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New Passive Fire Protection qualifications being developed
Two new qualifications are currently being developed to meet two distinct needs identified by the Competenz Fire Protection Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) - the National Certificate in Passive Fire Protection (Level 4), and the National Certificate in Passive Fire Protection (Routine Inspection) (Level 3).
The Level 4 qualification will be aimed at people in the fire protection industry who create and certify passive fire protection plans for commercial and residential buildings, usually on behalf of councils or private property owners.
As part of that process, these people must be able to conduct inspections, testing, and appraisals that comply with relevant sections of the Building Code - requiring a relatively high level of responsibility and aptitude.
"Currently there is no consistent approach or training pathway that people in the passive fire protection industry and their key customers, such as local councils, can look to as evidence someone is ‘qualified' to carry out this kind of work," says Competenz Industry Manager Vinod Naidu.
"The qualification would formally recognise the underpinning skills and knowledge sets needed to conduct the full passive fire protection certification process, to the legal standards that the Building Code demands and to nationally-recognised standards."
The Level 3 qualification is intended to cover the skills and knowledge sets required of those who conduct routine inspections against a building's passive fire protection plan.
"Once a building is certified, there are personnel who routinely inspect certified buildings against a checklist provided in the passive fire protection plan," says Vinod.
"This Level 3 qualification would recognise the skills required in this role, while also providing a clear pathway into the Level 4 qualification."
Vinod is currently working with the Fire Protection Association, Firetech and other relevant industry bodies to progress the qualification developments cohesively.
We will update you as more details are confirmed.
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