FPANZ President's Message

Nearing the completion of my first year as the Association’s President, I am pleased to present my annual report.

The key achievement this year is continued growth in our membership, which reflects the increasing value that Territorial Authorities place on membership as being an indication of a commitment to quality and compliance.

We have placed an emphasis on updating and developing standards and codes of practices.

• The draft revision of NZS4541 Automatic sprinkler systems available for public comment.

• We also expect that the contract is signed to proceed with an amendment to NZS4512 Fire detection and alarm systems in buildings.

• Work has commenced on FPA Code of Practice for Interface of Building Services, Passive Fire Protection Coatings and Passive Fire Protection Penetration standards.

We are also engaged with Competenz in the development of a new Passive Fire Protection Installer qualification. While we agree that the polytech training regime needs review, we do have concerns that the Government may move industry training from the Industry Training Organisations to the polytechs. We believe that we have developed a good relationship with Competenz over the past few years and are seeing positive gains in the quality of training being offered.

In this coming year, we are placing an emphasis on the recruitment and training of new talent for the installation industry. We expect to appoint a Training and Recruitment Advisor for a fixed term contract to drive this initiative in the new year.

The Association has been operating with healthy financial surpluses over the past three years, which will allow us to invest back into servicing our members. To that effect, we expect to visit the main centres throughout the year to host membership meetings and forums. We also wish to revitalise the ‘Getting it Right Seminar Series’, holding these in the main centres.

Chris Mak, President FPANZ

I will also be asking Scott Lawson to review potential technical training needs, including the potential to develop a useful designer training program. To that effect, we will look at what the US and Australia have to offer. This will be a longer term project and would tie in with the National Diploma of Engineering that the Institute of Fire Engineers is developing. From my point of view, the industry is close to crisis point, with the aging cadre of competent and experienced designers – in many cases – are nearing the end of their careers.

The Association values your feedback, and, in particular, about what we can deliver to increase our value to our membership. Feel free to contact Scott Lawson or myself if you have positive suggestions on what we can deliver.

In closing, I would like to thank the three employees of the Association: Scott, Elaine and Vicki, for their valued service this year, along with all the Board and Council Members, and those who sat in on various Sector Advisory Group Meetings, Standards Meetings and Code of Practice development meetings.