safety practitioners, fire authorities, and the building industry.

Investing in fire safety is an investment in protecting life. By prioritising the wellbeing of an at-risk part of the Australian community, we will help to create safe havens for those who call disability accommodation home.

The evidence is clear—mandatory home fire sprinklers represent a life- saving solution in disability housing. Let us work together to ensure that everyone has the chance to escape a fire and live a safe and secure life.

To see how fast the ability to survive disappears during a home fire, have a look at Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition Australia’s VR immersive side-by-side video. Visit https://homefiresprinklers. org.au/initiatives/virtual-experience

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

ADVOCACY CORNER

Collaboration, rather than coercion, is a more effective way to get the best out of an industry.

PAUL WATERHOUSE FPA Australia

In a previous life, I was told by a regulator that: “We have to regulate, because we can’t assume that people will always do the right thing.”

I was reminded of this—rather alarming—statement recently while reviewing a barrage of policy documents and consultations from around the country.

The question is—are we going too far?

Are modern regulators creating a lot of rules to make sure that people are doing the right thing, but forgetting simply to enforce what’s already on the books?

Have governments invested more in parliamentary drafting than in educating industry and checking that they know what to do?

And, by setting lots of rules where the government is in control of everything, is there a risk that regulators are overlooking the very real benefits of collaborative partnerships?

Most industries suffer from ‘cowboys’—those who flaunt the rules

and do whatever they want to make a quick buck. It creates a race to the bottom and a general distrust of any industry amongst its client base.

But in almost all cases there is a desire by those who are doing the right thing to send those cowboys out into the wide blue yonder, to increase the industry’s professionalism and improve reliability.

In some situations, this requires regulation and a big stick. In others, there are benefits in increasing the value of these roles in return for greater accountability and performance.

In fire protection, organisations such as FPA Australia have embraced this drive towards greater professionalism, and actively work to improve standards, sometimes to the disapproval of our own membership.

For us there is a clear motivation— a properly functioning fire protection sector means a much safer community.

We not only see the need for practitioners to be skilled, competent, and ethical, we also live and work in the buildings our sector protects, as do our friends and families.

We see fire protection as a value- add to a building, not mere

compliance, and we are leading our membership—enthusiastically or otherwise—to a world where ‘good enough’ is just not good enough.

In this, we work closely with government and other stakeholders, sometimes in harmony, sometimes in discord, to ensure that solutions are appropriate, effective, and designed to ensure the longevity of the sector.

What is clear is that there is an occasional tendency to see fire protection as just like any other sector in construction. But it is not.

It is the areas of difference, these nuances, that we can explain to governments, endeavouring to do so every day.

Fire protection regulation needs to be practical, sensible, and workable. It will not deliver if it is driven by ideology or a desire for membership, or a general distrust of those in the industry.

We have been told of late that there are lots of problems that need to be addressed … this may be true.

But instead of simply starting again and changing all the rules, this is the time to sit down with the industry and identify how to address any identified defects and systemic issues.

Industry is more than willing to work with government to resolve these problems, but we need to know the biggest areas of concern so that we can work collaboratively to address them.

It is easy to throw out the old and bring in the new. But working with an industry, rather than dictating to it from on high, will deliver more benefits, better outcomes, and a stronger commitment from those who you seek to regulate.

This may require an actual dialogue—sitting down to discuss the problems and seek solutions, rather than presenting predetermined solutions and asking for feedback.

There is a wealth of experience and knowledge within industries—and not a small amount of disagreement—and regulators who seek that input (and who make it the industry’s problem to fix) are going to be more successful than those who think they already have all the answers.

It may be true that you cannot assume that people will always do the right thing. But a more strategic approach to regulation would be to give some benefit of the doubt and to work with others— even if they frustrate you—to identify those solutions that will actually work.

FPA Australia will always be here to help governments to achieve that goal.

PHOTO: PEXELS

MOST POWERFUL FIRE ENGINE EVER BUILT? 1965–82

It was a very busy day for the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) on 20 April 1963.

A combination of dry spells and prolonged water shortages led to one of the biggest fires on Staten Island, which comprised mainly thick brush, oak, and pine trees, and small clusters of homes.

All of the island’s fire companies were quickly committed, but there was almost no water available due to the drought and poor water mains. While additional fire companies were despatched from Brooklyn and Manhattan, they were hampered by the need to take fire apparatus across to Staten Island by ferry.

In all, despite more than 1,300 firefighters and more than 80 fire companies being committed to the fight, losses on the island were still substantial.

Water horsepower of the unit equals that of 20

with a six-speed Allison semi-automatic transmission and equipped with power

engine, air brakes, and power steering.

built-in piston type valve allowing either

A 1765 kW Napier-Deltic 18-cylinder

The Super Pumper was serviced by stabilised the rig and counteracted the

Probably the world’s largest heavy dry chemical fire truck is currently in service at Frankfurt Airport, Germany. Based on a Faun 8x8 all-wheel drive 50 tonne chassis, and powered by a 10-cylinder supercharged V-type diesel engine, it carries 12,000 kg of foam compatible dry chemical. Two turret nozzles each deliver 50 kg per second and two hose reels supply handline nozzles each delivering 3.5 kg per second.

BARRY LEE OAM

PHOTO: FDNY

PHOTO: FDNY

1. The Super Pumper system in operation.

2. The Napier-Deltic two-stroke diesel power plant.

3. New York’s Super Pumper shown at acceptance.

regular pumpers.

4. The tender truck.

PHOTO: FDNY

PERSPECTIVES FROM THE SECTOR: ENHANCING THE AFAC EXPERIENCE

In this edition, Rob Webb catches up with the expert behind AFAC’s communications, marketing, and events—including the celebrated AFAC Conference. AFAC Director of Engagement and Member Experience Zoe Kenyon shares her career journey and her role in connecting the fire and emergency services sector.

AFAC

What is your role in AFAC now, and what has your journey been through AFAC?

I’m the Director of Engagement and Member Experience, which encompasses all things internal and external communications, marketing, and events at AFAC. My journey at AFAC has been a great one, and one I didn’t envisage when I finished my master’s and began working on a six-month project about engaging young and diverse volunteers in emergency management. That was 10 years ago now!

Since then, I have worked hard, and have benefited from being in the right place, at the right time, with the right skillset. Before I was the successful applicant for my communications and events role, I worked in the Office of the CEO and supported a range of AFAC collaboration groups.

What roles have taught you the most?

The collaboration groups are at the heart of what AFAC does, bringing together subject matter experts to collaborate and solve problems with collective effort. Working with the Operations Directorate and leading the Volunteer Management Technical Group gave me insight into the world

of our members, what they experience, what they are planning and how they support our communities. Working with a range of leaders from Australia and New Zealand was an extraordinary learning opportunity. It gave me an understanding of the issues facing the fire and emergency services sector, but also gave me a solid foundation in learning about AFAC’s role supporting our members and providing a high level of service.

Working as Executive Officer in the Office of the CEO was a unique opportunity, which I was very privileged to have. It provided me with an understanding of AFAC as a business, beyond the work of the collaboration groups. This was during a time of significant growth in the organisation, which meant that I was there at the origin of some of our key initiatives, including the National Memorial Service, the National Resource Sharing Centre, and the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience. Being MC for the National Memorial Service was a personal career highlight, as was presenting the AFAC report on diversity, which recommended becoming part of the Champions of Change Coalition, to the National Council.

Taking on AFAC’s communications and events directorate was a whole

Zoe Kenyon

is AFAC Director of Engagement and Member Experience.

new challenge for me, especially becoming the lead for the AFAC Conference. Building the relationship with our partners, Hannover Fairs Australia, was a key focus and I’m really proud of how well our teams work together. I see us as one team delivering the conference, as opposed to two separate organisations. The event has grown significantly, and the team works hard with the host agencies each year to deliver the best conference and exhibition experience we can by including a thought- provoking program, alongside an exciting and innovative exhibition.

Leading a team of skilled professionals has been a rewarding experience, one that I learn from constantly. We have built an in-house capability to support the entire business with its communications and event needs—something I never would have thought possible 10 years ago.

PHOTO: AFAC

ROB WEBB

Looking back at the start of your AFAC tenure, what advice do you wish you had then?

During my time at AFAC there has been huge change within the organisation, but also across the sector. This comes across each year when we put the conference program together. Quite often we find that an idea presented on an AFAC Conference program one year sparks a program of work that is carried through the sector in the following years. It could be an example from one organisation that is replicated across others. Or research that has gone on to be utilised in the sector. Or the beginning of a new focus for the AFAC National Council.

I had some good advice when I started: if you enjoy what you do, and do a good job, there will always be opportunities for you. I think I dismissed that a bit at the time, but now realise what that can amount to. I have been lucky to be surrounded by many experienced and talented people in the AFAC office and the AFAC membership who have been very generous with their time and knowledge to help me on my journey. Being able to have conversations and learn from those who lead by example has had a big impact on me.

The biggest change for me personally was coming back to work after parental leave in a part-time

capacity. It’s a huge challenge and a constant juggle that all working parents and carers will know and understand. Having the support from AFAC to work flexibly, being open to job sharing, and having a high-performing team around me has helped me to navigate this new era.

Your position has recently extended to AFAC Director of Engagement and Member Experience. What is your vision for this position and for what AFAC can be in the future?

My vision is that no matter what interaction someone has with AFAC, be that at an event, as a collaboration group member, or as a visitor to our website, you will have a consistent and positive experience. This comes back to our ethos of existing to support our members, providing a high level of customer service, and building a trusted, consistent brand. With the expansion of AFAC over the past decade, it is a great opportunity to bring a focus of engagement, beyond just our standard information products and events, to the broader interactions of members with AFAC across the organisation.

AFAC exists to supports its members, and our goal is to bring the members together to work towards a connected and capable sector. If

the work we are doing at AFAC helps our fire and emergency services to improve their practice, that in turn is helping the communities in Australia and New Zealand to become safer and more resilient to disasters. That is what always sticks in the back of my mind and motivates me to strive to do more.

What message do you have for young women starting in their careers now?

Look out for opportunities and don’t be afraid to take them. Be confident in your ability, regardless of what others may think. I would also say to those who are engaging young people: give them a go! Sharing your knowledge and insight can go a long way in inspiring someone at the beginning of their career.

PHOTO: AFAC

PHOTO: AFAC

In 2023, Zoe Kenyon led the delivery of the largest AFAC Conference to date, hosted in Brisbane.

Zoe Kenyon is grateful for the support and guidance of the broader AFAC staff during her career.

NSW EMERGENCY SECTOR UNITES FOR THE 2024 SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS

Sydney’s annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival returned on 16 February to 3 March, with the NSW emergency services sector celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community.

Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW State Emergency Service and NSW Rural Fire Service were among the agencies in attendance, celebrating the values of acceptance, diversity, and understanding that the annual event stands for.

The agencies were honoured to be part of the important event and featured prominently as part of the Mardi Gras parade—a moment that meant a lot to those who belong to both communities.

PHOTOS: NSW RFS

PHOTOS:

STANDARDS UPDATE

AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS

BD-012 Building commissioning

AS 5342 Building commissioning is being drafted.

BD-111 Prefabricated building

The committee has been established, dedicated to the construction of prefabricated buildings. FPA Australia is a member, to ensure that appropriate fire safety is incorporated.

CE-030 Maritime structures

AS 4997 Guidelines for the design of maritime structures is being drafted.

EM-001 Electric vehicle operation

Progress continues on the revisions of SA TS 5396 Technical Specification—Electric vehicle (EV) chargers for residential use and SA TS 5397 Technical Specification— Electric vehicle (EV) chargers for commercial applications

FP-002 Fire detection, warning, control, and intercom systems

Public consultation recently ended on the following standards:

◆ AS 1670.1 Fire detection, warning, control, and intercom systems—System design, installation and commissioning, Part 1: Fire

◆ AS 1670.3 Fire detection, warning, control, and intercom systems—System design, installation and commissioning, Part 3: Fire alarm monitoring

◆ AS 1670.4 Fire detection, warning, control, and intercom systems—System design, installation and commissioning, Part 4: Emergency warning and intercom systems

◆ AS 4428.17 Fire detection, warning, control, and intercom systems—Control and indicating equipment, Part 17: Fire services key.

The Standards Committee is also drafting:

◆ AS 4428.6 Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems—Control and indicating equipment, Part 6: Alarm signalling equipment

◆ AS 7240.2 Fire detection and alarm systems, Part 2: Fire detection control and indicating equipment (ISO 7240-2:2017, MOD).

FP-011 Special hazard fire protection systems

AS 6183 Fire protection equipment—Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems for use on premises—Design and installation (ISO 6183:2022, MOD) is being drafted.

FP-018 Fire safety

Public comment recently ended for:

◆ AS 1530.1 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures, Part 1: Combustibility test for materials

◆ AS 1530.8.1-2018 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures, Part 8.1: Tests on elements of construction for buildings exposed to simulated bushfire attack—Radiant heat and small flaming sources

◆ AS 1530.8.2-2018 Methods for fire tests

on building materials, components and structures, Part 8.2: Tests on elements of construction for buildings exposed to simulated bushfire attack—Large flaming sources

◆ AS 1530.4 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures, Part 4: Fire-resistance tests for elements of construction

◆ AS 1530.4 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures, Part 4: Fire-resistance tests for elements of construction is currently being drafted.

FPA Australia is advised about standards by our Technical Advisory Committees. Members interested in contributing can find out more at www.fpaa.com.au/ advocacy-technical/technical-advisorycommittees

TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS

FPA Australia’s technical documents can be found at www.fpaa.com.au/Web/ Technical_Advice/Web/Technical_Advice/ Technical_Advice.aspx

LITHIUM BATTERY SIG

The Lithium Battery Special Interest Group (LB/SIG) has published a good practice guide: GPG-10 V1 Charging, Using and Disposing of Lithium-Ion Batteries, which can be found on the FPA Australia website. The SIG is now considering its next projects.

TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES

TAC meetings were held throughout March and April.

National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC)

◆ The NTAC is reviewing rules for the operation of TACs and SIGs, receiving standards development updates and considering the creation of a new TAC/M Mechanical Committee.

◆ It continually reviews progress against FPA Australia’s strategy and is considering a Fire Suppression Systems Association memorandum of understanding and a cylinder testing guide.

TAC/1 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment

◆ The AS 1851 review project is still the main priority for TAC/1. This project is going through the approval process with Standards Australia.

◆ Working groups will be established within each TAC to concentrate on the relevant sections of AS 1851 in 2024.

TAC/2 Fire detection and alarm systems

◆ The committee is discussing power supply and battery failure monitoring for FDCIEs

and ASEs, the Australian Building Codes Board’s (ABCB’s) smoke alarm program document, and changes to relevant standards.

◆ Various technical documents are in progress, including a Good Practice Guide on speaker layout and a Technical Advisory Note on Building Occupant Warning Systems.

TAC/3/7 Portable and mobile equipment

◆ The committee is focused on testing procedures for lithium fire extinguishers and revising AS 1841 and AS 1850, in preparation for a revision of AS 2444.

TAC/4/8/9 Fire sprinkler and hydrant systems, tanks, and fixed fire pumps

◆ Work continues on the spacing of sprinkler heads in concealed spaces and hydrostatic testing of hydrant systems, drafting technical documents to provide guidance.

TAC/11/22 Special hazards fire protection systems

◆ FPA Australia has made submissions to CASA and ICAO about the high temperature testing of foam extinguishants, and the committee is reviewing AS 5062 to determine what needs to change in the standard.

◆ An issues register has been created for changes to AS 5062, and the committee has updated IB-06 V4 Selection and Use of Firefighting Foams

TAC/17 Emergency planning

◆ The committee is considering the ABCB handbook on lifts used during an evacuation to determine whether a technical document needs to be developed.

◆ It is also discussing whether minimum elements should be implemented for EV charging stations on evacuation diagrams, and is reviewing IB-20 When are emergency plans required?

TAC/18/19 Passive fire protection

◆ Work will begin shortly to update the guide on intumescent coatings and to develop a guide on cavity barriers.

◆ The committee is also developing an information bulletin and a position statement on product testing under AS 1530.4.

TAC/20 Bushfire safety

◆ The committee is considering bushfire resilience and the protection of external lithium-ion battery installations and undertaking projects on effective slope calculations and the assessment and classification of vegetation.

Formation of TAC/M Mechanical

FPA Australia has established a new Technical Advisory Committee, TAC/M Mechanical, to promote technical excellence in mechanical fire protection.

TAC/M Mechanical will provide a platform to engage over, discuss, and contribute to the assessment and enhancement of fire-related mechanical standards.

FIRE AUSTRALIA 2024

Fire Australia, one of the most important conferences in the fire protection industry calendar, will be heading to the Gold Coast on 7–9 May 2024.

The event will bring together leading presenters from Australia and overseas, offering some of the most up-to-date and inspiring content, as well as advanced solutions to the industry’s challenges. The program will again be offering different streams of content, from the political to the practical, giving delegates an opportunity to learn new things and earn continuing professional development points in the process.

Additionally, the best goods and solutions the fire industry has to offer will be on display at our world-class Tradeshow, which will provide you with plenty of opportunities to speak with distributors about how they can support you.

Find out more at www.fireaustralia.com.au

LESSONS MANAGEMENT FORUM

The 2024 Lessons Management Forum will be focused on the future of lessons management—embedding and expanding lessons management as a key component of developing a learning culture in the emergency management sector.

The Lessons Management Forum will be held on 28–30 May 2024 in Adelaide and will explore the theme ‘Lessons management: where to from here’. The forum will include presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities.

The Lessons Management Forum is hosted by AFAC and proudly supported by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience. It provides an opportunity for lessons management practitioners, those interested in this area, and those new to the area to share good practice, learnings, and innovations.

More information about the event is available at https://www.aidr.org.au/ events/44125

SAVE THE DATE: FPA AUSTRALIA’S WA BUSHFIRE CONFERENCE

Are you passionate about safeguarding our communities from the devastating impact of bushfires?

Make sure to save the date for FPA Australia’s WA Bushfire Conference, ‘Ignite change in 2024’, which will take place on 16–17 July 2024 in Perth.

This conference is a platform for experts, professionals, researchers, and community leaders to come together and explore cutting-edge strategies, technologies, and

insights aimed at revolutionising bushfire protection and response. Earlybird registration is now open

In the meantime, visit https://bushfireaus. com.au to start planning your attendance!

AFAC24 POWERED BY INTERSCHUTZ

AFAC24 powered by INTERSCHUTZ is Australasia’s largest and most comprehensive emergency management conference and exhibition, brought to you by AFAC, Deutsche Messe, the Institution of Fire Engineers (Australia), and Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience. Last year, the conference and exhibition attracted a record attendance of more than 3,500 emergency management personnel.

To be hosted on 3–6 September 2024 at the ICC in Sydney, AFAC24 Conference and Exhibition will offer more than 100 presenters and the industry’s most impressive range of exhibitors, covering all facets of emergency management equipment, technology, and services. The theme for AFAC24 is ‘Embracing innovation and disruption: designing the future for our sector’.

The host agencies for 2024 are ACT Emergency Services Agency, ACT Parks and Conservation, Fire and Rescue NSW, Forestry Corporation of NSW, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW State Emergency Service, and Surf Life Saving NSW.

Find out more about the event at www.afacconference.com.au

FPA AUSTRALIA EVENTS

FPA Australia runs technical events catering to the fire protection industry on a range of relevant and interesting topics. Covering the whole of the sector— wet systems, dry systems, passive fire, mechanical fire protection, special hazards, bushfire, and emergency planning—these seminars and webinars provide useful opportunities for practitioners to pick up continuing professional development points. Presented by leading experts, our seminars and technical webinars provide all the information you need about relevant fire safety topics.

For a full list of upcoming events, visit www.fpaa.com.au/events

To catch up on some of our previous events, visit FPA Australia+, where you can access technical content in your own time and at your own leisure, without having to interrupt your workday. Visit www.fpaaplus. com.au to browse our recorded webinars.

2024 Bushfire Attack Level Short Course dates

For those interested in correctly assessing Bushfire Attack Levels and determining the construction requirements that apply, there are courses this year booked for:

◆ Perth: 22–26 July; 28 October–1 November

◆ Albany, WA: 27–31 May

◆ Melbourne: 12–16 August; 11–15 November.

Details can be found at http://tinyurl.com/4yx5cwse

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

FIONA DUNSTAN AFSM

Fiona Dunstan has been appointed Deputy Chief Fire Officer and Director Bushfire and Emergency Management at Forest Fire Management Victoria and the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. Ms Dunstan took the role after two years at the Bureau of Meteorology as the National Community Engagement Manager.

Prior to this, Ms Dunstan had an extensive career at the South Australian Country Fire Service as Manager Information Operations. She is influential in the public information and community engagement spaces nationally, participating in various national and state committees.

PAUL MCGUIGGAN AFSM

Veteran Fire and Rescue NSW firefighter, Paul McGuiggan, has been promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner—Field Operations. The appointment sees Mr McGuiggan rise from Assistant Commissioner— Metropolitan Operations and will take effect immediately.

Mr McGuiggan is a 38-year career firefighter with extensive local, interstate, and international experience in emergency management, including deployments to the 2009 Victorian bushfires and 2011 Christchurch earthquake. He also displayed his significant leadership skills during the 2019–20 bushfires and recent NSW flood events.

WAYNE PHILLIPS

The ACT Government has appointed Wayne Phillips as the new Commissioner for the ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA). Mr Phillips had a long and distinguished career with Fire and Rescue NSW and brings a significant amount of operational and leadership experience to the role.

Mr Phillips joined ESA in 2022, has been Interim Commissioner since 30 September 2023, and is now the sixth Commissioner to lead the agency. Mr Phillips is focused on the ESA’s workplace environment. He is known as a consultative leader who engages with employees, volunteers, and the community to better understand their needs.

JOINT EDITORS

PAUL WATERHOUSE (FPA AUSTRALIA)

Tel +61 3 8892 3133

paul.waterhouse@fpaa.com.au

ALANA BEITZ (AFAC)

Tel +61 3 9418 5233

alana.beitz@afac.com.au FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA (FPA AUSTRALIA)

ABN 30 005 366 576 PO Box 1049

Box Hill VIC 3128

Australia

Tel +61 3 8892 3133

Fax +61 3 8892 3132 magazine@fpaa.com.au www.fpaa.com.au AFAC

ABN 52 060 049 327

Level 1, 340 Albert Street

East Melbourne VIC 3002

Australia

Tel +61 3 9419 2388

Fax +61 3 9419 2389 afac@afac.com.au www.afac.com.au

ALLYSON LARDNER

Allyson Lardner has been appointed Assistant Commissioner State Operations at Emergency Management Victoria. She previously held the role of Deputy Chief Fire Officer and Director Bushfire and Emergency Management at Forest Fire Management Victoria and the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. Ms Lardner spent 25 years at Forest Fire Management Victoria, including during the 2019–20 bushfire season, COVID-19 response, and an international deployment to support Canada’s wildfire response. She was recently recognised as one of the Institute of Public Administration Australia’s Top 50 Victorian Women in the Public Sector, for her work to ensure emergency services workers stayed safe and healthy during COVID-19.

TO SUBMIT A CONTRIBUTION OR TO ADVERTISE IN FIRE AUSTRALIA, PLEASE CONTACT: CHRIS LARSEN FPA AUSTRALIA

TEL +61 431 900 712 magazine@fpaa.com.au

PRODUCTION AND DESIGN: CORETEXT

Tel +61 3 9670 1168 www.coretext.com.au

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