Photo: LinkedIn
Newsletter of Fire Protection Association Australia Left to right – Martin Cole, John Petersen, David Packham with their awards.
Australian Inventors Honoured at International Awards The Australia inventors of a revolutionary smoke detection technology have been recognised with one of the fire protection industry’s most prestigious international awards.
David Packham, John Petersen, Martin Cole and Len Gibson* (who was recognised posthumously) developed the Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus (VESDA), which has improved the accuracy, reliability and applicability of detection systems in challenging environments for more than 20 years. The group won the Philip J DiNenno Prize, also known as the Nobel Prize for public safety, which is worth US$50,000. The award was presented at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Conference, held in Boston, USA on 4 June. David Packham and Len Gibson are also the 2002 recipients of Fire Protection Association Australia’s A.V. Viscogliosi Award for Outstanding Service to the Fire Protection Industry. According to the NFPA, VESDA technology and its pre-eminent role in the global introduction of aspirated smoke detection (ASD) has assisted with better safety solutions for the specific facilities, protection of sensitive or valuable data, equipment and goods. The VESDA innovation transformed the fire detection and alarm industry and inspired a whole new aspirated smoke detection area of technology. The installation of VESDA in telecommunication facilities, telephone exchanges,
data centres, high technology manufacturing, industrial control rooms and other related facilities has had a significant impact on asset protection and business continuity. In addition, the very early smoke detection by VESDA provides life safety protection for employees working in these buildings. VESDA technology allows for smoke detection over a very large, dynamic range, which means it can be used for both high and standard sensitivity alarm points typically seen in spot smoke detectors. VESDA has proven to be an adaptable technology that is ideal for effective detection in unique applications. For instance, VESDA has been successfully tested and used in road tunnels and zoo enclosures.” The DiNenno Prize was established in 2014 following DiNenno’s passing in 2013. A prize committee considers nominations submitted from around the world. More information can be found at www.nfpa.org/dinenno. “Fire Protection Association Australia congratulates John Petersen, Martin Cole, David Packham and the family of the late Len Gibson on their involvement and recognition of VESDA,” said Association CEO Scott Williams, who was in Boston and attended the NFPA Conference.
Winter 2017 In This Issue Australian Inventors Honoured at International Awards FPAS First Accredited US Study Tour Location, Location, Location – Reviewing AS 2444-2001 2017 National Construction Code Seminars Enforcing Compliance Fire Australia Conference Highlights Future Challenges New & Upgraded Members New FPAS Recognised Businesses
“VESDA has contributed greatly to community safety and it is fitting that it be recognised with such an important and prestigious award on the world stage.”
* Len Gibson died in 2008 aged 78 from cancer. He lived in Victoria where he began his career in the Post Master General’s Department before seeing opportunities in fire protection in 1962.
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FPAS First Accredited The first individuals to be accredited under the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) have received special awards recognising their achievement. It was four years ago when Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia) launched FPAS so that individuals performing Inspection & Testing activities for Fire Protection Systems and Equipment had an independent framework by which to be assessed and recognised. Last month a milestone was achieved with the scheme now having more than 2,000 Inspect & Test accredited individuals and many more applications being processed for assessment.
US Study Tour Members of the Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia) US Study Tour have been hosted by Fire Department New York (FDNY) and heard first-hand about the devastation caused by the 9/11 tragedy. The Manhattan Borough Commander of FDNY, Chief Roger W Sakowich gave a personal tour of the 9/11 memorial and recalled what it was like to have lost so many friends and colleagues who were the first responders to the tragedy 16 years ago.
Ken Denning, left, receiving his award from Leo Mautone.
Ken Denning was the first fire protection industry practitioner to gain accreditation in FPAS Fire Systems Design. Mr Denning was presented with a special award to mark the occasion, by Leo Mautone, FPA Australia General Manager, Member and Industry Services. “The Industry wants to see accreditation so FPAS is important for the industry. Other schemes have tried and failed but this one is going to work.” said Mr Denning.
“It was incredibly moving to meet and talk to someone so closely involved in the response and recovery effort. I think I can speak for everyone on the tour when I say that it was a special moment on a trip that had already provided many special moments,” said Mr Williams. “Chief Sakowich also took the group through the new One World Tower which replaced the two World Trade Centre buildings destroyed in the terrorist attack. The group saw the extent of the fire safety systems and the level of construction of the building to address the many lessons learnt from 9/11. One World is a truly remarkable building and the level
Left to right: Ben Vardy, Chris Honey, Peter Keating, Sabrina Keating, Scott Williams, Lyndall Orr, Peter Blain, Gina Patrick, Fiona Burt, Simon Burt, Chris Orr
Andrew Hobson.
George Andrews, the first practitioner to gain FPAS Fire Systems Certification accreditation, and Andrew Hobson, first to be accredited under FPAS Inspect & Test, were also presented with awards. To learn more about FPAS, go to www.fpaa.com.au/fpas.
of technology related to the fire systems in this building is nothing short of an engineering marvel. The Director of Fire Safety for One World and a representative of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) assisted in the tour as well. The FPA Australia tour party were thrilled and very honoured to have been shown such courtesy and hospitality by our US colleagues.” The 14 day tour returned to Australia on 12 June. It commenced in New York before moving on to Boston for the National Fire Protection Association annual To register interest in conference. attending the US Study Tour in 2018 email events@fpaa.com.au.
The Manhattan Borough Commander of FDNY, Chief Roger W Sakowich (left) with FPA Australia CEO Scott Williams.
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2017 National Construction Code Seminars
Location, Location, Location – Reviewing AS 2444-2001 Many of us will have walked through an apartment or office high rise or a public building such as a hospital or sporting arena and read the signs showing the location of a fire extinguisher. It’s probably background information for most people who wouldn’t normally register such information, but if there was a fire, that location, signage and the choice of extinguisher could be life-saving. As with all things in fire protection, there has already been a great deal of thought put into optimising the choice and location of fire extinguishers and fire blankets. The relevant Standard is AS 2444-2001 Portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets – Selection and location and Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia) together with other industry stakeholders believes it is now time to review that Standard. In the 15 plus years since the last edition of AS 2444 was published, many new technologies and materials have become commonplace creating new hazards and new hazards practices. For example; modern building materials and furnishings behave differently in a fire; there are also new fuels on the market like ethanol and new thinking may be required about what kind of extinguisher provides the best performance. There are also some points of confusion about identifying when to select and install different classes of extinguishers and how to apply the rules for their distribution. The Standard also covers extinguishers used in vehicles which is another area where technologies that are now almost commonplace – such as, hybrids and fully electric vehicles – weren’t even a consideration during the original drafting of the Standard.
Under these circumstances it is not surprising that industry and consumers are sometimes confused. FPA Australia believes the time is right for a review and has gone to the fire protection industry for input on what industry members believe should change to make improvements. Industry feedback will be considered in a review of AS 2444-2001 by FPA Australia’s Technical Advisory Committee for portable and mobile equipment (TAC/3/7) with the aim of submitting a project proposal to Standards Australia to revise this Standard. To assist in identifying what sort of issues could be raised, TAC/3/7 has provided the following examples that have already been identified: • Extinguisher rating and classification (e.g. 2A:20B:E) is currently used to determine suitable extinguishers and their distribution but you can sometimes get extinguishers of the same rating and classification but of different sizes (e.g. 4.5kg or 9kg). Does size also need to be a consideration in the selection of extinguishers? For example, should a minimum extinguisher size also be set or should the issue of size simply be discussed as part of the informative appendices so people understand the advantages and disadvantages of a smaller or larger size for the same rating and classification?
Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia) was recently asked by the Australia Building Codes Board (ABCB) to present its views, along with a group of other peak industry bodies, in relation to the importance of using the International Fire Engineering Guidelines (IFEG) and developing a Fire Engineering Brief (FEB) and Fire Engineering Report (FER) regarding fire safety related performance solutions in accordance with the National Construction Code (NCC). The 2017 NCC seminar series was an important opportunity for designers and other practitioners to be briefed on several of the important aspects. The sessions were filmed and are now available on YouTube by clicking here. Members may be interested in viewing the following two sessions in particular:
•U se of the IFEG and the FEB process (statements) (part 7) • Use of the IFEG and the FEB Process (Q&A) (part 8) • Greater clarification needed of what are light, ordinary and high hazards and what this means for selection, location and distribution of extinguishers. • Need to review any contradictions between AS 2444 and the BCA. • Clarification needed on the difference between similar vehicle types in Table 5.1. Clarification also needed on when an extinguisher fitted with a hose is needed and why/if higher ratings are needed for extinguishers in vehicles used outside urban areas. • Ethanol blended fuels are now readily available and have been for some time however there is no clear guidance on extinguisher type for this hazard. This may also require changes to the testing standard (AS/NZS 1850) to include a test for such fuels. If you have any questions, please contact the Technical Services department at technical@fpaa.com.au.
Enforcing Compliance Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia) is continuing to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring the high professional standard it places on its Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS), the Bushfire Planning and Design (BPAD) accreditation scheme and compliance of members to the Terms and Conditions of Membership, including adherence to the Code of Practice.
Disclosure of Correct Employee Numbers
The Association believes it is vital to invest in staff and systems to ensure our high standards are maintained.
FPA Australia is conducting audits across all states and territories and across all member types in order to ensure accuracy so that all members are at the correct member level and we don’t have the situation where the majority of members who disclose the correct number of employees are subsidising those who are not.
FPA Australia Audits FPA Australia is currently conducting audits in order to ensure compliance with the Association Code of Practice, Terms and Conditions of Membership and, where applicable, Terms and Conditions of Accreditations.
Use of the Correct Trademark Logo and Name Findings relating to non-compliance often relate to the incorrect or inappropriate use of the FPA Australia Trademark Logo and in many cases we have found members using outdated logos which are no longer allowed for use. Old logos were to have been removed from member’s websites, business cards and other marketing material by 1 July 2016. To ensure you are using the correct logo and adhering to the Terms of Membership, please refer to the FPA Australia Terms & Conditions for correct use of FPA Australia Trademark Logos. Where an audit discovers the use by non-members and past members of the FPA Australia Trademark Logo, FPA Australia takes action to have it removed as soon as possible. Audits like this further strengthen the brand and ensures non-members are not gaining a benefit for which they are not contributing. Any members aware of a non-member using the FPA Australia Trademark Logo is encouraged to report them to compliance@fpaa.com.au.
FPA Australia’s aim is to ensure compliance among our members for the benefit of the entire industry and wants to help organisations and individuals achieve that.
We are also finding some members disclosing the incorrect number of employees at Membership renewal or when joining as a Corporate or Organisation member. The Association membership levels are determined by the total number of employees of each entity which has taken out Corporate or Organisation membership.
We have redesigned our complaints submission section of our website. For more information on how to submit a complaint please visit the ‘CONTACT’ section of our website or click here. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us via email at member@fpaa.com.au or call on 03 8892 3131.
Complaints and the Code of Practice All FPA Australia member companies sign up to and agree to abide by the Code of Practice. All individuals accredited under an FPA Australia accreditation scheme (FPAS or BPAD ) are bound by the Code of Professional Conduct. The Code of Practice and/or the Code of Professional Conduct (the Code) prescribes the principles, standards of behaviour and service delivery requirements and applies to all FPA Australia Signatories to the Code. The Association has received an increase in complaints which relate to the quality of work or ethical behaviour of some members which goes against the Code which they have signed up to. FPA Australia investigates breaches of compliance with the Code that are reported via the required process and takes all complaints seriously. If you suspected a breach of the Code has occurred, it must be reported in writing to FPA Australia. The submission must include an outline of the complaint being made and include all available supporting documentation. Find more information about lodging a complaint at www.fpaa.com.au/contact/complaints.
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Fire Australia Conference Highlights Future Challenges
“This shift in population is going to impact every area of building, fire and life safety,” Mr Pauley told Conference delegates.
Fire Australia 2017, held in Sydney in May, was Fire Protection Association Australia’s (FPA Australia) most successful Conference and Tradeshow ever, with more attendees, more sponsors, more exhibitors and the most impressive gathering of industry experts.
“The Climate Institute estimates the total economic cost of disasters in Australia, including bushfires, exceeded $12 billion Chris Dubay, NFPA. in 2012. They further expect those costs to double by 2030 and to rise to an average of $23 billion per year by 2050,” he said.
Bushfires were another area predicted to grow in severity and frequency with an increasingly significant economic impact.
One of the event highlights, the Charity Dinner, this year in aid of the Fiona Wood Foundation and their work developing burns treatments, raised a record $27,000. NSW Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, the Hon. Matt Kean officially opened Fire Australia 2017. Referring to legislative reforms that will bring such widespread improvements to the fire protection industry in NSW, the Minister congratulated FPA Australia saying; “This Association has just helped the NSW Government deliver the biggest reform package around fire protection and safety the state of NSW has ever seen.”
“How do you safely shut off power to a system that is constantly generating electricity? How do you ventilate or navigate a rooftop that is completely covered with solar panels?” Mr Pauley’s NFPA colleague Chris Dubay, Vice President Engineering and Electrical, reiterated the need to closely monitor renewable energy in his paper which looked at the fire risks involved with storage of lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are the main method of storing renewable energy so understanding the associated fire risks is an increasing focus of investigation.
Local and international industry leaders and experts provided The Hon. Matt Kean officially important insights into issues and opening Fire Australia 2017. topics that are shaping the future of the fire protection, fire safety and HazMat industries. How those challenges are faced will have the most significant impact for community safety as it becomes more organised and professional.
Some of the highlights include: Jim Pauley President and CEO National Fire Protection Association (NFPA USA) As head of one of the leading fire protection peak bodies in the world, Jim Pauley speaks with great authority when he identifies the three biggest challenges; an ageing population, increased frequency and severity of bushfires and the management of the fire risk posed by a massively expanding renewable energy industry.
Renewable energy, predicted to play a major role in managing future energy needs, also presents issues for firefighters particularly with the high use of solar panels in residential and commercial applications. Australia, said Mr Pauley, had one of the highest levels of installation of residential solar panels in the world. Internationally there are an estimated 2.5 billion solar panels in use, so the scale of the issue is huge.
Al Ramirez Underwriters Laboratories (UL USA) UL is one of the world’s biggest researchers of fires, their causes, behaviours and effects. Al Ramirez presented on the fire spread characteristics associated with newer homes versus older ones. The research found that modern building materials and furnishings are often more flammable than older counterparts. Furniture in particular, is often created with materials that are petro-based, so when they start to burn they do so quickly and at high temperatures releasing dangerous combustible gases which add to the dangers for residents and to the risk firefighters face when they have to tackle such blazes. “We have synthetic materials being introduced to homes that weren’t there (in older homes) and older homes had a lot more natural fibres, natural fabrics,” Mr Ramirez said. “The introduction of synthetics, petroleum based materials, really influence that content that we see now.”
Jim Pauley, NFPA.
More than 25 per cent of Australia’s population will be aged over 65 by the year 2040 and, while we are a healthier group than ever before, increased age creates increased risk through age-related impairments to mobility, hearing and sight.
As a graphic demonstration, Mr Ramirez showed a video with two rooms, side by side. One, a ‘legacy room’ with older furniture and a ‘modern room’ with new furniture in an identical fire situation. While the new furniture was ablaze in less than three minutes spreading highly noxious fumes, the older furniture took over 20 minutes to reach full flame and burned far cleaner than the modern counterpart. Fire brigades aim to be on scene within seven minutes, but UL’s research shows even that might not be enough to protect occupants from fires involving modern furnishings.
To view photos from this year’s Fire Australia and to stay up to date with developments, visit www.fireaustralia.com.au. Fire Australia 2018 will be held in Brisbane. Dates and venue to be announced shortly.
New Members
The continuing growth of Fire Protection Association Australia’s membership continued into 2017 including with FPAS Accredited Members and FPAS Recognised Businesses.
Individual
VIC
NSW
Mr Sam Bugeja Mr Richard Franco Mr Anthony Pearce Mr Andrew Szyc
NT Mr John Kleeman
VIC Mr Bala Thuraisingham Mr Timothy Maynard
WA Mr Maurice Tong
Corporate Bronze (1-4 staff) ACT
Key Compliance
Firecert Westernport Fire Protection NB Essential Services Maintenance Pearl Fire and Electrical Services All State Fire Protection Eastfield Fire Protection
WA R1SK Consulting Bushfire Protection Australia Daysafe Training MCG Fire Services Bushfire Solutions WA Progressive Fire Maintenance
Corporate Silver (5-14 staff) ACT
NSW Hunter Fire & Safety Guthrie Electrical Services Survival First Response (Aust) NSK Solutions All Electrical & Fire Services North East Fire & Electrical ITD Fire Services FutureSafe Security Complete Fire Safety Services Complete Fire Supplies Auspark Fire & Electrical Services Advan Fire Services Deep Water Plumbing & Maintenance Theatre QC Ceasefire PFP Firepower Electrical DK Fire Protection VP Electrical & Air Conditioning
NT Band Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Fire Systems Specialists
QLD Thermal Covers Australia Fire Services Queensland
SA Bushfire Ready Australia
Paramount Fire Protection
NSW Defsys Fire Systems Dynamic Composite Technolgies Protec Contracting Kelly Fire
QLD Boss Building Maintenance
SA Identifire
NT Control Fire Services
QLD Auscoast Fire Services Pristine Plumbing and Fire Specialist Australia
Organisation Bronze (1-14 staff) ACT
Recovery Cell of Naval Technical Bureau
VIC
VIC Siemens Ltd Uptick
Catholic Education Office Ballarat
Upgraded Members Corporate Silver (5-14 staff) NSW Eversure Fire Protection Harris Environmental Consulting Ash Passive Fire Solutions Schiller Fire & Security Amber Fire Services Alpine Fire Safety
SA South East Fire Extinguisher Services
VIC Stainless Steel Wire & Mesh Excel Fire Protection Taylor Fire Protection
WA Safetytech Fire Services Critical Fire Protection & Training
VIC
Corporate Gold (15+ staff) NSW Independent Pipe Fabrication 360 Degree Fire Coastal Fire Protection Civil Fire
QLD Fyreguard
PAPUA NEW GUINEA Port Moresby Electrical
SA RNW Fire Services
TAS Parmic Fire Protection
VIC All Essential Fire & Security MJC Fire Protection Network Fire Systems
Metropolitan Essential Services IQ Fire
WA Central Fire Services Schlager Group Edge Security Professionals
Corporate Gold (15+ staff) NSW Smoke Control Systems Force Fire O’Neill & Brown Fire Services Sparks & Partners Consulting Engineers ADE Consulting Group Rabs Plumbing Services
PO Box 1049 Box Hill VIC 3128 T: (03) 8892 3131 E: member@fpaa.com.au W: www.fpaa.com.au
New FPAS Recognised Businesses NSW Catalyst Fire & Electrical Credible Building Technologies DDE Services Electrical Fire Security ENZCOM Far West Consulting Engineers Inovin
QLD Australian Fire Pump Services Opti-Mist Australia Roma Firefighting Equipment
Recognised Business
SA Eyre Peninsula Fire & Safety RNW Fire Services
VIC Runnymede Fire Services Select Essential Walker Fire Protection
WA Safetytech Fire Services
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