Inspection and certification of fire safety systems installation

Fire Pumpsets - I believe the QBCC has it's own licence class for this.
There are many variable requirements for these across Sprinkler/Hydrant systems and often installed non-compliant (Hydrant Pumpests more-so due to Plumbers installing typically off Consultant drawings).

Fire Extinguishers could do with a higher level of control via certification/declaration as the Fire "Tech's" that I've come across who do only Fire Extinguishers often just go off here-say instead of strict standard breakdowns that are verified by office supervisors or Fire Consultants --- the argument not requiring is they aren't a Suppression System (Sprinklers) or a Brigade System (Hydrants) - only a first instance method of Fire extinguishment via Personnel that may or may not be used depending if the user determines it safe to use at the time.

Air handling units being used in Fire Shutdown scenarios should perhaps have some higher level of certification/declaration that it complies --- Argument against this I think is less because if the Air Unit doesn't work and allows more oxygen through sections creating draft or greater fuel for the fire, things could go bad fast.

Plumbers should never be allowed to test any Fire System (Currently how QBCC rules), there are to many rules and regulations for them to understand without doing a 4 year apprenticeship solely focused on Fire Systems.

Only licenced Sprinkler Fitters should be allowed to test water based systems as they have installed them and understand the requirements - you can't troubleshoot systems if you've never installed one and fully understand the intentions of how they work.

QBCC do seem to have it right; Only an appropriate licenced Sprinkler Fitter/or/Fire Sparky can test their own discipline: Water Suppression/or/Alarms.

Routine testing logs as per AS1851, with a Form 72 sign-off yearly from a Fire Company & MP6.1 Occupiers Statement filled out by building owners.

Again no Plumbers should be allowed to certify any Fire System; allowing plumbers to install Hydrant Systems is just feasible due to the simplicity of those systems (They still manage to stuff it up; especially Pumpests feeding Hydrant Systems).

Only Sprinkler Fitters (Cert 3)(or Alarms Tech etc.) who have gained first hand installer experience and further educated with a Cert 4 should be allowed to Certify a Fire System (of appropriate licenced type).

Independent needs to be clarified strongly... Australia Standards (AS2118) no longer calls for it - however in QLD, the QLD Building Regulation (Section 22) does call for it, however is not worded the best and somehow seems to be not read by Building Certifiers.

Independent perhaps should be defined as a Third Party from the Installing Company (Certifiers sitting in the office of Wormald should not be able to certify the installation completed by their own workers - to big of a conflict of interest to 'just sign it off and look the other way' over non-compliances). - Eg: Wormald installs the System, but has to get a certifier from Chubb to come in and certify it - this places much greater responsibility on both parties to do things right.

From Q13 Answer:
Again no Plumbers should be allowed to certify any Fire System; allowing plumbers to install Hydrant Systems is just feasible due to the simplicity of those systems (They still manage to stuff it up; especially Pumpests feeding Hydrant Systems).

Only Sprinkler Fitters (Cert 3)(or Alarms Tech etc.) who have gained first hand installer experience and further educated with a Cert 4 should be allowed to Certify a Fire System (of appropriate licenced type).

From Q13 Answer:
Independent needs to be clarified strongly... Australia Standards (AS2118) no longer calls for it - however in QLD, the QLD Building Regulation (Section 22) does call for it, however is not worded the best and somehow seems to be not read by Building Certifiers.

Independent perhaps should be defined as a Third Party from the Installing Company (Certifiers sitting in the office of Wormald should not be able to certify the installation completed by their own workers - to big of a conflict of interest to 'just sign it off and look the other way' over non-compliances). - Eg: Wormald installs the System, but has to get a certifier from Chubb to come in and certify it - this places much greater responsibility on both parties to do things right.

From Q13 Answer:
Independent perhaps should be defined as a Third Party from the Installing Company (Certifiers sitting in the office of Wormald should not be able to certify the installation completed by their own workers - to big of a conflict of interest to 'just sign it off and look the other way' over non-compliances). - Eg: Wormald installs the System, but has to get a certifier from Chubb to come in and certify it - this places much greater responsibility on both parties to do things right.

This actually could be a smart way to do it... allows for 'buddies' with-in the Fire Industry from signing off each others work.
However the bad thing is the Building Owner/Applicant might be able to shop around for the dodgiest cheapest certifier and/or a 'buddie' of another guy.
Guess both situations are much of a muchness, so unsure.

Benefit of allowing Fire Company to engage a 3rd Party Independent is the routineness of knowing which documents (Form 71, Installers Statement etc.) need to be completed and issued - where as an Owner/Applicant who doesn't do it often would have a hard time understanding all the requirements creating delays which leads to pressure to just sign things off.

Maybe best to leave the Fire Company to source a 3rd Party Certifier due to common Industry knowledge.

To think they could perform a full inspection is a bit rich.
Doing a walk through themselves and confirming no obstructions to sprinkler heads and raising questions is definitely good however.

Building Surveyor doesn't know enough about Fire Systems to check things thoroughly.
Fire Designer should perhaps be used to confirm that any Alternative Solution will perform as intended.

No Plumbers competent in testing any Fire System.

Just like a MP6.1 Occupiers Statement.

Think I've covered most in previous questions...

Plumbers do not understand how to test/maintain or certify Fire Systems - they must not be allowed to do so or you will see a large further decline in works across the industry.
They often work off consultants drawings and never engage Fire Designers.

3rd Party Certification (Independent from Installation Company) is the way forward for new builds.

Licenced Fire companies for routine testing is essential (Fire Sprinkler Fitters for water based etc.) - having annual statements is a good way to go.