Questions about a Code of Conduct for Fire Safety Engineers
1. Do you agree with the proposed benefits of a Code of Conduct for Fire Safety Engineers?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Radio button:
Unticked
Unsure
Why?
While currently most that I engage with follow IFEG process, not all do, and there are some shortcuts taken.
2. Are there drawbacks to implementing a Code of Conduct for Fire Safety Engineers?
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Unticked
Yes
Radio button:
Ticked
No
Radio button:
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Unsure
3. Do you agree with the proposed scope of the Code?
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Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Radio button:
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Unsure
Questions about model guidance – fire authority role and triggers
4. Are there benefits to a nationally consistent role for fire authorities?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Radio button:
Unticked
Unsure
If so, what are they?
Certainty for building industry as to their required engagement with fire brigade.
Certainty for industry will simplify their development of fee proposals and tenders.
Certainty for industry will simplify their development of fee proposals and tenders.
What has the impact of lack of national consistency been on you and your work, if any?
Increased need for engagement with industry when normally interstate companies are working in Victoria.
5. How would you suggest improving the following proposed definition of the fire authority role?
How would you suggest improving the definition of the fire authority role, which is currently “During the building design process, the role of fire authorities could be defined as to provide advice on the development of Performance Solutions impacting the intervention of fire authorities at a building.”
All fire authorities have legal obligations through their enabling legislation for the life safety of building occupants. These obligations exceed the life safety requirements of the NCC. This could be seen as a failure of the NCC.
The statement above does not describe the full obligations or role of the fire brigade.
The statement above does not describe the full obligations or role of the fire brigade.
6. Do you believe the triggers for the involvement of fire authorities should be consistent across jurisdictions?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Radio button:
Unticked
Unsure
Why?
Certainty for building industry as to their required engagement with fire brigade.
Certainty for industry will simplify their development of fee proposals and tenders.
Certainty for industry will simplify their development of fee proposals and tenders.
Do you consider any of the jurisdictional models to be exemplary? If so, which jurisdiction?
None are perfect
7. What are the benefits of NCC clause-related triggers?
7. What are the benefits of NCC clause-related triggers?
Simple assessment of when fire brigade engagement needed.
8. What are the drawbacks of NCC clause-related triggers?
8. What are the drawbacks of NCC clause-related triggers?
Too simplistic - NCC is a performance based code.
Only the performance requirements need to be complied with - the trigger for fire brigade involvement should therefore come from these.
Only the performance requirements need to be complied with - the trigger for fire brigade involvement should therefore come from these.
If you agree with NCC clause-related triggers, do you agree with the list below, which was provided by the National Council for Fire and Emergency Services (AFAC)?
| CP1 Structural stability during a fire Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | CP1 Structural stability during a fire Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | CP1 Structural stability during a fire Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| CP2 Spread of fire Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | CP2 Spread of fire Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | CP2 Spread of fire Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| CP3 Spread of fire and smoke in health and residential care buildings Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | CP3 Spread of fire and smoke in health and residential care buildings Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | CP3 Spread of fire and smoke in health and residential care buildings Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| CP4 Safe conditions for evacuation Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | CP4 Safe conditions for evacuation Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | CP4 Safe conditions for evacuation Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| CP5 Behaviour of concrete external walls in a fire Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | CP5 Behaviour of concrete external walls in a fire Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | CP5 Behaviour of concrete external walls in a fire Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| CP6 Fire protection of service equipment Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | CP6 Fire protection of service equipment Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | CP6 Fire protection of service equipment Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| CP7 Fire protection of emergency equipment Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | CP7 Fire protection of emergency equipment Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | CP7 Fire protection of emergency equipment Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| CP8 Fire protection of openings and penetrations Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | CP8 Fire protection of openings and penetrations Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | CP8 Fire protection of openings and penetrations Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| CP9 Fire brigade access Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | CP9 Fire brigade access Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | CP9 Fire brigade access Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| DP4 Exits Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | DP4 Exits Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | DP4 Exits Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| DP5 Fire-isolated exits Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | DP5 Fire-isolated exits Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | DP5 Fire-isolated exits Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| DP6 Paths of travel to exits Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | DP6 Paths of travel to exits Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | DP6 Paths of travel to exits Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| DP7 Evacuation lifts Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | DP7 Evacuation lifts Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | DP7 Evacuation lifts Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| EP1.3 Fire hydrants Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | EP1.3 Fire hydrants Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | EP1.3 Fire hydrants Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| EP1.4 Automatic fire suppression systems Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | EP1.4 Automatic fire suppression systems Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | EP1.4 Automatic fire suppression systems Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| EP1.5 Fire-fighting services in buildings under construction Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | EP1.5 Fire-fighting services in buildings under construction Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | EP1.5 Fire-fighting services in buildings under construction Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| EP1.6 Fire control centres Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | EP1.6 Fire control centres Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | EP1.6 Fire control centres Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| EP2.1 Automatic warning for sleeping occupants Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | EP2.1 Automatic warning for sleeping occupants Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | EP2.1 Automatic warning for sleeping occupants Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| EP2.2 Safe evacuation routes Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | EP2.2 Safe evacuation routes Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | EP2.2 Safe evacuation routes Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| EP3.1 Stretcher facilities Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | EP3.1 Stretcher facilities Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | EP3.1 Stretcher facilities Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| EP3.2 Emergency lifts Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | EP3.2 Emergency lifts Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | EP3.2 Emergency lifts Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| EP4.1 Visibility in an emergency Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | EP4.1 Visibility in an emergency Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | EP4.1 Visibility in an emergency Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| EP4.3 Emergency warning and intercom systems Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | EP4.3 Emergency warning and intercom systems Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | EP4.3 Emergency warning and intercom systems Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| P2.7.5 Buildings in bushfire prone areas Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | P2.7.5 Buildings in bushfire prone areas Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | P2.7.5 Buildings in bushfire prone areas Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| P2.7.6 Private bushfire shelters Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | P2.7.6 Private bushfire shelters Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | P2.7.6 Private bushfire shelters Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
| GP5.1 Bushfire resistance Agree Radio button: Checked Agree | GP5.1 Bushfire resistance Unsure Radio button: Not checked Unsure | GP5.1 Bushfire resistance Disagree Radio button: Not checked Disagree |
Please provide your reasoning where you disagree.
Clause related triggers not my preference - but if so then all the above.
10. An alternative to an NCC clause-related trigger model is a risk-based model? What are the benefits of a risk-based model?
10. An alternative to an NCC clause-related trigger model is a risk-based model? What are the benefits of a risk-based model?
None
11. What are the drawbacks of a risk-based model?
11. What are the drawbacks of a risk-based model?
The reality of fire safety in buildings is that it is not needed until there is a fire.
Once there is a fire then all the risk based analysis does not mean a thing, and does nothing for occupant or firefighter safety.
Once there is a fire then all the risk based analysis does not mean a thing, and does nothing for occupant or firefighter safety.
Questions about model guidance – early advice
12. Do you agree there is a need for fire authorities to provide guidance at the conceptual stage of building design?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Radio button:
Unticked
Unsure
Why?
This is when changes to the design can be most easily and economically made.
The earlier in the design process that agreement is reached with all stakeholders, the more smoothly and efficiently the project will proceed.
The earlier in the design process that agreement is reached with all stakeholders, the more smoothly and efficiently the project will proceed.
If you agree with fire authorities providing guidance at the conceptual stage of building design, should this requirement be set out in legislation, occur at the request of the building designers or through another trigger?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Legislation
Radio button:
Unticked
At the request of the building designers
Radio button:
Unticked
Other trigger
13. Do you believe fire authorities should be advice authorities or consent authorities?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Unticked
Advice
Radio button:
Ticked
Consent
Radio button:
Unticked
Unsure
Why?
The fire brigade is the only building industry stakeholder without a direct or indirect financial stake in the project.
Fire brigade consent or refusal will be based solely on occupant and firefighter safety criteria. Therefore this should not be able to be easily ignored or over-ridden. The Victorian process has a sensible balance in this respect.
Fire brigade consent or refusal will be based solely on occupant and firefighter safety criteria. Therefore this should not be able to be easily ignored or over-ridden. The Victorian process has a sensible balance in this respect.
Questions about model guidance – education and experience
14. Do you agree that fire safety experts who assess applications on behalf of fire authorities should be similarly educated, competent and experienced as fire safety engineers?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Unticked
Yes
Radio button:
Ticked
No
Radio button:
Unticked
Unsure
Why?
Through intensive informal internal training by fire brigade fire engineers, I have enough ability to engage on, debate with, assess, and report on building fire engineering design.
Questions about model guidance – advice to industry
15. Should fire authorities provide guidance on their websites on any additional matters to help building designers meet the needs of fire authorities?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Unticked
Yes
Radio button:
Ticked
No
Radio button:
Unticked
Unsure
If yes, what should the advice cover as a minimum?
Design teams are required in part to adopt the most economical solutions so implementation of published fire authority guidance is limited.
Direct engagement with the fire brigade usually produces the most economical design while satisfying fire authority requirements.
Direct engagement with the fire brigade usually produces the most economical design while satisfying fire authority requirements.