The South Australian Government announced changes in June 2019 to the restricted classes of plumbing registration which cover individuals performing routine service work on fire protection systems. The changes reflect a proposal to the SA Government by Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia) in 2018, and are the outcome of negotiations between the Association, Consumer and Business Services (CBS) SA and the state’s Deputy Premier, the Hon Vickie Chapman MP.
Two new classes of restricted plumbing registration have been introduced with the changes, one covering routine service of fire hydrants up to six-monthly inspections and hose reels up to yearly inspections, and one allowing individuals undergoing training to conduct routine service work under supervision.
They complement a single existing class of restricted plumbing regulation in SA, which was introduced in 2017 and covers routine service of all fire protection systems connected to the mains water supply. This class has been amended to add the ability to repair some hose reel components, and remove one required unit of competency.
The SA Government has implemented a phase-in period for the new classes of registration, in consultation with industry.
FPA Australia was delighted with announcement of the changes, which are the end result of two years of negotiation between the Association and the SA Government after the introduction in 2017 of the restricted registration for routine service work.
“Following the 2017 restricted registration introduction, the Association has fought hard for a revised system that better aligned with industry practices and delivered improved community safety outcomes, despite opposition from other stakeholders who were against any changes being implemented,” said Chris Wyborn, FPA Australia’s General Manager of Training, Accreditation and Bushfire Services.
“These new restricted classes of registration do just that, and we would like to recognise the willingness of the SA Government and Minister Chapman to work with industry on an improved approach.”
CBS has invited FPA Australia to continue that collaboration, with an eventual extension of these new restricted classes of registration once the new routine service training package is available.
The scope of the new classes of restricted plumbing registration is summarised below, and further detail on qualification requirements is available on the FPA Australia website.
Existing class
Condition of registration:
Limited to routine testing and inspecting of fire hose reels, repair of hose reel components downstream of the gate valve and the six-monthly or more frequent testing and inspecting of other fire suppression systems specified by AS 1851.
Scope of work:
Inspecting or testing of a fire protection service consisting of water pipes and firefighting equipment (such as sprinklers, hoses and hydrants) that are connected to the mains water supply. It includes all testing of fire hose reels but does not include annual or greater testing – e.g. three-yearly testing of fire sprinkler systems or hydrants. It does not include installation or repair work other than the repair or replacement of fire hose reel components that are downstream of the gate valve.
New restricted class of registration
Condition of registration:
Restricted plumbing work limited to routine testing and inspecting of fire hose reels, repair of hose reel components downstream of the gate valve and testing and inspection of hydrant valves and booster assemblies up to six-monthly testing.
Scope of work:
Inspecting or testing of fire hose reels, hydrant valves and booster assemblies connected to the mains water supply, as specified by AS 1851. This includes:
- Six-monthly and annual testing of fire hose reels
- The repair or replacement of fire hose reel components that are downstream of the gate valve
- Inspection of hydrant valves and booster assemblies up to six-monthly testing
- It does not include installation or repair work, other than repair/replacement of hose reel components downstream of the gate valve. It does not include inspection or testing of pumpsets.
New supervised class of restricted registration
Condition of registration:
Restricted plumbing work limited to routine testing and inspecting of fire protection equipment under the direct supervision of a person registered to perform this work without supervision.
Scope of work:
Inspecting or testing of a fire protection service consisting of water pipes and firefighting equipment (such as sprinklers, hoses and hydrants) that are connected to the mains water supply. The work must be performed under the direct supervision (within sight and/or hearing) of a person holding a plumbing worker’s registration authorising them to perform the work without supervision. It does not include installation or repair work.
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