FPAS FSA Advanced Practitioner Course
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Pathway
About the course
This short FPAS FSA Advanced Practitioner Course with RPL is for experienced fire safety assessors and annual certifiers who inspect existing fire systems; assess compliance with the relevant legislation, codes and standards; and report on whether they continue to perform to appropriate fire safety standards.
The course recognises and validates your existing skills and knowledge and is designed for FPAS FSA practitioners who already hold a Diploma or higher-level qualification in engineering, construction, plumbing, electrical, fire safety or property services.
Are there any special requirements needed to take this FPAS course?
- Participants must be experienced annual certifiers / fire safety assessors and be able to submit evidence of having inspected and reported on a range of different types of buildings spanning several years.
- Participants require access to a personal computer or tablet to enable use of the on-line learning system.
COURSE INFORMATION
What does the course cover?
The FPAS course validates your skills and knowledge in the role of a fire safety assessor / annual certifier of fire protection systems. The assessments cover:
- Determining the requirements for fire systems in accordance with relevant legislation, codes and standards
- Reviewing fire systems plans, specifications and documents to determine the required level of performance
- Undertaking building inspections to identify the level of compliance and performance of fire systems
- Reporting on the findings of fire safety inspections
The Fire Protection Association of Australia (FPAA) set up the FPAS (Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme) for the benefit and sustainability of the industry. It is designed to ensure that all appropriately qualified practitioners have accreditation. It has gained recognition from Governments such as NSW.
How long does the course take to complete?
- The RPL pathway typically takes 3-6 months to complete.
- Participants are required to complete the course within 12 months of enrolling.
How is the course delivered?
- The RPL Pathway requires submission of current and valid evidence of completing fire safety assessment work across a range of building types and environments
- The RPL Pathway is delivered via a distanced-based delivery model using an online learning and assessment system.
- The RPL pathway for this course also requires you to complete knowledge assessments and assignments and undertake course work to complete parts of the course.
- Participants are supported throughout the RPL and learning process by our industry experts.
How does the course link to Licensing or Accreditation requirements?
- This course meets the FPAS application requirements for Fire Safety Assessment for 23 of the 36 fire safety measures for anyone who already holds a Diploma or higher-level qualification in engineering, construction, plumbing, electrical, fire safety or property services.
- Either this short course (for anyone who has completed an eligible Diploma or higher-level qualification), or the Diploma of Fire Systems Design (Annual Certifier) stream is a mandatory requirement for anyone who needs to be accredited in:
- Automatic fire detection and alarm systems (level 2)
- Automatic fire suppression systems (level 2)
- Fire dampers
- Fire hydrant systems (level 2)
- Mechanical air handling systems
- Smoke and heat vents
- Smoke dampers
Need help with licensing and accreditation requirements
- Each state and territory government determines the licence or accreditation requirements for fire protection work in their jurisdiction. Further information on these requirements can be found here.
- Need help? Let us demystify licensing and accreditation requirements and identify the training you require. Apply Now for a Training Plan.
What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that assesses an individual’s formal, non-formal and informal learning, combined with their experience to determine the extent to which the individual can demonstrate achievement of the required level of competency.
- RPL is ideal for experienced fire safety assessors who have acquired skills and knowledge working in the fire industry and through the completion of formal training and informal learning activities.
- RPL for the course requires the submission of current and valid evidence of completing fire safety assessment work across a range of building types and environments.
- Candidates are required to submit a portfolio of evidence as well as completing knowledge and skills assessments and assignments.
Am I eligible for RPL?
- The first step of the RPL process after you enrol is to assess your suitability for RPL. This is an important step as it ensures that you are enrolled in the most appropriate pathway to complete the qualification.
- Assessing your eligibility to complete the course using an RPL pathway involves:
- a review of your work history and experience
- consideration of any formal training courses and qualifications previously completed; and
- a review of your ability to submit a portfolio of evidence of work projects aligned with the course requirements.
- If your assessor determines that you are not able to meet the RPL requirements, you will be offered the opportunity to transfer your enrolment to a training course pathway.
Portfolio of evidence of requirements
To complete the RPL pathway for this course, you will need to provide evidence demonstrating your assessment of a range of buildings. The projects you submit will demonstrate a variety of buildings that were designed and built using different construction methods and modification histories.
You are not required to present every project you have worked on over the course of your career, only a selection which are determined by the following criteria:
- Demonstrate various ages of buildings.
- Use different versions of the NCC and Australian Standards (including pre-NCC regulations and standards and retroactive application).
- A variety of construction and modification histories.
- A project that covers each of these building types:
- commercial building
- factory
- residential nursing home
- high-rise building
If you cannot provide evidence covering all of the above criteria, alternative arrangements can be implemented.
For each project that you submit, you will be required to provide the following:
- Evidence of having obtained and evaluated baseline data to identify inspection requirements
- Evidence of having communicated with the client to obtain instructions and coordinate an inspection of the building
- Evidence of having inspected a building to assess the performance of fire safety measures
- Evidence of having presented an initial comprehensive report on the performance of fire safety measures that:
- compares baseline data with inspection outcomes
- identifies non-conformance issues
- details actions required to rectify issues
- Evidence of having determined that rectification works have been undertaken
- Evidence of having issued a final compliance report.
Can I enrol in RPL if I don't have all the above evidence?
- Your Portfolio of Evidence does not have to be based on work that you have completed prior to enrolling in the course.
- If you meet some of the above requirements, but are short in some areas, it is possible to enhance your portfolio with work examples that you undertake after you enrol.
- It is not unusual for an RPL candidate to have experience, but not be able to provide the evidence required by the qualification. If you don’t have the necessary evidence, you can use a current work task to create the evidence in a format that meets the requirements of the course.
- This approach makes RPL easier to achieve for some people. It relies on you using your existing skills and knowledge to prepare evidence that aligns with the expectations of the units of competency.
Other evidence requirements
In addition to the portfolio of evidence, you will be required to complete a range of assessment tasks that include:
- short answer questions to verify your knowledge
- conducting detailed research into fire systems technologies and components
- skills assessments to demonstrate understanding of the National Construction Code
Course Fees
RPL Pathway $6,500
Pay by Instalments on a Payment Plan∗
- $1,000 – Paid at enrolment
- Balance payable in instalments of $750 per month
∗ Conditions Apply – Refer Payment Plan Policy
Special Offer
Save 10%
Pay Only
$5,850
OFFER ENDS 31 DECEMBER 2022
Course outcomes
On successful completion of this course, participants will be awarded a Statement of Attainment for the following units of competency:
Unit Code:
Description:
BSBAUD513
Report on a quality audit
CPCCBC4012
Read and interpret plans and specifications
CPCSFS5014
Conduct annual fire systems certification inspections
CPCSFS5015
Assess documentation for annual fire systems certification inspections